Carb Day Coverage Airs Friday on NBC Sports Network

NEW YORK – May 22, 2013 – NBC Sports Group presents nearly 30 hours of motorsports coverage this week including the Monaco Grand Prix live, plus practice, qualifying, F1 Extra, and two GP2 races. In addition, NBC Sports Network will present live coverage of the Indianapolis 500’s Carb Day, Indy Lights, a new episode of IndyCar 36, featuring Simona de Silvestro, and the Indy 500 Parade.

For the first time, Formula One’s famed Monaco Grand Prix will air live on network television Sunday, May 26 at 7:30 a.m. ET on NBC. Race day will begin with a live pre-race show at 7 a.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, and conclude with F1 Extra, NBC Sports Network’s half-hour post-race show, live from Monaco. Live coverage begins tomorrow, May 23, at 8 a.m. ET with F1 practice from Monaco. F1 qualifying will air live on Saturday, May 25, at 8 a.m. ET. In addition, NBC Sports Network will air two GP2 races, F1’s developmental series, at 12 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 26.

On Friday, May 24, NBC Sports Network presents live coverage of IndyCar’s Carb Day, the last practice before the race, with the return of renowned motorsports voice Bob Jenkins. Coverage begins at 11 a.m. ET, continues with Indy Lights at noon ET, and is followed by more Carb Day coverage. The premier of IndyCar 36 featuring record-breaking driver Simona de Silvestro airs at 10:30 p.m. ET Friday night.

Stadium Super Trucks will air at 12:30 p.m. ET and AMA Motocross will air at 3 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network on Saturday.

NBC Sports Network’s Motorsports Coverage (subject to change, all times ET):

F1 COMMENTATORS ON SITE IN MONACO: NBC Sports Group’s F1 announce booth will be on site to capture the unique glitz-and-glamor atmosphere of the Monaco Grand Prix. Leigh Diffey will serve as lead race announcer alongside veteran analyst and former racecar driver David Hobbs, analyst and former race mechanic for the Benetton F1 team Steve Matchett, and F1 insider and former journalist Will Buxton. Diffey will precede his work in Monaco by calling Indy 500 qualifying coverage.

The team participated on a media conference call today from Monaco and shared their excitement about this weekend’s upcoming race:

Rich O’Connor, producer: “To be able to tell the history, the stories and the challenges of this venue is something we’re really looking forward to this weekend.”

Leigh Diffey: “It’s something that has to be seen to be believed. I am still in awe. Wait till you see the view.”

David Hobbs: “You just can’t get your head around it. All the drivers here want to win this race.”

Steve Matchett: “It’s absolutely unique in the challenges it poses to the teams. Every corner around Monaco, they all have names, they all have history. It’s a race of legends.”

Will Buxton: “If ever there is a moment at which you became disillusioned with the sport, you are reminded of the majesty and splendor of this incredible sport, it is standing trackside here in Monaco with cars flying past you over 100 mph inches from your face. You can feel the working parts of the engine rise through your feet and your legs, up your spine, draw the breath out of your lungs as they fly past you. This place gives you a buzz for motorsports that nowhere else on earth gives you.”

CARB DAY COMMENTATORS: Legendary motorsports voice Bob Jenkins returns to the booth for Carb Day on Friday, May 24, filling in for Diffey, who will be at Monaco. Jenkins will be joined by Beekhuis and race analyst and former NASCAR driver Wally Dallenbach, Jr. Veterans Lee, Snider and Miller will manage the pits. Mike King will call Indy Lights on Friday, May 24, alongside Jack Query. Jenkins, Diane Willis and Lee will host Indy 500 Parade coverage on Saturday, May 25 at 5 p.m. ET.

INDYCAR 36: NBC Sports Network offers motorsports fans another episode of the all-access series IndyCar 36. This week the cameras follow driver Simona de Silvestro, who made history by becoming the first woman to earn a podium spot at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2006.

The NBC Sports Network original series is produced by IMS Productions and gives viewers an all-access pass into the life of a world-class driver in the middle of race season. The cameras will follow a driver for 36 hours during a race weekend providing a behind-the-scenes look at the on- and off-track activities of the stars of the IndyCar Series. The all-access 36 series also includes NHL 36, Fight Night 36 and F1 36.

Stadium Super Trucks will air on NBC Sports Network at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 25. Brian Till, Chuck Howard, and Kelli Stavast will host coverage.  

AMA Motocross will air live on NBC Sports Network at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 25. Jeff Weigandt, Jeff Emig, and Kelli Stavast will host coverage from Denver, Colo.

MOTORSPORTS ON NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA: NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will live stream the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday, May 26, qualifying on Saturday, May 25, practice on Thursday, May 23, as well as Carb Day and Indy Lights on Friday, May 24, and the Indy 500 Parade on Saturday, May 25. Coverage will be streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Coverage airing on:

• NBC will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra;
• NBC Sports Network will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs.

MOTORSPORTSTALK: MotorSportsTalk (@MotorSportsTalk) on NBCSports.com brings racing fans up-to-the-minute news, video and information on Formula One™, the IZOD IndyCar Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and all other motorsports racing from around the world. The site also serves as the destination for all news, analysis and video from NBC and NBC Sports Network productions of IndyCar and F1, including contributions from on-air commentators.

MotorSportsTalk’s content is provided by top racing journalists and expert analysts, including:

• Keith Collantine (@KeithCollantine), editor and creator of the F1Fanatic blog;
• Luke Smith (@LukeSmithF1) creator of the F1 site RichlandF1.com;
• Tony DiZinno (@TonyDiZinno), who has written for RACER Magazine and has covered IndyCar and NASCAR since 2006;
• Writer Christopher Estrada (@estradawriting) who has written for the Boston Globe, FoxSports.com, created the Indy Racing Revolution blog and is a contributor to IndyCar’s IndyCar Nation blog.

To explore the site, please visit MotorSportsTalk.com.nbcsports.com or www.NBCSports.com.

SOCIAL: Follow @MotorsportsTalk, @F1onNBCSports and @NBCSN on Twitter and “like” Facebook.com/NBC Sports for the most up-to-date news, videos and commentary about Formula One on NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network.

Commentator Twitter Chats – During the week of the Monaco race, F1 on NBC Sports commentators including @leighdiffey, @mrstevematchett, @mrdavidhobbs and @willbuxton will take part in various Twitter Chats allowing fans to get their questions answered from our very own experts.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

—NBC SPORTS GROUP—

This Marks NBC’s 31^st Consecutive Year as the Broadcast Home of the French Open

NEW YORK – May 22, 2013 – In the first year of a new agreement with the French Tennis Federation that keeps the French Open on NBC through 2024, NBC will present 27 hours of 2013 French Open, the most-ever network coverage of this major. NBC’s coverage begins this Sunday at Noon ET, with live opening-round coverage, and culminates with the Women’s Final on June 8 and the Men’s Final on June 9. In all, NBC will broadcast 27 hours from Roland Garros, including coverage on the first Monday of play for the first time (Monday, May 27).

Defending champion Rafael Nadal has won seven French Open titles (2005-2008, 2010-2012). Last year, Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic to surpass Bjorn Borg for the most men’s French Open championships in the Open era.

Maria Sharapova will defend her Women’s singles title this year. Sharapova is the sixth different woman in six years to win the French Open singles title.

COMMENTATORS: Host Ted Robinson anchors NBC’s coverage, joined by analysts John McEnroe and Mary Carillo. McEnroe and Carillo teamed to win the mixed doubles title at the 1977 French Open. This is NBC’s 31^st consecutive year televising the event.

FRENCH OPEN ON NBC: Following is the television schedule for NBC’s coverage of the 2012 French Open, which culminates with live coverage of the Women’s (June 8) and Men’s (June 9) Finals:

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA FRENCH OPEN COVERAGE

NBC Sports Live Extra — the NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will live stream NBC’s French Open coverage.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Coverage on NBC Sports Live Extra includes the Men’s and Women’s Finals, and live streaming coverage, across the country, of the second Women’s Semifinal on Thursday, June 6, and second Men’s Semifinals on Friday, June 7.

NBC AND THE FRENCH OPEN: In 1975, NBC became the first American television network to provide coverage of the French Open when the network signed a three-year deal with the French Tennis Federation. The tournament was covered by CBS from 1980-82 and returned to NBC in 1983, where it has remained since.

In August, 2012, NBC and the French Tennis Federation announced a multi-year, multi-platform extension that includes increased U.S. television coverage and increased digital rights for the French Open event through 2024. At the conclusion of this agreement, NBC will have served as the broadcast home of the French Open for 42 consecutive years.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

All times are listed as ET and are subject to change:

TONIGHT, May 21, 2013

NBC Sports Network’s coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET when the Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Ottawa Senators in Game 4 (Pittsburgh leads 2-1). Kenny Albert will manage play-by-play alongside analyst Brian Engblom from Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario.

Coverage begins on NBC Sports Network at 6:30 p.m. ET with NHL Live hosted by Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Keith Jones. Bill Patrick and Jeremy Roenick will host later in the evening.

VIEWERSHIP

• Last night’s Boston/ NY Rangers Game 3 was watched by 1.752 million viewers, making it the most-watched playoff game this season and the third-most watched Semifinal Playoff game ever on NBC Sports Network. The game peaked with 2.383 million viewers from 10-10:13 p.m. ET.

• Boston received a 16.09 HH rating, the highest local rating ever in the market for an NHL Semifinal game on NBC Sports Network.

-  In comparison to Game 1 of the series on NBC Sports Network, Game 3 was +23% (16.09 vs. 13.10).

- NBC Sports Network was the #1 rated network overall in Boston during the 7:30P-10:15P time period.

• New York averaged a 3.33 HH rating. NBC Sports Network was the #1 rated cable network in New York during the 7:30P-10:15P time period.

• Last night’s Los Angeles/San Jose Game 4 averaged 800,000 viewers. Los Angeles posted a 1.98 HH rating, +24% from the Kings’ 2012 Semifinal average on NBC Sports Network in the market (1.60).

• San Jose drew a 3.55 HH rating. NBC Sports Network was the #2 rated cable network in San Jose during the 10:15P-12:45A time period .

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the second consecutive year, and only the second time in the 96-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally.

OT Games:    20

*Joined-in-progress

NHL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS ON NBC SPORTS GROUP: BY THE NUMBERS

1,143                           Games broadcast by NBC Sports Group as of 5/21/13 since 2006*

28                                Potential Conference Semifinal games to produce

16                                NBC Sports Group NHL announcers and analysts on national broadcasts (includes studio)

5                                  Hard cameras, including 1 Super SloMo cameras

4                                  Mobile units

2                                  Robotic cameras

4                                  Production and engineering teams

4                                  NBC Sports Group television networks and platforms covering the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

2                                  Hand-held cameras

1                                  Super SlowMo cameras

1                                  Stanley Cup

*Includes NBC, NBC Sports Network, formerly VERSUS, and CNBC

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will stream all Stanley Cup Playoff games that air on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and CNBC, including the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. The vast majority of games will be live streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Games airing on:

• NBC will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra;
• NBC Sports Network will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs;
• CNBC will live stream exclusively through NBC Sports Live Extra via “TV Everywhere.”

DIGITAL COVERAGE

In addition to its live stream coverage, NBCSports.com’s ProHockeyTalk, will anchor NBC Sports’ online and mobile coverage of the NHL playoffs.

Fans that come to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule page on NBCSports.com/NHLonNBC will not only be able to see the weekly schedule updates, but also dive into a deep playoffs photo experience. Fans can engage with Twitter (@NHLonNBCSports) and Facebook (facebook.com/NHLonNBCSports) to receive the most up to date tune-in information, scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk. NHL Fans can join the conversation by using the #StanleyCup hash tag across every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com and follow us on twitter @NBCSportsPR.

– NBC Sports Group –

Bethesda, Md. (May 22, 2013) – Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, the region’s leading source of multiplatform sports coverage, has named veteran sportswriter Clifton Brown as Ravens Insider. In this position, the longtime Sporting News and New York Times National Football League reporter will lead coverage of the Baltimore Ravens for the network’s digital media platforms.

Brown, who has more than 30 years of experience as a sports reporter for major news outlets, including more than 10 seasons covering the NFL, will provide comprehensive Ravens news, analysis and features for CSNbaltimore.com and the network’s mobile and social media platforms. He will also make regular appearances on Geico SportsNet Central, the network’s daily news program, and contribute to Ravens Kickoff, Ravens Postgame Live and other Ravens programming.

“Clifton is an extremely experienced, successful and respected sportswriter that has more than a decade of NFL coverage to his credit,” said Comcast SportsNet Vice President of Digital Media Mark Lapidus. “His addition demonstrates our commitment to acquiring the most talented reporters to cover the region’s teams.”

Brown joins Comcast SportsNet after covering the NFL for the Sporting News for more than five years. Prior to that, he spent 19 years at the New York Times from 1988 to 2007, most recently as an NFL writer. During his tenure at the Times, he also served as the national golf writer, national NBA writer and as a beat reporter covering the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets. He also spent five years in the sports department at the Detroit Free Press, including time as beat reporter for the Detroit Pistons, after starting his career with the Boca Raton News.

Brown is the latest addition to Comcast SportsNet’s successful digital media department that operates two regional sports websites, CSNwashington.com and CSNbaltimore.com, and a portfolio of successful mobile and social media platforms. These properties feature exclusive written, video and interactive content produced by a team of talented Insiders – including Tarik El-Bashir, Chuck Gormley, J. Michael, Rich Tandler and Mark Zuckerman – reporters and producers.

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic – the official sports network of the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, D.C. United, Atlantic Coast Conference and Colonial Athletic Association – delivers more than 500 live sporting events per year, along with Emmy Award-winning news, analysis and entertainment programming, to more than 4.7 million homes throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Comcast SportsNet’s digital portfolio, highlighted by CSNwashington.com and CSNbaltimore.com, is the region’s leading source for online sports news and information.

NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 13 local networks that deliver more than 2,400 sporting events annually, along with breaking news and comprehensive analysis, to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes. The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CSS and SNY. NBC Sports Regional Networks also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming. For more information, see ComcastSportsNet.com.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com

www.CSNwashington.com

www.CSNbaltimore.com

NEW YORK – May 21, 2013 – “NHL Playoff Pass” on NBC Sports Group Press Box provides a quick daily overview of Stanley Cup Playoff coverage. It is published weekdays to preview the evening games. On Fridays, a weekend edition is posted.

All times are listed as ET and are subject to change:

TONIGHT, May 21, 2013

Coverage of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue tonight with a Conference Semifinal doubleheader on NBC Sports Network.  The New York Rangers host the Boston Bruins in Game 3 at 7:30 p.m. ET as they look to change the momentum on home ice (Boston leads 2-0). Dave Strader will call play-by-play alongside Emmy Award-winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire.

At 10 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network, the San Jose Sharks host the Los Angeles Kings in Game 4 (Los Angeles leads 2-1). John Forslund will serve as play-by-play announcer and will be joined by analyst Joe Micheletti.

Coverage begins on NBC Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET with NHL Live hosted by Liam McHugh, Mike Milbury and Keith Jones. Bill Patrick and Jeremy Roenick will host later in the evening.

VIEWERSHIP: Chicago-Detroit

Following are some viewership notes for last night’s Chicago-Detroit game:

• Game 3 of the Chicag-Detroit series (7:30P-10:27P) drew a 1.02 US HH rating, 1.631 million average viewers.

• The 1.631 million viewers last night was NBC Sports Network’s best-ever Western Conference Game 3 and most-watched Western Conference Game 3 on cable in 12 years, since Colorado-LA in 2001 (1.656 million).
• Among M18-49 and M25-54, NBC Sports Network ranked as the #2 most watched cable network from 7:30P-10:30P.
• The game peaked with nearly 2.2 million viewers (2.187) from 10P-10:15P.
• Chicago received an 8.47 HH rating, +20% from the Blackhawks’ 2010 Semifinal exclusive average on NBC Sports Network in the market (7.04).  In comparison to Game 1 of the series on NBC Sports Network, Game 3 was +4% (8.47 vs. 8.13).
  • NBC Sports Network was the #1 rated cable network in Chicago during the 7:30P-10:30P time period and the #2 network overall.
• Detroit received a 12.27 HH rtg, +14% from the Red Wings’ 2011 Semifinal exclusive average on NBC Sports Network in the market (10.78).  In comparison to Game 1 of the series on NBC Sports Network, Game 3 was +18% (12.27 vs. 10.41).
  • NBC Sports Network was the #1 rated network overall in Detroit during the 7:30P-10:30P time period.

Also of note, Sunday night’s Game 3 between Pittsburgh and Ottawa was watched by 1.401 million viewers, making it NBC Sports Network’s best-ever Semifinal game involving a Canadian team, and the best such game on cable in 20 years (1994’s Sharks/Leafs Game 7, 1.67 million viewers).

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the second consecutive year, and only the second time in the 96-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally.

OT Games: 20

*Joined-in-progress

EMMY AWARD WINNER

At the 34^th Annual Sport Emmy Awards, Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports Group’s “Inside the Glass” NHL analyst, was awarded his first career Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality – Sports Reporter. For more information on NBC Sports Group’s Emmy results, please click here.

NHL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS ON NBC SPORTS GROUP: BY THE NUMBERS

1,141                           Games broadcast by NBC Sports Group as of 5/20/13 since 2006*

28                                Potential Conference Semifinal games to produce

16                                NBC Sports Group NHL announcers and analysts on national broadcasts (includes studio)

5                                  Hard cameras, including 1 Super SloMo cameras

4                                  Mobile units

2                                  Robotic cameras

4                                  Production and engineering teams

4                                  NBC Sports Group television networks and platforms covering the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

2                                  Hand-held cameras

1                                  Super SlowMo cameras

1                                  Stanley Cup

*Includes NBC, NBC Sports Network, formerly VERSUS, and CNBC

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will stream all Stanley Cup Playoff games that air on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and CNBC, including the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. The vast majority of games will be live streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Games airing on:

• NBC will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra;
• NBC Sports Network will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs;
• CNBC will live stream exclusively through NBC Sports Live Extra via “TV Everywhere.”

DIGITAL COVERAGE

In addition to its live stream coverage, NBCSports.com’s ProHockeyTalk, will anchor NBC Sports’ online and mobile coverage of the NHL playoffs.

Fans that come to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule page on NBCSports.com/NHLonNBC will not only be able to see the weekly schedule updates, but also dive into a deep playoffs photo experience. Fans can engage with Twitter (@NHLonNBCSports) and Facebook (facebook.com/NHLonNBCSports) to receive the most up to date tune-in information, scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk. NHL Fans can join the conversation by using the #StanleyCup hash tag across every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com and follow us on twitter @NBCSportsPR.

– NBC Sports Group –

More Than $500,000 In Prize Money At Stake

El Segundo, Calif. and New York, N.Y. – May 21, 2013 – The world’s best professional beach volleyball players will descend on Long Beach, Calif., July 22-28 for the Asics World Series of Beach Volleyball.  The event is the first Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) sanctioned Grand Slam tournament in the United States since 2003, and will include the inaugural World Series Cup, a special competition that will feature the top U.S. men’s and women’s teams competing against the best teams from around the world.  NBC, NBC Sports Network and Universal Sports Network will provide more than 20 hours of programming of the competitions, including telecasts of the Men’s and Women’s Grand Slam Finals and World Series Cup Finals.

Coverage begins Thursday, July 25 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network with the Women’s Grand Slam Quarterfinals, and will continue through the weekend. The World Series Cup Women’s Finals will air Saturday, July 27 at 4 p.m. ET on NBC, with the Men’s Finals airing Sunday, July 28 at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC. In addition to programming on NBC and NBC Sports Network, Universal Sports Network will also provide more than 13 hours of coverage of the event.

NBC Sports Group, the FIVB, USA Volleyball and Management Plus Enterprises are partnering on the event, which will offer more than $500,000 in total prize money.  In addition to title sponsor Asics, Bud Light, Paul Mitchell, Sabra, Barefoot Wine, and Mikasa have also signed on as sponsors.

The Asics World Series of Beach Volleyball will be part of the prestigious FIVB annual World Tour, which features 10 Grand Slam events as well as the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships. It is the 10th FIVB event ever held in the United States, the fifth in Southern California and the first since the World Tour visited Southern California in 2003.

“The Asics World Series of Beach Volleyball will be an extraordinary beach volleyball and beach culture experience,” said event creator and promoter Leonard Armato.  “Not only will we have the best players in the world competing as they did in the Olympic Games, but we will go beyond that by incorporating the highest level of four-person and six-person beach volleyball. Finally, we will also be integrating a beach music festival throughout the event.”

“We are excited to bring an officially sanctioned FIVB event back to the United States for the first time in almost 10 years,” said Rob Simmelkjaer, Senior Vice President, NBC Sports Ventures and International. “Beach volleyball was tremendously successful during the 2012 London Olympics, and the Asics World Series of Beach Volleyball will be a compelling event.”

“We are very pleased to return to the traditional home of beach volleyball in the United States and California,” FIVB President Ary Graca said. “The Asics World Series of Beach Volleyball Long Beach will be one of 10 Grand Slam events for what will be a dynamic beach volleyball season that reaches all the major volleyball countries of the world, ensuring beach volleyball has a global presence and bright future. We are also excited to have NBC, NBC Sports Network, and Universal Sports as our telecast partners and look forward to working together as we did at the Olympic Games where beach volleyball was such a resounding success.”

“USA Volleyball is very pleased that an FIVB Beach Volleyball Grand Slam Event will be returning to the United States for the first time since 2003,” said USA Volleyball Chief Executive Officer Doug Beal. “The partnership that has been forged between the FIVB, Management Plus Enterprises and NBC Sports Group creates a dynamic showcase for beach volleyball to a global audience.”

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

Viewership up 20% from Last Year’s Preakness

NEW YORK – May 21, 2013 – NBC Sports’ coverage of Saturday’s Preakness Stakes drew 9.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched Preakness since 2009, and the fourth most-watched dating back to 1990. The viewership for the race is up 20 percent from last year’s Preakness (8.1 million), according to official national data provided today by The Nielsen Company.

Saturday’s race (5:50-6:39 p.m. ET), won by Oxbow, with jockey Gary Stevens, is the most-watched Preakness Stakes since 2009 when super-filly Rachel Alexandra captivated the country by defeating Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird (10.9 million). It is the fourth most-watched Preakness dating back to 1990, surpassed only by the aforementioned 2009 race, the 2006 Preakness, which featured Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro (10.1 million), and the 2004 Preakness, won by Smarty Jones (11.6 million).

• The household rating of 5.9/14 is up 13 percent from last year’s race (5.2/13), the highest since 2009 (6.8/16), and the second best since 2006 (6.6/16).

• NBC Sports Network’s two-hour pre-race show (2:30-4:40 p.m. ET) drew 466,000 viewers, a gain of 99 percent from last year (234,000).

The Preakness viewership gains follow the Kentucky Derby, which drew 16.2 million viewers on NBC, making it the second most-watched Kentucky Derby since 1989. The viewership was up nine percent from last year’s Derby (14.8 million) and up 12 percent from the Derby in 2011 (14.5 million).

PREAKNESS A RATINGS SUCCESS ON NBC:

Since NBC began broadcasting the Preakness in 2001, every Preakness telecast on NBC over that period has attracted more viewers than any Preakness telecast on ABC in the previous eight years.  Viewership for the Preakness is up an average of 61% in the 13 years on NBC compared to the previous eight years on ABC.

PREAKNESS ON NBC (2001-2013)                     

PREAKNESS ON ABC (1993-2000)

TOP METERED MARKETS FOR 2013 PREAKNESS STAKES (Race Portion)

BELMONT ON NBC SPORTS, JUNE 8: In three weeks, NBC Sports Group will present 6½ hours of coverage of the Belmont Stakes from Belmont Race Track in Elmont, N.Y. Coverage begins Friday, June 7 at 4 p.m. ET and continues with the Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 8.

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–

CSN to carry LIVE coverage of all four Crosstown battles (May 27-28 at U.S. Cellular Field & May 29-30 at Wrigley Field); coverage team to include Harrelson, Stone, Kasper, Deshaies, Melton, Hollandsworth, Kaplan & Garfien!

New ‘Crosstown Clash’ Twitter battle for northside-southside fans featuring CSN baseball gurus Kaplan (Cubs) vs. Garfien (White Sox)

CSNChicago.com to also provide LIVE video stream of post-game press conferences, plus detailed “Crosstown Cup” analysis via ‘CubsTalk’ & ‘WhiteSoxTalk,’

along with numerous feature stories & in-game “Tweets” from Kaplan, Garfien, Mooney, Hayes and more!

Chicago, IL (May 21, 2013) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs, is ready jump start the annual southside-northside rivalry in a big way with expanded, LIVE coverage of ALL FOUR GAMES of the “Crosstown Cup” series beginning Memorial Day (Monday, May 27).  In addition, fans from both sides of town can look forward to heating up the rivalry all this week via social media with specialized Cubs/Sox interactive Twitter handles, plus – CSNChicago.com will be there to provide dedicated 24/7 coverage of this always-entertaining city series.

Comcast SportsNet’s “Crosstown Cup” coverage gets underway on Memorial Day (Monday, May 27) with an expanded, one-hour edition of Cubs Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Papa John’s at 5:00 PM CT LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field.  The one-hour special, hosted by CSN’s Cubs studio team of David Kaplan & Todd Hollandsworth, along with CSN’s White Sox studio team of Chuck Garfien & Bill Melton, will feature a detailed series preview, along with special guests representing both teams.  First pitch coverage of this “Cubs telecast” on CSN begins at 6:00 PM featuring Len Kasper & Jim Deshaies with the game call.  Immediately following the game, fans can look forward to a complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences, player interview and much more on Cubs Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois.

Tuesday’s (May 28) game at U.S. Cellular Field will be a “White Sox telecast” on Comcast SportsNet featuring the announcing tandem of Ken “Hawk” Harrelson & Steve Stone; White Sox Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Subaru begins at 6:30 PM, first pitch coverage begins at 7:00 PM, which will be followed by White Sox Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Orland Park Nissan immediately following the game.

The “Crosstown Cup” series then shifts to the northside for the final two games with the Wed, May 29 telecast being at “Cubs telecast” on CSN and Thu, May 30 game being a “White Sox telecast.” Pre-game coverage both days gets underway at 12:30 PM with first pitch set for 1:20 PM.  NOTE: The Wednesday, May 29 edition of “Cubs Pre-Game Live” will take place outside of Wrigley Field near the world-famous red marquee sign.  Comcast SportsNet’s complete “Crosstown Cup” coverage schedule appears at the end of this release.

Among the feature stories airing on editions of “Cubs/Sox Pre-Game Live” and/or “SportsNet Central” during “Crosstown Cup” week include a piece on the Hairston & Bell families and how their multiple generations of baseball history have come together in Chicago; an interview with a Chicago Heights die-hard Cubs fan who has team legend/Baseball Hall of Famer Ron Santo’s #10 tattooed on his head; a White Sox closing pitcher feature from Chuck Garfien on current stopper Addison Reed and his current bullpen coach, all-time White Sox saves leader Bobby Thigpen…plus, a brand new edition of “Big Hurt TV” will debut as White Sox legend/current studio analyst Frank Thomas takes a ride on the CTA’s red line with Garfien to show fans the ease of getting to U.S. Cellular Field during the train line’s re-construction period.

From a social media perspective, Comcast SportsNet will be heating up the Cubs-Sox rivalry on Twitter beginning THIS WEEK as CSN’s resident baseball gurus David Kaplan (Cubs) and Chuck Garfien (White Sox) will be asking their followers to showcase their team allegiance in the “Crosstown Clash: Kap vs. Chuck – Twitter War for Cubs and Sox Fans.  To get interactive, fans of both teams are urged to utilize the respective Cubs/Sox Twitter hashtags #TeamKap or #TeamChuck to post comments and/or send in their team pride photos all this week leading up to the Crosstown opener on Monday night, May 27.  Kaplan and Garfien will be vying for the most overall mentions and, of course, bragging rights…plus – a few lucky followers who participate in this Twitter battle will also receive a CSN prize pack!

In addition, Comcast SportsNet’s website, CSNChicago.com, will provide even more exclusive “Crosstown Cup” content including the following highlights:

• CSNChicago.com will stream EVERY “Crosstown Cup” press conference LIVE providing insider access to White Sox manager Robin Ventura and Cubs manager Dale Sveum addressing the media as it happens.

• In Game Live – a seamless social and interactive second screen experience around every “Crosstown Cup” telecast – extends the game from the TV screen to the tablet, mobile phone and PC. In Game Live combines state-of-the-art infographics and data visualization of real-time statistics and game info with rich social interactivity.

• Complete coverage of the “Crosstown Cup” 24/7 from CSNChicago.com Cubs Insider Patrick Mooney (@CSNMooney), White Sox Insider Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN), plus – additional coverage provided by CSN “Pre/Post Game Live” hosts Chuck Garfien (@ChuckGarfien) and David Kaplan (@thekapman).  CSNChicago.com digital baseball producers Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) and JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) will also be providing game day reports, analysis and features.  Mooney and Hayes will also profile the “13 Most Influential People in Chicago Baseball”

• “Cubs Pulse” & “White Sox Pulse” presented by AT&T U-verse  — a one-stop social media hub that reveals the latest trending topics and player buzz from Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Plus, “Cubs/White Sox Pulse” aggregates all player tweets from both teams, along with fan tweets that utilize the hashtag #CrosstownCup, along #CubsTalk & #WhiteSoxTalk.  The most intriguing fan comments to be featured on “White Sox/Cubs Post Game Live.”

• ‘Cubs Talk’ (@CubsTalkCSN)  and ‘White Sox Talk’ (@WhiteSoxTalkCSN) will offer news, views and analysis from Mooney, Hayes, Garfien, Kaplan, Andracki and Stankevitz, as well as other CSNChicago.com contributors.

Note Comcast SportsNet’s full coverage breakdown for the upcoming White Sox vs. Cubs “Crosstown Cup” series:

MONDAY, MAY 27

5:00 PM – Cubs Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Papa John’s – Expanded, one hour, special edition pre-game show LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field

6:00 PM – CUBS at WHITE SOX (L) – “Cubs telecast” featuring Len Kasper & Jim Deshaies

9:00 PM – Cubs Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois (time approx.) – complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences and player interviews

9:30 PM/10:00 PM/10:30 PM – GMC SportsNet Central – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports

12:00 AM – SportsNet Central presented by CLR – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports

12:30 AM – Cubs at White Sox (game replay)

TUESDAY, MAY 28

5:00 PM – SportsTalk Live presented by Captain Morgan – Special edition pre-game discussion & analysis with host David Kaplan and special guests LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field

6:00 PM – SportsNet Central presented by AT&T U-Verse – Even more pre-game coverage LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field

6:30 PM – White Sox Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Subaru – Special edition pre-game show LIVE from U.S. Cellular Field

7:00 PM – CUBS at WHITE SOX (L) – “White Sox telecast” featuring Ken “Hawk” Harrelson & Steve Stone

9:45 PM – White Sox Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Orland Park Nissan (time approx.) – complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences and player interviews

10:00 PM/10:30 PM – GMC SportsNet Central – Full Crosstown highlights, along with complete recap/highlights from the day in sports

12:00 AM – SportsNet Central presented by CLR – Full Crosstown highlights, along with complete recap/highlights from the day in sports

1:30 AM – Cubs at White Sox (game replay)

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29

12:30 PM – Cubs Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Papa John’s – Expanded, special edition pre-game show LIVE from just outside the ballpark near Wrigley Field’s world-famous red marquee sign

1:20 PM – WHITE SOX at CUBS (L) – “Cubs telecast” featuring Len Kasper & Jim Deshaies

4:30 PM – Cubs Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois (time approx.) – complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences and player interviews

5:30 PM – SportsTalk Live presented by Captain Morgan – Post-game discussion & analysis with special guests and host David Kaplan

6:30 PM – SportsNet Central presented by AT&T U-Verse – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports

7:00 PM – White Sox at Cubs (game replay)

10:00 PM & 10:30 PM – GMC SportsNet Central – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports

THURSDAY, MAY 30

12:30 PM – White Sox Pre-Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Subaru – Expanded, special edition pre-game show LIVE from Wrigley Field

1:20 PM – WHITE SOX at CUBS (L) – “White Sox telecast” featuring Ken “Hawk” Harrelson & Steve Stone

4:30 PM – White Sox Post Game Live: Crosstown Cup presented by Orland Park Nissan (time approx.) – complete game recap/analysis, plus live post-game press conferences and player interviews

5:30 PM – SportsTalk Live presented by Captain Morgan – Post-game discussion & analysis with special guests and host David Kaplan

6:30 PM – SportsNet Central presented by AT&T U-Verse – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports

7:00 PM – White Sox at Cubs (game replay)

10:00 PM & 10:30 PM – GMC SportsNet Central – Full Crosstown recap, along with the latest news/highlights from the day in sports

ALL TIMES CENTRAL TIME

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

NBC Sports Regional Networks, part of the NBC Sports Group, consists of 13 local networks that deliver more than 2,400 sporting events annually, along with breaking news and comprehensive analysis, to more than 50 million cable and satellite homes.  The NBC Sports Regional Networks are: Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, Comcast SportsNet California, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, Comcast SportsNet New England, Comcast SportsNet Northwest, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, CSS and SNY.  NBC Sports Regional Networks also manages NECN (New England Cable News), the nation’s largest regional news network, and The Comcast Network, based in Philadelphia and Washington, which delivers community-oriented programming.  For more information, visit CSNChicago.com or ComcastSportNet.com.  For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com.                                                  

####

NBC Sports Network will serve as the primary home for Conference Semifinal coverage, offering one or two games virtually every night. When necessary, CNBC will also provide live coverage in primetime. NBC will present exclusive afternoon coverage during the weekend of May 18-19, and a primetime game on Saturday, May 25, if necessary. In addition, more Stanley Cup Playoff games are being live streamed than ever before. For more information on NBC Sports Group’s overall NHL Playoff coverage, please click here.

All times are listed as ET and are subject to change: 

TONIGHT, May 20

Coverage of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue tonight with Conference Semifinal action at 7:30 p.m. ET when the Detroit Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks on NBC Sports Network (series tied 1-1). Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick will call play-by-play alongside analyst Eddie Olczyk and Emmy Award-winning ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Pierre McGuire at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich.

Coverage begins on NBC Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET with NHL Live hosted by Bill Patrick, Mike Milbury and Jeremy Roenick.

Two Game 5s have officially been announced by the NHL. Friday night, Pittsburgh will host Ottawa at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network. Coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. with NHL Live. On Saturday, Chicago hosts Detroit in primetime on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.

Updated Semifinal Conference Schedule (all times listed as ET and subject to change):

VIEWERSHIP: SUNDAY GAMES SET LOCAL RATINGS RECORDS

Although final national ratings are not yet available for yesterday’s games, many local market ratings are complete. Boston and Pittsburgh set local records for Conference Semifinal games:

•  NHL Playoffs on NBC (3-6P; NYR-Bos) scored a 15.8 HH rating in Boston, NBC’s best local rating ever for a Semifinal game in the market.
• NBC Sports Network’s NHL Semifinal game (7:30-11:45P; Pitt-Ott) posted a 25.6 HH rating in Pittsburgh, the highest local rating ever in the market for an NHL Semifinal game on NBCSN.

GAMES TELEVISED SO FAR

For the second consecutive year, and only the second time in the 96-year history of the NHL, every Stanley Cup Playoff game will be televised nationally.

OT Games: 20

*Joined-in-progress

EMMY AWARD WINNER

At the 34^th Annual Sport Emmy Awards, Pierre McGuire, NBC Sports Group’s “Inside the Glass” NHL analyst, was awarded his first career Sports Emmy for Outstanding Sports Personality – Sports Reporter. For more information on NBC Sports Group’s Emmy results, please click here.

NHL CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS ON NBC SPORTS GROUP: BY THE NUMBERS 

1,140                           Games broadcast by NBC Sports Group as of 5/19/13 since 2006*

28                                Potential Conference Semifinal games to produce

16                                NBC Sports Group NHL announcers and analysts on national broadcasts (includes studio)

5                                  Hard cameras, including 1 Super SloMo cameras

4                                  Mobile units

2                                  Robotic cameras

4                                  Production and engineering teams

4                                  NBC Sports Group television networks and platforms covering the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs

2                                  Hand-held cameras

1                                  Super SlowMo cameras

1                                  Stanley Cup

*Includes NBC, NBC Sports Network, formerly VERSUS, and CNBC

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA

NBC Sports Live Extra — NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, and tablets — will stream all Stanley Cup Playoff games that air on NBC, NBC Sports Network, and CNBC, including the Stanley Cup Final for the first time. The vast majority of games will be live streamed via “TV Everywhere,” the media industry’s effort to make quality content available to authenticated customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms.

For desktops, NBC Sports Live Extra can be accessed at NBCSports.com/liveextra. The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobile devices and tablets is available at the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, and on select Android handset and tablet devices within Google Play.

Games airing on:

• NBC will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra;
• NBC Sports Network will live stream to PCs, mobile devices and tablets through NBC Sports Live Extra, and to the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, and telco services, via “TV Everywhere,” which is available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of participating MVPDs;
• CNBC will live stream exclusively through NBC Sports Live Extra via “TV Everywhere.”

DIGITAL COVERAGE

In addition to its live stream coverage, NBCSports.com’s ProHockeyTalk, will anchor NBC Sports’ online and mobile coverage of the NHL playoffs.

Fans that come to the Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule page on NBCSports.com/NHLonNBC will not only be able to see the weekly schedule updates, but also dive into a deep playoffs photo experience. Fans can engage with Twitter (@NHLonNBCSports) and Facebook (facebook.com/NHLonNBCSports) to receive the most up to date tune-in information, scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk. NHL Fans can join the conversation by using the #StanleyCup hash tag across every game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com and follow us on twitter @NBCSportsPR.

– NBC Sports Group –

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–