These are releases that have flown into the Fang’s Bites inbox today and should be posted before the night is out. So I’ll do these now to give me the rest of the night free so I can sleep later on.
First, ESPN is really happy about their ratings for Thursday’s Monday Night Football exhibition season opener.
Monday Night Football Preseason Opener:ESPN’s Most-Viewed Non-Monday Preseason Game Since 1994
Thursday night’s opening preseason telecast of ESPN’s Monday Night Football, a rematch of Super Bowl XLIII between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals, earned a 3.6 rating, representing an average of 3,567,000 households (4,755,000 viewers – P2+). It was ESPN’s most-viewed non-Monday preseason game since 1994 (42 total non-Monday games since Dallas-New Orleans on Aug. 25, 1994 — 4,280,000 HHs).ESPN’s game was the most-viewed program of the day (cable or broadcast) among all key male demos. Additionally, ESPN was the No. 1 network for the night (cable or broadcast) among all key male demos, P18-34, and P18-49; ESPN ranked 2nd for the night among households and viewers.ESPN’s new commentator team of Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Jon Gruden made its debut during the Steelers’ 20-10 victory. In addition, the telecast included breaking news coverage of the Philadelphia Eagles signing Michael Vick, which was reported by ESPN’s senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen.THIS WEEK ON MNFESPN’s MNF preseason schedule continues Monday, Aug. 17, with the Carolina Panthers visiting the New York Giants at 8 p.m. ET. The telecast will be preceded by a one-hour Monday Night Countdown pregame show.
CBS College Sports and CBS Sports combine for two releases on new announcing crews, new shows and SEC programming schedules.
PHILLIP FULMER, JASON SEHORN, RANDY CROSS, AKBAR GBAJA-BIAMILA AND DAVE RYAN JOIN CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK 2009 COLLEGE FOOTBALL BROADCAST TEAMFormer University of Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer, former New York Giants and University of Southern California defensive back Jason Sehorn, CBS Sports’ Randy Cross, former San Diego State and NFL defensive tackle Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and veteran play-by-play announcer Dave Ryan, join CBS College Sports Network’s announcer line-up for the 2009 college football season. The announcement was made today by Steve Herbst, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CBS College Sports Network.
“We’re thrilled to be adding top-level talent, who are well-known to fans across the nation, and bring exceptional experience and credibility,” said Herbst. “Our new announcers join an already outstanding veteran team for our most compelling college football programming schedule ever.”
Ryan and Sehorn become the announce team for the new slate of Army home games, as CBS College Sports Network and the Army Athletic Association recently announced an exclusive five-year agreement.
Fulmer joins as studio analyst on the Network’s various college football shows, including the new SEC TAILGATE show and SEC POST-GAME SHOW.
In addition, CBS Sports analyst Randy Cross and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila join CBS College Sports Network as analysts. Cross will call the Network’s slate of Navy games as well as serve as studio analyst on the weekly show INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Gbaja-Biamila serves as game analyst for various Mountain West Conference and Conference USA games.
Former Notre Dame and NFL offensive lineman Aaron Taylor returns to the Network as game and studio analyst on INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL. Taylor is paired with veteran play-by-play announcer Tom Hart, who enters his fifth season with the Network, to call Mountain West Conference and C-USA action.
Studio programming will be anchored by Adam Zucker, who is now in his seventh year with the Network, and CBS Sports’ Sam Ryan, who joins CBS College Sports Network for the college football season. Former University of Texas and NFL linebacker Brian Jones returns as a studio analyst, and teams with Fulmer to provide expert analysis and insight every Saturday throughout the season. Fulmer first debuted on the Network’s 2009 College Football Signing Day Show.
# # #
CBS SPORTS AND CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK COVER SEC FROM GAME OF THE WEEK TO TRADITIONS AND TAILGATING
CBS SPORTS BROADCAST OF “SEC GAME OF THE WEEK” BRACKETED BY CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK’S ON-SITE
SEC TAILGATE SHOW AND SEC POST-GAME SHOW
CBS Sports and CBS College Sports Network offer extensive coverage of SEC football each Saturday during the 2009 season. Beginning, Saturday, Sept. 19, CBS Sports showcases the top conference match-up, from the most celebrated conference, during its broadcast of the “SEC Game of the Week.” Kicking off coverage is CBS College Sports Network’s SEC TAILGATE. The live pre-game show originates from the site of CBS Sports’ “SEC Game of the Week.” After the game, SEC POST-GAME SHOW on CBS College Sports Network concludes the day.
CBS Sports kicks off the season with Tennessee at Florida (3:30 PM, ET). Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson, along with Tracy Wolfson reporting from the sidelines, serve as CBS Sports’ lead college football announce team. COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, CBS Sports’ pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, leads off the day each week with host Tim Brando and analyst Spencer Tillman.
SEC TAILGATE captures all the excitement, traditions and festivities from the various campuses and stadiums across the SEC, as well as previews the match-ups, providing highlights and news from games in-progress. SEC veteran announcer, Dave Baker, joins CBS College Sports Network to host the coverage from the site of the games. Baker will be joined each week by a local SEC legend, including players, celebrity alumni and radio and television personalities, bringing fans a fast paced and authoritative look at football and life in the SEC. CBS Sports’ Sam Ryan anchors coverage from New York with former Tennessee Head Coach Phillip Fulmer and Brian Jones serving as analysts.
Following the conclusion of the “SEC Game of the Week,” Ryan, Fulmer and Jones take over with SEC POST-GAME SHOW (7:00 PM, ET), providing an all-encompassing look at the day’s action, highlights and headlines from around the SEC.
Attached are the SEC programming schedules for CBS Sports and CBS College Sports Network.
* * * * *CBS SPORTS AND CBS COLLEGE SPORTS SEC PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
Sept. 12, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS CSept. 19, SEC Tailgate, 11:00 AM, ET – CBS C
Sept. 19, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Sept. 19, TENNESSEE at FLORIDA, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Sept. 19, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS CSept. 26, SEC Tailgate, 2:00 PM, ET – CBS C
Sept. 26, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Sept. 26, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Sept. 26, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS COct. 3, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 3, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 3, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS COct. 10, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 10, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK #1, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 10, SEC Tailgate, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS C
Oct. 10, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK #2, 8:00 PM, ET- CBS
Oct. 10, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 11:30 PM, ET – CBS COct. 17, SEC Tailgate, 2:00 PM, ET – CBS C
Oct. 17, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 17, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 17, SEC POST GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS COct. 24, SEC Tailgate, 2:00 PM, ET – CBS C
Oct. 24, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 24, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 24, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS COct. 31, SEC Tailgate, 2:00 PM, ET – CBS C
Oct. 31, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 31, GEORGIA-FLORIDA, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Oct. 31, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS CNov. 7, SEC Tailgate, 2:00 PM, ET – CBS C
Nov. 7, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Nov. 7, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Nov. 7, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS CNov. 14, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK #1, 12:00 NOON, ET – CBS
Nov. 14, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK #2, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Nov. 14, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS CNov. 21, SEC Tailgate, 2:00 PM, ET – CBS C
Nov. 21, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Nov. 21, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Nov. 21, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 7:00 PM, ET – CBS CNov. 27, ALABAMA at AUBURN, 2:30 PM, ET – CBS
Nov. 28, SEC Tailgate, 12:00 NOON, ET, CBS C
Nov. 28, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Nov. 28, SEC GAME OF THE WEEK, 3:30 PM, ET – CBS
Nov. 28, SEC POST-GAME SHOW, 8:30
PM, ET – CBS CDec. 5, SEC Tailgate, 12:00 NOON, ET – CBS C
Dec. 5, COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, 3:00 PM, ET – CBS
Dec. 5, SEC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, 4:00 PM, ET – CBSAll “SEC Games of the Week” will be announced six-to-12 days prior to their broadcast date.
The next two releases deal with golf. PGA.com could not have asked for better numbers for hits to its website for the PGA Championship.
PGA.com Posts Record-Setting for First-Round Coverage of the 2009 PGA Championship from Hazeltine National Golf Club
Site Sets Single-Day Unique Users, Live Video Streaming and On-Demand Video Records
Turner Sports, which has exclusive opening-round coverage of the 91st PGA Championship in Chaska, Minn., announced today that PGA.com’s traffic set a single-day site record with 1.4 million unique users.
The site featured full-round live streaming coverage of first-round leader Tiger Woods and his playing partners Padraig Harrington and Rich Beem. In addition to the record for unique users, PGA.com also delivered the second-highest total of single-day page views in its history, with 53 million. This trails only the second round of the 2007 PGA Championship (57.1 million page views).
On television, TNT’s overnight metered market ratings for its six hours of exclusive round one coverage (2 – 8 pm ET) enjoyed a 43% increase over last year (1.0 metered market rating vs. 0.7 in 2008). Overall, Turner Sports’ online golf portfolio, which includes PGA.com, Yahoo! and PIP streams, delivered 848,000 live player streams (+153% from 2008, +110% from 2007) and delivered a single-day, record-setting 1.1 million live player and on-demand video streams.
TNT returns to the airwaves today for an additional six live hours of exclusive, second-round coverage (2 -8 pm ET), including the entire round of Woods, Harrington and Beem. Ernie Johnson hosts alongside analyst Ian Baker-Finch, with reports from the course by Billy Kratzert (on-course reporter) and Jim Huber (essayist/interviewer). TNT’s coverage continues into the weekend on Saturday (11 am – 2 pm ET) and Sunday (11 am – 2 pm ET).
PGA.com will feature two marquee groups during the final two rounds, marking the first time the site will follow more than one group for four days of the event. In addition, PGA.com will also provide up-close footage of golfers’ play on challenging Par 3’s on holes #4, 8, 13 and 17, as well as a TNT Simulcast for the first two rounds.
PGA.com’s coverage continues today with four video streams, three live, exclusively through PGA Championship LIVE. Once again today the site will follow the threesome of Woods, Harrington and Beem (2:45 p.m. ET tee off), while fans chose through an online vote the second group of Anthony Kim, Adam Scott and Ryo Ishikawa (8:45 am ET).
The PGA Championship LIVE streams include:
· Marquee Group Follow – During all four rounds PGA.com will follow select groups during their rounds; on Thursday and Friday the first group will be selected by PGA.com, while fans can vote on a PGA.com poll to pick the second group. PGA.com announcers will include Marc Fein (play-by-play), Michael Breed (analyst) and Brian Katrek and Craig Sager (reporters).
· Par 3 – Watch the world’s best golfers play the challenging Par 3’s as PGA.com isolates #4, 8, 13 and 17 throughout the Championship.
· TNT Simulcast – A simulcast of the TNT television production will air on Thursday and Friday with an hour of bonus coverage from 1-2 p.m. (ET) followed by TNT coverage from 2 p.m.–5 p.m. (ET), allowing fans to follow along before they get home from work.
· Inside the Ropes – PGA Professional Michael Breed will be joined by Hazeltine National’s PGA Head Professional Mike Schultz to give hole-by-hole analysis of how players must play the course in order to win the coveted Wanamaker Trophy.
And here’s what you will see next week on Golf Channel.
COMING UP ON GOLF CHANNEL… Aug. 17 – 23, 2009
Golf in America Turns Spotlight on Justin Timberlake and Mirimichi
Solheim Cup Week on GOLF CHANNEL
Original Programming Premieres and Highlights
(All times eastern)
Golf in America
Video Preview: Golf in America – Justin Timberlake
Time: Tuesday, 10 -10:30p.m. (Special Time)
Host: Anthony Anderson
The eighth episode of the 10-week series will feature:
- Justin Timberlake / Mirimichi – Entertainment superstar Justin Timberlake has been making a name for himself in the golf business. He is tournament host for the Justin Timberlake Shriners for Hospitals Children Open, a PGA TOUR Fall Series event in Las Vegas. In July, Timberlake opened Mirimichi Golf Course – the first certified “Green” course in the U.S. – for play, near his hometown of Memphis, Tenn. Golf in America’s Brandel Chamblee visited with Timberlake and his parents during the construction of Mirimichi to discuss his passion for golf, the story behind their purchase of Mirimichi and future plans for the course where he learned to play golf and now owns.
· Turf Kids– The Oakland Turf Education Initiative (OTEI) is an outreach program designed to give inner city youth first-hand knowledge of the golf industry through the classroom, field trips and internships. Golf in America’s Jaymee Sire details the success stories through the program and visits with the youth and organizers at Metropolitan Golf Links near downtown Oakland, OTEI’s headquarters.
· Flight 1549 – On their way to an annual golf vacation in Myrtle Beach, S.C., a group of family and friends were aboard U.S. Airways Flight 1549 – the flight that landed in the Hudson River. Golf in America’s Todd Lewis visits with the group as they return to the site of the landing for the first time since the incident, and spends time with the group in Myrtle Beach for their vacation. The vacation was two months later than originally intended, but the group is closer than ever after the experience changed their lives forever.
Golf in America takes viewers coast-to-coast to discover never-before-told stories, larger-than-life characters and inspirational people in capturing the spirit of the game of golf. The series, hosted by film and television actor Anthony Anderson, chronicles stories in stunning HD from celebrities, such as Justin Timberlake and Donald Trump to everyday people across the country that are unified by the sport.
Playing Lessons from the Pros – PGA Champions
Time: Monday, 10 – 10:30 p.m.
“Hercules” star Kevin Sorbo joins PGA TOUR winner Chris Riley for a round of golf at Dragon Ridge Country Club in Las Vegas, Nev. Riley will show Sorbo how to increase length off the tee and will provide tips to lowering golf scores.
Golf’s Amazing Videos (New)
Time: Monday, 9 – 9:30 p.m.
Golf’s Amazing Videos returns with a new episode featuring Tiger Woods, Nick Faldo, Sergio Garcia and Lorena Ochoa. The episode also will feature amazing shots from the water, a tight lie from the roof of a skyscraper, a lesson on how to throw a club, bad celebrations and the best and worst dancing performances on the green.
Solheim Cup Week – News and Talk Show Programming Highlights
Live From the Solheim Cup
Live Airings: Tuesday, 2 – 3 p.m. (News Conferences)
Wednesday, 2 – 4 p.m. (News Conferences)/6 – 8 p.m.
Thursday, 1 – 2 p.m./1 – 1:30 a.m.
Friday, 7:30 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, 7:30 – 9 p.m.
Sunday, 10:30 – 11 a.m./4:30 – 6 p.m./12 – 1 a.m.
Surrounding GOLF CHANNEL’s 26 hours of live tournament coverage will be 14 hours of wrap-around news coverage throughout the week. Live From The Solheim Cup will provide viewers with all of the news from the first tee-shot to the last putt, including live reports, inside analysis and compelling features.
Solheim Cup Opening Ceremony
Time: Thursday, 6 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Host: Rich Lerner
Live coverage of the 2009 Solheim Cup Opening Ceremony from Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill. Sunday’s Live From the Solheim Cup news coverage at 4:30 p.m. ET will include The Solheim Cup Closing Ceremony.
Golf Central
Live Airings: Monday – Tuesday, 6 – 6:30 p.m./11:30 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Golf Central will recap the news and storylines from the previous week on all of the tours and preview The Solheim Cup, the Wyndham Championship and the JELD-WEN Tradition.
The Golf Fix
Time: Monday, 8 – 8:30 p.m.
Host: Michael Breed
GOLF CHANNEL’s fast-paced interactive instructional show will highlight call-ins and emails from viewers during the show and preview The Solheim Cup. GolfChannel.com also will include a bonus segment following the conclusion of the live show on Monday.
The Approach with Callaway Golf
Time: Tuesday, 8 – 8:30 p.m.
Host: Kraig Kann
Panelists: Alex Miceli/Andrew Magee
Highlighting the top storylines in golf from different perspectives, analysts from The Approach with Callaway Golf will recap the PGA Championship and preview The Solheim Cup and the Wyndham Championship in an entertaining and informative manner.
Grey Goose 19th Hole
Time: Wednesday, 8:30 – 9 p.m.
Host: Vince Cellini/Analysts John Hawkins and Jeff Rude
Guest: Annika Sorenstam
Grey Goose 19th Hole, the network’s fast-paced half-hour talk show will feature debates on the hot topics in golf coming out of The PGA Championship and will preview The Solheim Cup. Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam will join the show in-studio as a special guest to preview The Solheim Cup and break down the U.S. and European Teams.
That’s going to do it for tonight. I’ll be back with links tomorrow.
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