FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, April 7th, 2015
PREMIER LEAGUE ROAD TRIP TO U.K. THIS WEEKEND– LOWE, EARLE, MARTINO & MUSTOE PREVIEW NBC SPORTS GROUP’S FULL ON-SITE COVERAGE ON APRIL 11-13
“[This weekend] we may witness the win that keeps Burnley in the Premier League, it may be a historic weekend for us.” – Kyle Martino on Saturday’s Burnley-Arsenal Match (12:30 p.m. ET, NBC)
“Turf Moor is what English football is all about. It has the heart of English football.” – Rebecca Lowe on Site of Burnley-Arsenal
“It might be the day that Manchester United keep their noisy neighbors quiet.” – Robbie Earle on Sunday’s Manchester Derby (11 a.m. ET, NBCSN)
“Anfield, when I played, was the most special place to play, for atmosphere, for history.” – Robbie Mustoe on Site of Monday’s Liverpool-Newcastle Match (3 p.m. ET, NBCSN)
Roger Bennett Hosts Premier League Download: The Goalkeepers’ Union Sunday Following the Manchester Derby on NBCSN
All Matches Available on NBC Sports Live Extra
STAMFORD, Conn. – April 7, 2015 – For the first time since NBC Sports Group kicked off its Premier League coverage in August 2013, the entire Premier League team will work together on-location in the United Kingdom on April 11-13. Coverage includes six on-site studios, with in-stadium and pitch-side locations at Turf Moor for Burnley-Arsenal on Saturday, April 11, Old Trafford for the Manchester Derby on Sunday, April 12, and Anfield for Liverpool-Newcastle on Monday, April 13. Host Rebecca Lowe and analysts Robbie Earle, Kyle Martino and Robbie Mustoe will join NBC’s UK-based team of Arlo White, Lee Dixon, Graeme Le Saux and Steve Bower for more than 18 hours of live on-site Premier League coverage.
REBECCA LOWE, KYLE MARTINO, ROBBIE EARLE & ROBBIE MUSTOE PREVIEW ON-SITE PREMIER LEAGUE COVERAGE
What they are most looking forward to headed into the weekend:
Robbie Earle: “Seeing the game at real speed. Having been in the U.K., watched and played in the Premier League, there’s an appreciation that’s so much different when you’re actually live and close to the action, especially pitch-side.”
Robbie Mustoe: “It’s going to be so special to be in the stadiums for the games. We’ll cover all of the games that we normally cover, but you’re so close to the action to take in the atmosphere, to take in the visuals of the passionate fans in the Premier League – it going to be great. I’ve only played in these stadiums. I haven’t been there to watch a game, as a spectator or broadcaster, so I’m looking forward to take it all in.”
Rebecca Lowe: “I’m looking forward to remembering the atmosphere of a ground, especially the ones that we’re going to; all three are really different both outside the ground and inside the stadium. I’m also looking forward to getting a pie at Burnley…and giving one to Kyle who has never had one.”
Kyle Martino: “When you walk into an old stadium, Wrigley Field, or any of the old, iconic stadiums in the United States, even though you’ve been there before, it has this sort of magic and there’s this texture to it that’s almost like going back in time. I’ve been to Old Trafford, but this will be my first time at Anfield, so I am really looking forward to stepping onto the ground that I’ve seen on television so many times.”
Rebecca Lowe: “I’m looking forward to seeing Kyle see Anfield for the first time.”
Robbie Earle: “Yeah, Kyle might cry by the way.”
What U.S. viewers should know about the atmosphere at Old Trafford, Anfield and Turf Moor:
Kyle Martino: “Old Trafford is so interesting, because you come through these tiny little turnstiles, and when you go up the stairs and you get your first glance at the stadium, the stands are absolutely a mile-high. You see this field, and the grass arches up, it’s almost like a stage. You can see why they call it the ‘Theatre of Dreams,’ it’s almost like a cathedral…it’s something special.”
Rebecca Lowe: “Turf Moor is what English football is all about. It has the heart of English football. Every fan in that stadium will come from that town – most of them have probably walked from their house. It’s all very close to the action. It’s not the biggest grounds, so you get a really good atmosphere there. I’m expecting a really passionate home support because of how close they are to doing something they’ve never done – stay up in the Premier League.”
Robbie Earle: “Anfield, at an evening game, when the lights are on, it’s like a stage. There’s no better stage in world football. You’re amongst a group of fans who are probably the most knowledgeable and the most understanding of football in the league. It is the special place in the league to play or watch a match.”
Robbie Mustoe: “They’re all quite different – Burnley’s so small, but so passionate. Some of these smaller clubs are very special to the people that live nearby. Old Trafford is so special, and big, and Anfield, when I played, was the most special place to play, for atmosphere, for history, for the Hillsborough Memorial outside, the Shankly Gates, with ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’”
The advantages of working pitch-side:
Robbie Earle: “Pitch-side gives you a whole different perspective than when you’re in the studio. When you’re away from the action, you have the view, but when you get the sounds, the smells, the noises, you can link into the play and feel the emotion. It always takes you back to your playing days. You know what people are feeling, you know what people are thinking, and it adds a different level to your analysis of the game.”
Kyle Martino: “As incredible as the television coverage is, you still have a blind spot that you don’t have when you’re there. You see, up close, interactions between players, and warm-up and walking through the tunnel. These little nuances that tell you so much about what’s going through players’ minds, seeing the expressions on their faces. It’s even as simple as smelling the grass and being that close just really makes you feel like you’re a part of the occasion.”
Rebecca Lowe: “The thing about being pitch-side is that you can actually hear what the coaches and the mangers are saying, and that can give you an insight into what they’re trying to do on the field. Sometimes you can say to everybody else, members of our team – ‘I’ve just heard Arsene Wenger say to Alexis Sanchez, move wider.’ Then, we can see it play out ourselves. You also get a sense of the mood that the managers are in, which is really important as well.”
Robbie Mustoe: “Pitch-side is great, you’re the same level as the players and you’re very, very close to them. Whether it’s warming up, in the game you see things, you hear things, you sense things that you’re not going to sense in the studio. You’re very close to the fans all the way through, so at warm-up time you can get the sense of the field, the way they fill up the stands, the way they react to the game, the pace of the game, the speed and the intensity. That probably is the most important thing for me to put over at some point – just how fast and intense the game is at the Premier League level in England. Other top leagues in other countries are just not as fast. The quality, the speed and the raw emotion of the Premier League.”
Predictions for this season and this weekend’s matches:
Kyle Martino: “[This weekend] we may witness the win that keeps Burnley in the Premier League, it may be a historic weekend for us.”
Robbie Earle: “It might be the day that Manchester United keep their noisy neighbors quiet. We may see a handing back of the baton to Manchester United a little bit.”
Rebecca Lowe: “I think this season we’re going to see somebody get relegated that we don’t expect…a big name.”
Robbie Mustoe: “I think that it will be great to see a team that’s so behind in terms of their wage salaries with a chance to turn them over and try to stay in the league. I always picked Burnley to get relegated this season, but they’ve surprised me. I wonder if they can surprise me one more time by beating Arsenal at home. Also – is this going to be the game where Manchester United regain the power in Manchester? I think it is.”
***
On Saturday, April 11, the entire team will be at historic Turf Moor (hosted its first soccer match in 1883) for eight hours of live coverage, including Burnley v. Arsenal at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBC, with Lowe, Earle and Martino in the on-site studio; Bower, Dixon and Mustoe pitch-side; and White calling the match alongside Le Saux.
Saturday’s coverage begins with Premier League Live at 7 a.m. ET, followed by Swansea City v. Everton at 7:45 a.m. ET and Tottenham v. Aston Villa at 10 a.m. ET on NBCSN. Immediately following Burnley-Arsenal is a live Goal Zone on NBC at 2:30 p.m. ET.
On Sunday, April 12, NBC Sports Group presents seven hours of live coverage from Old Trafford, the site of the Manchester Derby between local rivals Manchester United and Manchester City (11 a.m. ET on NBCSN). Lowe will be joined in the studio by Martino and Mustoe; while Bower, Earle and Le Saux provide the pitch-side perspective; and White calls the match with Dixon. Premier League Live from Old Trafford begins at 7:30 a.m. ET, followed by Queens Park Rangers v. Chelsea at 8:30 a.m. ET on NBCSN.
NBCSN presents a new episode of Premier League Download Sunday following the Manchester Derby. In Premier League Download: The Goalkeepers’ Union, Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett traveled to England to interview U.S. Men’s National Team and Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard, Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic, USMNT and Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan, and Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel to find out about the art, tactical ability and psychology of a goalkeeper. Click here for a preview of the episode.
On Monday, April 13, NBC Sports Group’s announce team travels to Anfield for Liverpool-Newcastle. Just two days after his Everton side face Swansea City (Saturday, April 11 at 7:45 a.m. ET on NBCSN), U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tim Howard will join NBC Sports Group’s pitch-side crew of Bower and Martino; with Lowe, Earle and Mustoe in studio at the stadium; and Le Saux re-joining White to commentate on the match. Monday’s coverage begins at 2 p.m. ET with Premier League Live.
Throughout the weekend, former U.K. footballer and BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker, and Daily Mail columnist Neil Ashton will also contribute to the on-site coverage.
Today, Tuesday, April 7, NBCSN presents Premier League Live at 2:30 p.m. ET hosted by Russ Thaler, who will be joined by Earle, followed by Aston Villa v. Queens Park Rangers at 2:45 p.m. ET.
THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW hosted by Michael Davies and Bennett will air at 10 p.m. ET on NBCSN Mondays throughout the Premier League season.
All Premier League games will be streamed on NBC Sports Live Extra, NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices and tablets.
Below is the schedule for NBCUniversal’s soccer coverage this week (all times ET):
| Date | Time | Match | Network |
| Tues., April 7 | 2 p.m. | Barclays Premier League News | NBCSN |
| Tues., April 7 | 2:30 p.m. | Premier League Live | NBCSN |
| Tues., April 7 | 2:45 p.m. | Aston Villa v. Queens Park Rangers | NBCSN |
| Sat., April 11 | 6 a.m. | Barclays Premier League Preview | NBCSN |
| Sat., April 11 | 7 a.m. | Premier League Live from Turf Moor | NBCSN |
| Sat., April 11 | 7:45 a.m. | Swansea City v. Everton | NBCSN |
| Sat., April 11 | 10 a.m. | Tottenham v. Aston Villa | NBCSN, NBC UNIVERSO |
| Sat., April 11 | 10 a.m. | Southampton v. Hull City | Extra Time |
| Sat., April 11 | 10 a.m. | West Ham v. Stoke City | Extra Time |
| Sat., April 11 | 10 a.m. | Sunderland v. Crystal Palace | Extra Time |
| Sat., April 11 | 10 a.m. | West Brom v. Leicester City | Extra Time |
| Sat., April 11 | 12:30 p.m. | Burnley v. Arsenal | NBC, NBC UNIVERSO |
| Sat., April 11 | 2:30 p.m. | Goal Zone | NBC |
| Sun., April 12 | 12:30 a.m. | Match of the Day | NBCSN |
| Sun., April 12 | 6 a.m. | Barclays Premier League World | NBCSN |
| Sun., April 12 | 6:30 a.m. | Match of the Day | NBCSN |
| Sun., April 12 | 7:30 a.m. | Premier League Live from Old Trafford | NBCSN |
| Sun., April 12 | 8:30 a.m. | Queens Park Rangers v. Chelsea | NBCSN, NBC UNIVERSO |
| Sun., April 12 | 11 a.m. | Manchester United v. Manchester City | NBCSN, Telemundo |
| Sun., April 12 | 1 p.m. | Goal Zone; Premier League Download: The Goalkeepers’ Union | NBCSN |
| Sun., April 12 | 10:30 p.m. | Match of the Day II | NBCSN |
| Sun., April 12 | 11:30 p.m. | Match of the Week | NBCSN |
| Mon., April 13 | 1:30 p.m. | Barclays Premier League News | NBCSN |
| Mon., April 13 | 2 p.m. | Premier League Live from Anfield | NBCSN |
| Mon., April 13 | 3 p.m. | Liverpool v. Newcastle | NBCSN, NBC UNIVERSO |
| Mon., April 13 | 5 p.m. | Goal Zone | NBCSN |
| Mon., April 13 | 10 p.m. | THE MEN IN BLAZERS SHOW | NBCSN |
| Mon., April 13 | 10:30 p.m. | Barclays Premier League Review | NBCSN |
| Mon., April 13 | 10:30 p.m. | Barclays Premier League Review | NBCSN |
NBC Sports Group is once again making all 380 games from the Premier League available in the United States on the networks of NBCUniversal, on the Premier League Extra Time bonus TV package, and streamed live on NBC Sports Live Extra via “TV Everywhere,” giving consumers additional value to for their subscription service, and making high quality content available to MVPD customers both in and out of the home and on multiple platforms. The NBC Sports Live Extra app is available on the iTunes App Store, Google Play and Windows Store. NBC UNIVERSO is airing 100 Premiere League matches in Spanish on its network, with matches also streamed live on its NBC UNIVERSO NOW app. Every MVPD has the option to carry every Premier League match on live television and via live streaming at no additional cost to consumers.
–NBC SPORTS GROUP–
