Hot Off The Press: The Latest TV News and Information

[fredfa]

Updated:
This Week’s College Football in HD

All times are Eastern

Note: BCS rankings 1-25 are official.
(Rankings below #25 are replicated by Jerry Palm at collegebcs.com
using precisely the same computer models as the BCS.)

Thursday
#118 Ball State (1-8) at #73 Northern Illinois (6-3) 6 p.m. ESPNU
#24 South Florida (6-2) at #38 Rutgers (6-2) 7:30 p.m. ESPN
NR Texas Southern (4-4) at NR Grambling (5-4) 9 p.m. ESPNU

Friday
#25 West Virginia (7-2) at #5 Cincinnati (9-0) 8 p.m. ESPN2
#34 Temple (7-2) at #114 Akron (2-7) 8:30 p.m. ESPNU

Saturday
#15 Houston (8-1)at #75 Central Florida (5-4) 12 noon CBSC
#85 Indiana (4-6) at #18 Penn State (8-2) 12 noon. BTN
NR James Madison (4-5) at NR Massachusetts (5-4) 12 noon CSNE / TCN
#71 Michigan (5-5) at #20 Wisconsin (7-2) 12 noon BTN
#57 Michigan State (5-5) at #72 Purdue (4-6) 12 noon ESPN
NR South Dakota State (7-2) at #51 Minnesota (5-5) 12 noon BTN
#36 Tennessee (5-4) at #41 Mississippi (6-3) 12 noon CBS
#3 Texas (9-0) at #76 Baylor (4-5) 12 noon FSN
#26 Clemson (6-3) at #86 North Carolina State (4-5) noon Raycom
#48 Florida State at #69 Wake Forest ESPNU
#50 Kentucky (5-4) at #105 Vanderbilt (2-8) 12:21 a.m. SEC Network
#55 Missouri (5-4) at #43 Kansas State (6-4) 12:30 a.m. Versus
NR Yale (4-4) at NR Princeton (2-6)1 p.m. YES
Division III: Wabash (8-1) at DePauw (7-1) 1 p.m. HDNet
#22 BYU (7-2) at #117 New Mexico (0-9) 2 p.m. Mtn.
NR Appalachian State (7-2) at NR Elon (8-1) 3 p.m. SS
NR Delaware (6-3) at #32 Navy (7-3) 3:30 p.m. CBSC
#1 Florida (9-0) at #44 South Carolina (6-4) 3:30 p.m. CBS
Idaho (7-3) at Boise State (9-0) 3:30 p.m. ESPNU
#10 Iowa (9-1) at #11 Ohio State (8-2) 3:30 p.m. ABC Regional/ ESPN SD
#31 Nebraska (6-3) at #65 Kansas (5-4) 3:30 p.m. ABC Regional
#14 Miami (7-2) at #37 North Carolina (6-3) 3:30 p.m. ABC Regional/ ESPN HD

The ABC and ESPN Coverage maps are here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/s...veragemaps2009

#27 Stanford (6-3) at #9 USC (7-2) 3:30 p.m. FSN
#53 Washington (3-6) at #23 Oregon State (6-3) 3:30 p.m. FSNW
#49 UCLA (4-5) at #103 Washington State (1-8) 5 p.m. FSNW
#87 UNLV (4-6) at #56 Air Force (6-4) 6 p.m. Mtn.
#2 Alabama (9-0) at #52 Mississippi State (4-5) 7 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
#28 Auburn (7-3) at #46 Georgia (5-4) 7 p.m. (ESPN or ESPN2)
#64 Texas A&M (5-4) at #33 Oklahoma (5-4) 7 p.m. FSN
#17 Arizona (6-2) at #29 California (6-3) 7 p.m. Versus
#98 Louisiana Tech (3-6) at #8 LSU (7-2) 7 p.m. ESPNU
#40 Troy (7-2) at #47 Arkansas (5-4) 7:30 p.m. (CSS / CST
#16 Utah (8-1) at #4 TCU (9-0) 7:30 p.m. CBSC
#42 Notre Dame (6-3) at #12 Pittsburgh (8-1) 8 p.m. ABC Regional
#30 Texas Tech (6-3) at #19 Oklahoma State (7-2) 8 p.m. ABC Regional
(The ABC coverage maps are linked above)
#81 Wyoming (4-5) at #79 San Diego State (4-5) 10 p.m. Mtn.
#59 Arizona State (4-5) at #13 Oregon (7-2) 10:15 p.m. ESPN

Sunday
#63 East Carolina (5-4) at #92 Tulsa (4-5) 8:15 p.m. ESPN

ESPN Game Plan
(All games are in SD)

#78 Syracuse (3-6) at #83 Louisville (3-6) 12 noon
#26 Clemson (6-3) at #86 North Carolina State (4-5) noon
NCAA Div II Playoff Super Regional: Edinboro (PA) (8-3) at East Stroudsburg (8-3) 12 noon
NR Lafayette (8-1) at NR Holy Cross (8-1) 12 noon
#50 Kentucky (5-4) at #105 Vanderbilt (2-8) 12:21 a.m.
#31 Nebraska (6-3) at #65 Kansas (5-4) 3:30 p.m.
#14 Miami (7-2) at #37 North Carolina (6-3) 3:30 p.m.
#10 Iowa (9-1) at #11 Ohio State (8-2) 3:30 p.m.
#45 Fresno State (6-3) at #59 Nevada (6-3) 4 p.m.
#92 Louisiana-Lafayette (5-4) at #66 Middle Tennessee (6-3) 4:15 p.m.
#40 Troy (7-2) at #47 Arkansas (5-4) 7:30 p.m.
#42 Notre Dame (6-3) at #12 Pittsburgh (8-1) 8 p.m.
#30 Texas Tech (6-3) at #19 Oklahoma State (7-2) 8 p.m.
#106 New Mexico State (3-6) at #97 Hawaii (3-6) 10 p.m.

GamePlan blackout maps are here:
http://espn.go.com/ncf/gameplan/blackout

[fredfa]

Why Disney would give the nation Miami-North Carolina in HD and leave Iowa-Ohio State in SD leaves me very puzzled.

I am hoping it is some sort of technical issue. Because the #10 and #11 teams, basically playing for a Rose Bowl slot, seems far more compelling than Miami and North Carolina.

But maybe that is just me.

And one more thing: will ESPN Game Plan ever be in HD? Come on, Disney, get with it.

[fredfa]

TV Notes
Thursday’s TV Talk Show Lineups:
Martha Stewart is a guest on 'Rachel Ray' and Rachel Ray is a guest on 'The View'
From the Los Angeles Times’ “Show Tracker” blog
(Note: times are generally ET/PT. For PBS and Sunday talk show start times please check your local listings.)

The Early Show John Cusack. (N) 7 a.m. CBS

Today Author Ali Vincent ("Believe It, Be It"). (N) 7 a.m. NBC

Good Morning America Dolly Parton; Kate Walsh ("Private Practice"); author Patricia Cornwell ("The Scarpetta Factor"). (N) 7 a.m. ABC

Live With Regis and Kelly Kate Walsh ("Private Practice"); Craig Horner ("Legend of the Seeker"). (N) Syndicated

The View Rachael Ray. (N) 10 a.m. (11 a.m. ET) ABC

Rachael Ray Martha Stewart. (N) Syndicated

The Martha Stewart Show Anthony Anderson ("Law & Order"). (N) Syndicated

The Bonnie Hunt Show Dominic Monaghan ("FlashForward"); Jesse Williams ("Grey's Anatomy"); Judges Joseph Wapner and Marilyn Milian. (N) Syndicated

Oprah Winfrey Finalists sing in Oprah's Karaoke Challenge. (N) Syndicated

Dr. Phil The disappearance of 20-year-old Morgan Harrington; the kidnapping and murder of 7-year-old Somer Thompson. (N) Syndicated

The Ellen DeGeneres Show Harry Connick Jr. performs; Paula Patton ("Precious"). (N) Syndicated

The Tyra Show Former "America's Next Top Model" contestants help distribute winter coats to underprivileged children. (N) Syndicated

The Dr. Oz Show Embarrassing questions from men, including Keith Olbermann. (N) Syndicated

Tavis Smiley Author Bruce Feiler. (N) 7 and 11 p.m. PBS

The Jay Leno Show Penélope Cruz; Dolly Parton; Luc Robitaille. (N) 10 p.m. KNBC

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Dr. Jane Goodall. (N) 11 p.m. Comedy Central

Lopez Tonight Writer and producer Larry David; Kelly Osbourne. (N) 11 p.m. TBS

Charlie Rose Amy Rice, Alicia Sams and Edward Norton ("By the People: The Election of Barack Obama"); Roy Williams. (N) 11:30 p.m. PBS

Late Show With David Letterman Amanda Peet; the Cribs perform. (N) 11:35 p.m. CBS

The Tonight Show With Conan O'Brien Former Vice President Al Gore; Jim Parsons; Jason Mraz performs. (N) 11:35 p.m. NBC

Jimmy Kimmel Live Danny DeVito; Streeter Seidell and Amir Blumenfeld; Switchfoot performs. (N) 12:06 a.m. ABC

The Late Late Show Trace Adkins; Nick Griffin. (N) 12:37 a.m. CBS

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon Kate Walsh; Penn & Teller; Goodie Mob performs. (N) 12:37 a.m. NBC

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/show...n-the-vie.html

[lvthunder]

Originally Posted by fredfa

Just wondering: what constitutes a "cult fave"?

A small amount of people who feverishly like a show.

[fredfa]

Critic’s Notes
On The Air Tonight:
'2012' Considered
By Roger Catlin, Hartford Courant TV Critic, in his “TV Eye” blog, November 12, 2009
(Note: All times are ET)

Is it a warning for the future, an excuse to scare audiences or a big movie tie-in? Luckilly, "2012: Startling New Secrets" (Syfy, 9 p.m.), about the supposedly impending apocalypse foretold by the Mayans, works on all three levels.

Sundance clears its schedule to show the full 4½ hours of Steven Soderberg's ambitious 2008 political saga starring Benico Del Toro as the Latin American revolutionary leader and future T-shirt icon, with "Che, Part 1: The Argentine" (Sundance 8 p.m.) and "Che, Part 2: Guerrilla" (Sundance, 10:30 p.m.).

Part one of the finale of the double transplanted "Project Runway" (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) - on a new network and in a new city - begins with an eye toward Fashion Week. The three women still contending are Althea, Carol Hannah and Irina.

What began in Miami Monday and went to New York Wednesday ends back in Las Vegas tonight with the windup of the three-night crossover event involving every offshoot of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (CBS, 9 p.m.).

Russell has certainly been opening about his conniving on "Survivor: Samoa" (CBS, 8 p.m.), reaching a peak last week at the merge when he told his new tribemates individually that he was holding an immunity idol and each was the only one he was telling. It all may catch up with him tonight.

Stephen Fry returns as Booth's ex-shrink on "Bones" (Fox, 8 p.m.) where the case involves a death in the world of little person wrestling.

im Raver, formerly of "24," begins her stint on "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC, 9 p.m.) as a cardio doctor.
Has the death of a major character last week on "FlashForward" (ABC, 8 p.m.) upped its stalled storytelling?

A new teacher creates intrigue on "The Vampire Diaries" (CBS, 9 p.m.).

A new season of the animated "Super-News!" (Current, 11 p.m.) caps new episodes of "Infomania" (Current, 10 p.m.) and "Rotten Tomatoes" (Current, 10:30 p.m.).

For those who were ever curious on the insides of a Lego factory, there is a glimpse on "Extreme Mega Factories" (Travel, 8 p.m.).

Sort of forgot there was a sequel to "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" (Cinemax, 8:30 p.m.) called "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" (Cinemax, 10 p.m.). Wasn't the first one kind of bogus as well.

A month long salute to Grace Kelly on Turner Classic Movies continues with Two from Hitchcock, "Dial M for Murder" (8 p.m.) and "Rear Window" (10 p.m.), followed by the 1954 "The Country Girl" with Bing Crosby and William Holden.

http://blogs.courant.com/roger_catli...rnis.html#more

[fredfa]

TV Notes
Tuesday’s TV Highlights:
Kate and Sam stumble across a car accident on 'Private Practice'
From the Los Angeles Times’ “Show Tracker” blog
(Note: times are generally ET/PT.
Please remember that all live sports events are listed in Pacific time.
For PBS show start times please double check your local listings.

SERIES

Community: Jeff (Joel McHale), who worked as a lawyer, expects debate team to be a piece of cake when he agrees to step in as Annie's (Alison Brie) partner before the big debate with City College (8 p.m. NBC).

The Vampire Diaries: Bonnie (Katerina Graham) has frightening dreams about one of her ancestors and continues arguing with Caroline (Candice Accola) over the medallion, despite Elena's (Nina Dobrev) peacemaking efforts (8 p.m. KTLA).

Bones: Booth (David Boreanaz) must get recertified for FBI marksmanship but discovers he is not the accurate shot he was before his brain surgery (8 p.m. Fox).

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation: As a three-episode crossover story arc reaches its conclusion, the team helps Langston (Laurence Fishburne) investigate a prostitution ring that may have harbored a hostage he has been searching for in Miami and New York. Marg Helgenberger and George Eads also star (9 p.m. CBS).

The Office: Troubling rumors about Dunder Mifflin rock Michael's (Steve Carell) world, and he reacts by forcing the office into strange diversions that upset Jim (John Krasinski) and make the rest of the staff wonder whether Michael has gone nuts (9 p.m. NBC).

Grey's Anatomy: Owen (Kevin McKidd) recruits a fellow Iraq war veteran to be the new cardiothoracic surgeon, but Cristina (Sandra Oh) questions the new surgeon's abilities (9 p.m. ABC).

30 Rock: The crew awaits the arrival of the new cast member in this new episode (9:30 p.m. NBC).

The Mentalist: Minelli (Gregory Itzin) orders Patrick (Simon Baker) and his team to put aside their differences and work together with Bosco (Terry Kinney) and his team to locate a kidnapped woman (10 p.m. CBS).

Ancient Discoveries: This new episode suggests a simple bamboo tube may have served as the world's first "gun" (10 p.m. History).

Private Practice: Addison helps a pregnant woman trapped in a car. (10 p.m. ABC).

Project Runway: The two-part season finale begins (10 p.m. Lifetime).

MOVIES

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure: Thanks to a mysterious stranger (George Carlin) and a time machine, two high school slackers (Alex Winter, Keanu Reeves) do a history presentation complete with actual historical figures, from Socrates to Sigmund Freud, in this 1989 comedy (8:30 p.m. Cinemax). The 1991 sequel, "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey," follows at 10 p.m.

By the People: The Election of Barack Obama: This 2009 TV documentary follows Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's campaign to become president (noon and 8:30 p.m. HBO).

The Killing Room: A scientist subjects four unwitting volunteers to torturous experiments in this 2009 thriller. Nick Cannon and Clea DuVall star (9 p.m. Showtime).

SPORTS

UFL football: The Florida Tuskers visit the New York Sentinels (4 p.m. VS).

College football: South Florida at Rutgers (4:30 p.m. ESPN).

Basketball: The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Miami Heat (5 p.m. TNT); the Phoenix Suns visit the Lakers (7:30 p.m. TNT).

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/show...practice-.html

[fredfa]

TV Notes
On The Air Tonight
Thursday Network Prime-Time Programming Options
(All shows are in HD)

(Reminder: If you are recording these programs, check your network listings for precise start/end times. For PBS, please double check your local listings.)

ABC:
8 Flash Forward
9 Grey’s Anatomy
10 Private Practice

CBS:
8 Survivor: Samoa
9 CSI
10 The Mentalist

NBC:
8 Community
8:30 Parks and Recreation
9 The Office
9:30 30 Rock
10 Jay Leno: Comic Actress Penelope Cruz; singer Dolly Parton; former professional hockey player Luc Robitaille.

Fox:
8 Bones
9 Fringe

PBS
8 The This Old House Hour. Re-framing the existing walls to accommodate new door and window openings; installing a large window in the library.
9 Antiques Roadshow: Louisville KY. Late 18th-century heirloom Kentucky sugar chest; 1860 rococo revival table; boxing gloves signed by Muhammad Ali. (R, April 28, 2008)
10 The Story of India. Beginnings. Michael Wood's journey through the history of India reveals the richness and diversity of its people, culture and landscape. (R, January 5)

The CW:
8 The Vampire Diaries
9 Supernatural

[foxeng]

Originally Posted by fredfa

The place he could strengthen Fox the most would be at Fox Business Channel.

Neil Cavuto and Lou Dobs would be a pretty strong two-some.

Dobbs comes with baggage. FOX doesn't like baggage. It opens them up too much to their critics and they have enough of them with people who don't have baggage unless they can use it to their advantage. Dobbs is better for FBN and FBN needs the help, but I am not convinced that is in the cards, but I have been wrong before.

[slowbiscuit]

Fox News Channel defines baggage.

[dc_pilgrim]

Originally Posted by fredfa

The place he could strengthen Fox the most would be at Fox Business Channel.

Neil Cavuto and Lou Dobs would be a pretty strong two-some.

How does Dave Ramsey do on ratings? I like Ramsey and don't like Dobbs, so that isn't a result I would hope for.

[dcowboy7]

BIG weekend for cincy & pitt:

Friday:
#25 West Virginia (7-2) at #5 Cincinnati (9-0) 8 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday:
#42 Notre Dame (6-3) at #12 Pittsburgh (8-1) 8 p.m. ABC Regional
Sunday:
Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) for 1st place in AFC North.

Also Mike & Mike on ESPN2 tomorrow morning will be Live from Pittsburgh.
Guests include Hines Ward, Dave Wannstedt & Brent Musburger.

[steverobertson]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

BIG weekend for cincy & pitt:

Friday:
#25 West Virginia (7-2) at #5 Cincinnati (9-0) 8 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday:
#42 Notre Dame (6-3) at #12 Pittsburgh (8-1) 8 p.m. ABC Regional
Sunday:
Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) for 1st place in AFC North.

Also Mike & Mike on ESPN2 tomorrow morning will be Live from Pittsburgh.
Guests include Hines Ward, Dave Wannstedt & Brent Musburger.

It sure is and I am looking forward to watching how it all plays out. It is also a big weekend for Charlie Weiss I think he will have to win out in order to keep his job.

[dcowboy7]

Originally Posted by fredfa

TV Notes
Thursday’s TV Highlights:
Kate and Sam stumble across a car accident on 'Private Practice'
From the Los Angeles Times’ “Show Tracker” blog
(Note: times are generally ET/PT.
Please remember that all live sports events are listed in Pacific time.
For PBS show start times please double check your local listings.

SPORTS
UFL football: The Florida Tuskers visit the New York Sentinels (4 p.m. VS).
College football: South Florida at Rutgers (4:30 p.m. ESPN).
Basketball: The Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Miami Heat (5 p.m. TNT); the Phoenix Suns visit the Lakers (7:30 p.m. TNT).

Maybe the paper should be called LA "get with the" Times:
Bears @ 49ers NFL Network 8:20pm et.
HELLO !!

[jim tressler]

Go Cats!!! (That would be Bearcats!)

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

BIG weekend for cincy & pitt:

Friday:
#25 West Virginia (7-2) at #5 Cincinnati (9-0) 8 p.m. ESPN2
Saturday:
#42 Notre Dame (6-3) at #12 Pittsburgh (8-1) 8 p.m. ABC Regional
Sunday:
Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) for 1st place in AFC North.

Also Mike & Mike on ESPN2 tomorrow morning will be Live from Pittsburgh.
Guests include Hines Ward, Dave Wannstedt & Brent Musburger.

[Riverside_Guy]

Originally Posted by fredfa

Just wondering: what constitutes a "cult fave"?

Some show that spawns multi-thousand AVS posts??

[DoubleDAZ]

Originally Posted by fredfa

I couldn't agree more.

And I still miss Kate.

Me too.

[lvthunder]

Originally Posted by Riverside_Guy

Some show that spawns multi-thousand AVS posts??

That's true. I just posted comment 2036 in the Dollhouse thread. They have showed 16 episodes so far so that's an average of 128 comments per episode.

[biggiE48]

TV Notes:
Fredfa this post has become a must read for me every morning at work. Yesterday one item in the note was TCM showing of "Bad Day at Black Rock". I had heard the title of course, but I never saw the movie. I set the DVR (love DTV remote scheduling) to record it. Watched it last night and it was a very good movie tight tense and loaded with great actors. My question is how do you edit daily all the things on TV and come up with your tips and highlights for this post it must take tons of work. But however you do it thank you for all the service you perform on this blog it is appreciated.

[curtis0620]

Originally Posted by jim tressler

Go Cats!!! (That would be Bearcats!)

I'm a Pitt fan, and I would love to see the final game of Cincinnat 11-0 vs Pitt 10-1.

In my opinion both should make a BCS bowl.

[dad1153]

Nielsen Overnights (18-49)
Modest uptick for ABC's CMA awards
Country music special averages a 5.2 in 18-49s
By Toni Fitzgerald, Media Life Magazine - November 12th, 2009

Crossover sensation Taylor Swift's big night helped boost ABC to big ratings last night for the "43rd Annual CMA Awards."

The three-hour program averaged a 5.2 adults 18-49 rating from 8 to 11 p.m., according to Nielsen overnights, up 4 percent from last year. It also averaged a 5.7 among women 18-34, the "CMAs'" best rating since 2003 in that demo.

The awards were also the night's top show among total viewers, averaging 16.8 million, their best average since 2005.

The show undoubtedly got a boost from Swift, who won four awards, including entertainer of the year. She's been in the news a lot lately, following that awkward moment at the MTV "Video Music Awards" in September when Kanye West interrupted her acceptance speech.

Despite the strong competition, Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" and CBS's "Criminal Minds" were the only Big Four shows down from their most recent telecast.

CBS's 8 p.m. comedies, which did not have to face ABC's usual sitcom lineup, were both up double-digit percentages, and NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" tied a season high.

It has been a run of abnormal Wednesdays, with the World Series airing the previous two weeks.

***

ABC was, quite obviously, first for the night among 18-49s with a 5.2 average overnight rating and a 14 share. CBS was second at 3.1/8, Fox third at 2.7/7, NBC fourth at 2.0/5, Univision fifth at 1.3/3 and CW sixth at 1.0/3.

As a reminder, all ratings are based on live-plus-same-day DVR playback. Seven-day DVR data won’t be available for several weeks. Thirty-three percent of Nielsen households have DVRs.

Also, ratings for ABC’s “CMAs” coverage are approximate as fast nationals measure timeslot and not actual program data.

The “CMAs” led each hour, beginning with a 5.0 at 8 p.m., followed by CBS with a 2.3 for “The New Adventures of Old Christine” (2.2) and “Gary Unmarried” (2.5). Fox was third with a 2.1 for “So You Think You Can Dance,” NBC fourth with a 1.8 for “Mercy,” CW fifth with a 1.5 for “America’s Next Top Model” and Univision sixth with a 1.4 for “El Nombre del Amor.”

At 9 p.m. ABC was first again with a 5.5 for the “CMAs,” while CBS and Fox tied for second at 3.3, CBS for “Criminal Minds” and Fox for “Glee.” NBC was fourth with a 2.8 for “SVU,” Univision fifth with a 1.5 for “Sortilegio” and CW sixth with a 0.5 for a repeat of “Vampire Diaries.”

ABC was first at 10 p.m. with a 5.0 for more “CMAs,” with CBS second with a 3.7 for “CSI: NY.” NBC was third with a 1.4 for “The Jay Leno Show” and Univision fourth with a 1.0 for “Don Francisco Presenta.”

ABC also led the night among households with a 10.1 average overnight rating and a 16 share. CBS was second at 7.1/11, NBC third at 4.5/7, Fox fourth at 3.9/6, Univision fifth at 1.9/3 and CW sixth at 1.5/2.

http://www.medialifemagazine.com/art...CMA_awards.asp

[dcowboy7]

NFL at highest viewership at this point in a season in 20 years
Double the viewership of combined average of non-NFL primetime programming on the big 4 broadcast networks

As the season hits the midpoint, NFL fans continue to tune into games in record numbers:

- An average of more than 17 million viewers watches each NFL game on television – the highest viewership at this point in a season in 20 years.

- Each of the networks televising NFL games has shown an increase in viewership vs. 2008.

- NFL telecasts are averaging more than double the viewership of the combined average of non-NFL primetime programming on the big four broadcast networks since the beginning of the NFL season (8.3 million viewers on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC).

- The NFL 4:15 PM Sunday national game on CBS and FOX is averaging a combined 23.5 million viewers (up 6 percent from last year) – making the 4:15 PM window on the two networks the most-watched program on all of television this season.

- NBC Sunday Night Football is the most-watched show in primetime since the NFL season began with an average of 19.5 million viewers (up 22 percent from last year).

- ESPN Monday Night Football is the most-watched show on cable this TV season with an average of 14.6 million viewers (up 18 percent from last year).

- NFL games account for the top 6 and 8 of the 10 most-watched sporting events since Super Bowl XLIII.

edit: forgot link
http://www.fangsbites.com/2009/11/nf...onslaught.html

[fredfa]

Wednesday’s fast affiliate overnight prime-time ratings (which include the total viewers and 18-49 demographic estimates) – along with Media Week Analyst Marc Berman’s view of what they mean -- have now been posted at the top of Ratings News -- the second post in this thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...&#post10367387

[dad1153]

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

Each of the networks televising NFL games has shown an increase in viewership vs. 2008.

Didn't we have a story here on "HOTP" a few days back mentioning that CBS NFL games were ways off in viewership compared with a year ago? Something to do with too many NY teams in the late games.

[fredfa]

I never worry about getting the NFL schedules on here, dcowboy7 -- you are my main source!

Originally Posted by dcowboy7

Maybe the paper should be called LA "get with the" Times:
Bears @ 49ers NFL Network 8:20pm et.
HELLO !!

[fredfa]

With the way the six conferences run their BCS bowls, I suspect you will get your wish.

But remember that Cincinnati was a participant in the least-watched BCS bowl game ever, when it lost to Virginia Tech 20-7 in the Orange Bowl.

Originally Posted by curtis0620

I'm a Pitt fan, and I would love to see the final game of Cincinnat 11-0 vs Pitt 10-1.

In my opinion both should make a BCS bowl.

[SnakeEyes]

Lisa Lampanelli was moved from last nights Lopez to tonight's.

[foxeng]

DTV Notes
DTV Coupon Redemption Ends With Over $1 Billion Worth Unused
Approximately 30 million coupons unredeemed as program ends
By John Eggerton -- Broadcasting & Cable, 11/12/2009 11:28:20 AM

The government's DTV converter box coupon program has officially ended, with approximately 30 million, or $1.2 billion worth of coupons, going unredeemed.

The Consumer Electronics Retailers Coalition Thursday pointed out that Nov. 9 was the last day that they could redeem the $40 coupons issued by the National Telecommunications & Information Administration.

CERC said that it had redeemed approximately 35 million coupons, which could be applied toward the purchase of a converter box that allows analog TV's to receive a digital over-the-air signal. "The fact that the coupon program ended quietly and with almost no public notice speaks to the hard work and effort so many people poured into the process," said CERC Executive Director Chris McLean.

NTIA mailed a little over 64 million coupons, according to final figures from Oct. 14, which means almost half of them were never redeemed or used.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/art...rth_Unused.php

[Cosmos2]

CNN: John King to Host New Program at 7 pm


CNN has announced this morning that John King, anchor of Sunday's "State of the Union" program on the network, will take over the 7pmET time slot on CNN early next.

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/...pm__142983.asp

[fredfa]

TV Sports
NFL Network COO Williams: Progress Made, But Distribution Holes Remain
Kicking Off First Game Tonight, Service Now In 53 Million Homes, But TWC, Cablevision, Charter, Suddenlink Not On Affiliate Team
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 11/12/2009

NFL Network kicks off its eight-game primetime slate tonight with a significantly larger distribution lineup, but a number of key holdouts remain off its roster.

With Comcast migrating the service this summer from its sports tier to Digital Classic, its second-highest level of service, upgrades with other carriers and new agreements, NFL Network now counts 53 million homes as the Chicago Bears invade Candlestick Park to battle the San Franciso 49ers tonight at 8 p.m. (ET). That's up 26% from 42 million in March, as the NFL Network has also added the scoring service, NFL RedZone channel, to its playbook.

"This is a new high for the network," said NFL Network COO Kim Williams. "There has been expanded distribution with digital cable, satellite and our telco affiliates."

Still, the pro football league's in-house service has not been able to hit carriage paydirt with a number of major carriers, including No. 2 cable operator, Time Warner Cable, over pricing and positioning issues.

"Time Warner Cable is the only one of the top five distributors that does not carry NFL Network. We've put a deal on the table that most of the industry has been able to support," said Williams. "Along with our new NFL Red Zone Channel, and expanded VOD offerings, we're surprised and very disappointed that we have not been able to reach a deal."

Williams said there were significant negotiations with Time Warner Cable during the summer, and that while talks continue, there is nothing "serious right now" and that the operator is very likely going to remain on the sideline for another season of NFL Network's live-game coverage.

Similarly, while discussions continue with the MSOs, Charter, Cablevision and Suddenlink also don't figure to be on board either.

"Every distributor is different. For some it's pure economics, but there other considerations." Williams said, declining to elaborate.

For its part, Suddenlink, which for years had advocated for positioning NFL Network on a tier, said on its blog that it had verbally agreed to an NFL Network offer in late September. After starting to exchange "contract drafts" and preparing to add it to its lineup, Suddenlink said "NFL Network withdrew the offer we had accepted. A few weeks later, the NFL returned with a new proposal that included unacceptable costs and conditions."

The operator expressed frustration on the blog posting, but indicated it remains open to continued discussions and a new offer from the NFL Network, including the offer that we already accepted or any of the other offers we have previously made to them."

Elsewhere, NFL Network recently reached a multiyear contract extension with Armstrong that adds the service's primetime game schedule for the first time. NFL Network is available on Armstrong's Value Package, as well as its HD Advantage Package. Another recent addition, DTC TV, which serves subscribers in the middle Tennessee area, is positioning NFL Network on channel 40 and in HD on channel 340.

NFL Network also has scored a deal with BendBroadband in Oregon in time for Thursday night's Bears-49ers contest, as well as NFL RedZone, which provides highlights and live look-ins as teams cross the 20-yard-line, the so-called "red zone,"

Other NFL RedZone carriers, some of which are positioning it as a sports tier, using it as a driver to promote premium HD packages, or offering it on a subscription, a la carte basis include: Comcast, Dish Network, Verizon's FiOS, AT&T' U-verse, RCN Corp., Blue Ridge Communications, Service Electric, Buckeye Cable, Nex-Tech, Mid-Tel Cable and Dakota Central Telecom.

Asked about the uptake for NFL Red Zone Channel, Williams said that with distributors offering the product in different ways, the numbers are "tough" to determine through Nielsen metrics

Calling it a great complement to CBS and Fox's Sunday game coverage, RedZone, said Williams, is "keeping more people in front of their sets, when they might walk during breaks," or if their favorite team isn't performing well on any given Sunday. Williams said affiliates are happy with the look-in service's performance, and noted that there has also been "great buzz, acceptance from media, fans and bloggers."

Williams said that those distributors, like Verizon FiOS, that are offering it on an a la carte basis were preparing a mid-season discount to help drive a late-season rush for Red Zone during its rookie season.

Williams said that RedZone, alongside the network itself and expanded array of video-of-demand programming -- she pointed to the combine and NFL Draft fare as being particularly popular -- the NFL now has "a nice suite of products to offer."

On the VOD front, Avail-TVN earlier this week scored a contract extension with NFL Network, expanding the scope of the relationship to the entire industry, including delivery to an additional 17 million VOD-enabled homes, while incorporating advanced asset and metadata management services.

As for NFL Network itself, league officials said the service, as it approaches its first game telecast, has been enjoying an uptick in Sunday viewing. Through week 9 of the campaign, NFL Network scored a 15% increase in ratings and a 39% advance in households, compared to the same span in the 2008 season.

The gains are in keeping with the sport's audience amelioration for all of its carriers this season. An average of more than 17 million viewers has watched each NFL game on television this season to date -- the highest viewership at this point in a season in 20 years. Moreover, each of the networks televising NFL games has shown an increase in viewership against the 2008 season, with ESPN registering its strongest season since taking over the Monday Night Football franchise.

The NFL is also scoring online. Through this past Sunday Nov. 8, unique Visitors to NFL.com improved 16%, while video streams grew 32%, according to NFL officials.

Like a quarterback going through progressions, Williams, who said "our fans are really engaged on all platforms," ticked off a number of reasons why the NFL is enjoying a banner year: the "excitement of our sport"; its limited number of exposures; "some great games," Brett Favre; and "the economy, which is keeping more families at home."

Those factors and metrics have Williams feeling "pretty good about the advertising market" for NFL Network. League officials declined to specify its sell-through level for its eight game package, but senior vice president media sales and sponsorship Keith Turner recently said the service was pacing ahead of where it was at this point last season.

NFL Network for the first time, on the local level, has put 30-second tune-in spots into play, with affiliates offering marketers the chance to tag the units with "game sponsored locally" attachments. Comcast Spotlight, Cox Media and Insight are in the game.

"Thursday night football is one of our jewels," she said. "This is something we believe is really going to work for them."

Additionally, NFL Network is touting a sweepstakes offer that can net winners a trip to 2010 Pro Bowl.

ollowing the big market National Football Conference matchup with Bears-49ers tonight, NFL Network's slate also includes appearances by the two remaining unbeaten teams, the Indianapolis Colts (Dec. 17); and the New Orleans Saints, hosting America's Team, the Dallas Cowboys (Saturday Dec. 19); the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers (Dec. 10); and a Thanksgiving night game between the New York Giants-Denver Broncos fraught with playoff implications.

There's also a Christmas night contest with San Diego visiting Tennessee that on paper last spring was arguably the network's best game based on last season's performance, But now barring a real Music City Miracle by the disappointing Titans lacks its preseason luster.

"Every spring, you can say our schedule makers are either geniuses or idiots," she said. "I like our games."

http://www.multichannel.com/article/...les_Remain.php

[pwrmetal]

Originally Posted by fredfa

Why Disney would give the nation Miami-North Carolina in HD and leave Iowa-Ohio State in SD leaves me very puzzled.

Fred, I can't figure out ESPN's regional "bonus" games at all. Some weeks it's simple: there is your "local" game on ABC, and then either ESPN or ESPN2 shows one of the other "ABC" games. But, sometimes it only shows up on the SD channel (ie. the USC/Oregon game only aired here on ESPN2SD, while ESPN2HD aired ESPNNewsHD). Is there some weird rule about only giving regional games in SD, and what determines when/how it is enforced? I have to believe that in the midwest the OSU/Iowa game will air in HD (on ABC).