Tag: nbc

Longtime voice of primetime NFL games Al Michaels is not part of NBC's postseason plans.

NBC passes on Al Michaels, 26-year-old Noah Eagle gets playoff play-by-play gig

Posted on | by Field Level Media

NBC plans to use 26-year-old Noah Eagle as the play-by-play voice for its No. 2 NFL playoff broadcast crew in January, passing on venerable voice Al Michaels.

NBC “Sunday Night Football” tandem Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth have the call of the network’s primary playoff broadcast next month, but NBC declined to bring back Michaels for the second game. Instead, the college football broadcast team of Eagle and Todd Blackledge with sideline reporter Kathryn Tappen was assigned the No. 2 game.

Michaels, 79, reportedly earns $1 million per game in an agreement with Amazon that affords him the opportunity to accept assignments from NBC in his “emeritus” label granted when he left at the end of his last contract in 2022.

Michaels and Tony Dungy called the AFC wild-card game in Jacksonville last year, when the Jaguars rallied from a 27-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers.

Eagle is the son of Ian Eagle, an established play-by-play announcer for CBS, TBS and TNT, working college basketball, NBA and NFL games. Noah Eagle replaced Ian Eagle on YES Network NBA broadcasts this season.

Noah Eagle, Blackledge and Tappen are also assigned to the NBC regular-season broadcast of Steelers-Bengals on Dec. 23 and the Nickelodeon kid-focused broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII on Feb. 11.

Michaels has been the voice of primetime NFL coverage since 1986, first on “Monday Night Football” until he took the “Sunday Night Football” job alongside John Madden in 2006. He worked in the SNF role until the end of the 2021 season.

He currently calls Thursday night games streamed on Amazon Prime Video with analyst Kirk Herbstreit.

–Field Level Media

Dec 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty (32) against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Devin McCourty joins NBC’s Sunday night pregame show

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three-time Super Bowl champion Devin McCourty joined NBC Sports’ Sunday night pregame show, “Football Night in America,” as a studio analyst, the network announced Tuesday morning.

McCourty is no stranger to the world of television, having served as an analyst on CBS’ “NFL Today” last year while still an active player. He also was a guest host on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” earlier this year.

McCourty, 35, announced his retirement on March 10.

“I’m excited to be a rookie on the best team in America again,” McCourty said. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity from NBC Sports to learn from great individuals, chase new goals and provide viewers with my thoughts on the biggest games every week.”

McCourty’s twin brother, Jason, joined NFL Network last year.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Devin McCourty had 971 tackles, 35 interceptions, 11 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries while starting all 205 career games in which he played with the Patriots. He was selected by New England with the 27th overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Nov 20, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; NBC Sunday Night Football broadcaster Mike Tirico reacts during the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and the Kansas City Chiefs at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Peacock lands NFL’s first exclusive streamed playoff game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Peacock reached a one-year deal with the NFL to become the first streaming platform with exclusive rights to an NFL playoff game on Monday.

According to the league and NBCUniversal’s announcement, Peacock will carry a prime-time game in the wild-card round on Saturday, Jan. 13, immediately following a late-afternoon playoff game shown on NBC and Peacock. The cities of the two teams playing in the game will still have the game carried on NBC.

The deal was in the $110 million range, the Wall Street Journal reported.

“We are excited to work with a great partner in Peacock to present the first-ever exclusively live streamed NFL playoff game this upcoming season,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of NFL Media. “Expanding the digital distribution of NFL content while maintaining wide reach for our games continues to be a key priority for the League, and bringing the excitement of an NFL playoff game exclusively to Peacock’s streaming platform is the next step in that strategy.”

Peacock formerly had a free option; now subscriptions cost either $4.99 or $9.99 per month.

The platform will also have exclusive rights to one regular-season game for the first time, a Saturday night tilt in Week 16 between the Buffalo Bills and host Los Angeles Chargers.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees is honored at halftime of the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Drew Brees won’t pursue broadcast gig to spend time with family

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Drew Brees said he’s staying on the broadcast sidelines this NFL season for four reasons: his kids.

The former New Orleans Saints quarterback and future Pro Football Hall of Fame member spent the 2021 season with NBC, but it was announced earlier this offseason that he wouldn’t return for a second season. And despite speculation he’d wind up with another network, he told The Spun that he’s not taking another job now.

“The reason I didn’t do it this year, from a broadcasting perspective, is my family,” Brees said. “You have to be gone for the weekends, and that’s what I basically did as a player. These are such valuable moments for my kids. I want to be as active and involved in their weekend activities. That doesn’t quite mesh right now with a broadcasting career.”

Brees and his wife, Brittany, have three sons and a daughter.

He told the outlet, however, that he is open to a future career in broadcasting or pursuing a different second act.

“I’ve got so many opportunities and things I’m considering right now. Staying involved with the game of football is one of my priorities, whether it’d be broadcasting or some other capacity,” said Brees, 43.

Brees retired after the 2020 season following 20 NFL campaigns and one Super Bowl championship. He threw for 80,358 career yards and 571 touchdowns — second only to Tom Brady in both categories.

–Field Level Media

Aug 26, 2018; Arlington, TX, USA; Network television commentator Al Michaels before the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Al Michaels to call one playoff game for NBC as ‘emeritus’ contributor

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Al Michaels and NBC Sports have reached an agreement that will keep Michaels on in an “emeritus role” going forward.

NBC announced the deal Tuesday, saying Michaels will continue to contribute to the network’s coverage of the NFL playoffs and the Olympics.

Michaels, 77, anchored NBC Sports’ “Sunday Night Football” broadcast team beginning in 2006, and his contract expired following the Super Bowl in February. NBC opted to promote Mike Tirico to the primary play-by-play announcer of “Sunday Night Football” alongside color commentator Cris Collinsworth.

Michaels, meanwhile, signed with Amazon to be the play-by-play voice of the company’s new “Thursday Night Football” broadcasts beginning next season.

Reports said Michaels will call one of NBC’s three playoff games next year with a partner yet to be named. Tirico and Collinsworth will handle the other games.

“I’m looking forward to continuing my longtime NBC relationship while also launching the Thursday Night Football package on Amazon this fallk,” Michaels said in a press release.

Michaels matched Pat Summerall by calling his 11th Super Bowl in February.

At Amazon, he will partner with ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit on “Thursday Night Football” broadcasts. Herbstreit will continue in his role as ESPN’s lead college football commentator.

–Field Level Media

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) holds the Lombardi Trophy as he is interviewed by NBC sports host Mike Tirico after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Tirico, Melissa Stark added to NBC’s SNF team

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NBC officially named its roster for its “Sunday Night Football” team.

The network announced Tuesday that Mike Tirico will handle the play-by-play responsibilities, Cris Collinsworth will remain as the game analyst and Melissa Stark will report from the sidelines. The trio’s first game together will be the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 4, with the regular-season opener slated for Sept. 8.

“Sunday Night Football is destination viewing and we are thrilled to have Mike, Cris and Melissa call the action and tell the stories that football fans have come to expect from primetime TV’s No. 1 show,” NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua said.

Tirico effectively replaces Al Michaels, who officially joined Amazon last month. Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit will serve as the broadcast team for “Thursday Night Football” beginning in 2022.

Collinsworth will begin his 14th season in the NBC Sunday Night Football broadcasting booth this fall. He also spent three seasons on NBC’s Football Night in America (2006-08).

Stark takes over for Michele Tafoya, who stepped away from sports journalism after Super Bowl LVI to transition to a career in social and political issues. Stark spent three seasons as a sideline reporter for ABC’s Monday Night Football (2000-02) and served as a host and reporter with NFL Network since 2011.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2018; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; NFL network broadcaster Melissa Stark interviews Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) after a game aNew York Jets at MetLife Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jets 29-22. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Melissa Stark new ‘SNF’ sideline reporter for NBC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Melissa Stark is joining NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” crew as a sideline reporter, the New York Post reported Friday.

Stark, 48, has worked for NFL Network since 2012. Her previous jobs include sideline reporter with ABC’s “Monday Night Football” from 2000-03 and national correspondent with “Today” on NBC beginning in the summer of 2003. With the network, she also covered the Olympics.

NBC has turned over two thirds of its “Sunday Night Football” talent ahead of the 2022 season. While Cris Collinsworth remains as game analyst, Mike Tirico is replacing Al Michaels on play by play.

Stark takes over for Michele Tafoya, who stepped away from sports journalism after Super Bowl LVI to transition to a career in social and political issues.

Kathryn Tappen, who worked the Super Bowl sideline for NBC along with Tafoya, had been considered the leading candidate for the job.

–Field Level Media

USFL

NBC announced as broadcast partner for USFL revival

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The return of the USFL in 2022 will be televised, with NBC announcing Wednesday it will pick up 21 of the league’s 43 games to be broadcast on multiple platforms, including its main network, along with USA Network and the streaming service Peacock.

The spring professional football league is owned by Fox Sports, with the other 22 games televised on Fox Sports platforms.

The USFL originally played six seasons starting in 1982 and included players like Jim Kelly, Steve Young, Reggie White, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie and Mike Rozier. While the new league obtained original USFL trademarks, including logos and team names, it is not associated with the previous entity.

The new USFL will begin play next year with eight teams, all with names of teams from the past: Birmingham Stallions, Houston Gamblers, Michigan Panthers, New Jersey Generals, New Orleans Breakers, Philadelphia Stars, Pittsburgh Maulers and Tampa Bay Bandits.

Although teams will have cities attached, all games are expected to be played next year in two Birmingham, Ala., locations.

–Field Level Media

Feb 7, 2020; Tampa, FL, USA; General view of the NFL Shield logo on the field before Super Bowl LV between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-ESPN host Mike Golic joins NBC’s Peacock

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Former NFL defensive lineman Mike Golic signed on with Peacock as a football analyst.

Golic, who spent more than 20 years with ESPN, will appear every Monday during the NFL season on “Pro Football Talk” with Mike Florio. They will analyze Sunday games and discuss other news from around the NFL.

The first appearance for Golic, 58, will be Monday. “Pro Football Talk” streams live on Peacock’s NBC Sports on Peacock channel from 7 to 9 a.m. ET weekdays.

A member of the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Golic paired with Mike Greenberg from 2000-17 on ESPN’s “Mike and Mike” before teaming with Trey Wingo on “Golic & Wingo,” which ended last year.

Golic spent nine seasons in the NFL after the Houston Oilers selected him in the 10th round of the 1985 draft. He also played with the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates after a Buccaneers touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs-Cowboys opener is TV’s most-watched show since Super Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The NFL returned to television Thursday night, and the public tuned in.

The season opener between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys attracted an audience that was the biggest for any TV show since the Super Bowl in February, NBC announced Friday.

Around 24.4 million viewers watched the Thursday game on NBC, with a peak of 25.4 million viewers between 9:45-10 p.m. ET.

The game also was available on Peacock, NBC Sports Digital and NFL Digital platforms. When counting those sources, the Total Audience Delivery (TAD) average was around 26 million, per NBC.

The TAD for the Buccaneers’ 31-29 win was up 20 percent from last year’s NFL kickoff game, a 34-20 Kansas City Chiefs win over the Houston Texans. It also was the highest for an NFL Thursday opener since 27.4 million watched the New England Patriots beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-21 in 2015.

The 2015 game and Thursday’s game had a major similarity: Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, two of the NFL’s most marketable players, connecting for multiple touchdown passes — six years ago for New England, this year for Tampa Bay.

The Average Minute Audience for Peacock and digital platforms of 1.6 million broke NBC’s record for an NFL game, not including Super Bowls, and increased 64 percent from last year.

The Buccaneers-Cowboys contest garnered a 13.4 rating (percent of all TV households watching) and a 32 share (percent of households watching TV at the time that tuned in), with those figures rising 20 percent from last year.

The Dallas market had the highest viewership Thursday with a 29.1 rating and 56 share. San Antonio (25.5/45) was next, followed by Tampa (24.6/50), Providence (23.1/44), Austin (22.9/46), Boston (21.4/43), Cleveland (20.3/40), Jacksonville (20.1/38), Norfolk (19.9/39) and Milwaukee (17.7/37).

–Field Level Media