NBCUniversal has promoted veteran executive Rick Cordella to president of NBC Sports, reporting into Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group.
Cordella, who has served in a number of leadership roles at NBCU, now will lead all aspects of NBC Sports’ brands and platforms including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Digital and transactional businesses GolfNow and SportsEngine. He’ll work with NBC Local on regional sports network strategy and continue to oversee sports on streamer Peacock.
“Rick has been at the epicenter of NBC Sports for years with a proven track record of growth and innovation across platforms, particularly our flagship NBC network as well as Peacock, where he helped architect our leadership role in sports and streaming,” said Lazarus. Cordella, he added, “will oversee the evolution of our business as we continue to offer the best experiences and content to our viewers, as well as be...
Cordella, who has served in a number of leadership roles at NBCU, now will lead all aspects of NBC Sports’ brands and platforms including NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Digital and transactional businesses GolfNow and SportsEngine. He’ll work with NBC Local on regional sports network strategy and continue to oversee sports on streamer Peacock.
“Rick has been at the epicenter of NBC Sports for years with a proven track record of growth and innovation across platforms, particularly our flagship NBC network as well as Peacock, where he helped architect our leadership role in sports and streaming,” said Lazarus. Cordella, he added, “will oversee the evolution of our business as we continue to offer the best experiences and content to our viewers, as well as be...
- 9/22/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Rick Cordella has been promoted to president of NBC Sports. Previously, the executive served as the president of programming for both NBC and Peacock sports. He will report to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Media Group.
Cordella takes over the helm of NBC Sports from Pete Bevacqua, who assumed the role in 2019 and exited the company in June to become athletics director at the University of Notre Dame in the first quarter of 2024.
Cordella will lead all aspects of the brands and platforms covered by this division’s umbrella. That includes NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Digital as well as the company’s two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine. He will also work with the NBC local team on the network’s strategy when it comes to regional sports and will continue to oversee Peacock.
“Rick has been at the epicenter of NBC Sports for years...
Cordella takes over the helm of NBC Sports from Pete Bevacqua, who assumed the role in 2019 and exited the company in June to become athletics director at the University of Notre Dame in the first quarter of 2024.
Cordella will lead all aspects of the brands and platforms covered by this division’s umbrella. That includes NBC Sports, NBC Olympics, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Digital as well as the company’s two transactional sports businesses, GolfNow and SportsEngine. He will also work with the NBC local team on the network’s strategy when it comes to regional sports and will continue to oversee Peacock.
“Rick has been at the epicenter of NBC Sports for years...
- 9/22/2023
- by Kayla Cobb
- The Wrap
Rick Cordella is taking the field for NBC Sports.
The executive, who has been enmeshed in developing streaming products for NBCUniversal, has been named president of NBC Sports at a moment when many media companies are working on new models that will make big-ticket TV sports properties available to consumers who have fewer ties to traditional screens.
Cordella will report to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCU’s media assets. He will oversee all business tied to NBC Sports, NBCU’s Olympics broadcasts, the Golf Channel and NBC Sports’ digital operations. He will also work with NBC Local on strategies for local sports. He replaces Pete Bevacqua, who left NBC Sports to take on a role as athletic director at Notre Dame.
Cordella is no stranger to new sports frontiers. He has in recent years overseen programming strategy across broadcast, cable and streaming as president of programming for both NBC Sports and Peacock.
The executive, who has been enmeshed in developing streaming products for NBCUniversal, has been named president of NBC Sports at a moment when many media companies are working on new models that will make big-ticket TV sports properties available to consumers who have fewer ties to traditional screens.
Cordella will report to Mark Lazarus, chairman of NBCU’s media assets. He will oversee all business tied to NBC Sports, NBCU’s Olympics broadcasts, the Golf Channel and NBC Sports’ digital operations. He will also work with NBC Local on strategies for local sports. He replaces Pete Bevacqua, who left NBC Sports to take on a role as athletic director at Notre Dame.
Cordella is no stranger to new sports frontiers. He has in recent years overseen programming strategy across broadcast, cable and streaming as president of programming for both NBC Sports and Peacock.
- 9/22/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBC Sports has found its next leader.
Rick Cordella, a 17-year NBCUniversal veteran, is being elevated to president of NBC Sports. Cordella has held several roles in the company during his tenure and is currently president, programming for NBC Sports and Peacock Sports. He’ll take over as head of the division from Pete Bevacqua, who announced in June that he would leave the network to become the athletic director at his alma mater (and long-time NBC broadcast partner), Notre Dame.
Cordella will report to NBCUniversal Media Group chairman Mark Lazarus.
“Rick has been at the epicenter of NBC Sports for years with a proven track record of growth and innovation across platforms, particularly our flagship NBC network as well as Peacock, where he helped architect our leadership role in sports and streaming,” Lazarus said in a statement. “Rick will oversee the evolution of our business as we continue to...
Rick Cordella, a 17-year NBCUniversal veteran, is being elevated to president of NBC Sports. Cordella has held several roles in the company during his tenure and is currently president, programming for NBC Sports and Peacock Sports. He’ll take over as head of the division from Pete Bevacqua, who announced in June that he would leave the network to become the athletic director at his alma mater (and long-time NBC broadcast partner), Notre Dame.
Cordella will report to NBCUniversal Media Group chairman Mark Lazarus.
“Rick has been at the epicenter of NBC Sports for years with a proven track record of growth and innovation across platforms, particularly our flagship NBC network as well as Peacock, where he helped architect our leadership role in sports and streaming,” Lazarus said in a statement. “Rick will oversee the evolution of our business as we continue to...
- 9/22/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Religion of Sports and Showtime Sports are teaming up on “Goliath,” a new three-part docuseries examining the life, career and impact of basketball icon Wilt Chamberlain from his emergence on the national scene as a high schooler in the 1950s through his death in 1999.
“We are honored to team up with this group of talented filmmakers to bring the under-examined story of Wilt Chamberlain’s complex life to the masses,” Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza said in a statement. “Everybody knows Wilt for his legendary accomplishments on the basketball court — scoring 100 points in a game, averaging 50 points and 25 rebounds in a season — but there’s so much more to him than his stats. He was far ahead of his time in so many ways that will last infinitely longer than the numbers on a scoreboard.”
Also Read:
NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua to Exit for Notre Dame
The series, which...
“We are honored to team up with this group of talented filmmakers to bring the under-examined story of Wilt Chamberlain’s complex life to the masses,” Showtime Sports president Stephen Espinoza said in a statement. “Everybody knows Wilt for his legendary accomplishments on the basketball court — scoring 100 points in a game, averaging 50 points and 25 rebounds in a season — but there’s so much more to him than his stats. He was far ahead of his time in so many ways that will last infinitely longer than the numbers on a scoreboard.”
Also Read:
NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua to Exit for Notre Dame
The series, which...
- 6/8/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Wednesday night’s “Jeopardy!” contained 23 triple stumpers, meaning none of the three contestants guessed at all, making the Coryat, or final score, the lowest this season.
Competitor Collette Lee addressed the challenging game on Reddit.
“Collette here – Kristine [Rembach] and I commented on that to each other before Final, saying that we were worried we’d go viral for not knowing anything!” Lee wrote. “I personally tried to ‘keep calm and clam up’ to try to avoid ending up in the red with bad guesses but as the game wore on, especially in Double Jeopardy it was obvious we were collectively riding the struggle bus with our board!”
Also Read:
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Roast Final Puzzle That Cost Contestant $100,000: ‘No One Says That’
One fan on Reddit quoted the overall known record for triple stumpers as 24.
“My summary: Both Kristine and Collette were awesome players and the game could have gone anyone’s way.
Competitor Collette Lee addressed the challenging game on Reddit.
“Collette here – Kristine [Rembach] and I commented on that to each other before Final, saying that we were worried we’d go viral for not knowing anything!” Lee wrote. “I personally tried to ‘keep calm and clam up’ to try to avoid ending up in the red with bad guesses but as the game wore on, especially in Double Jeopardy it was obvious we were collectively riding the struggle bus with our board!”
Also Read:
‘Wheel of Fortune’ Fans Roast Final Puzzle That Cost Contestant $100,000: ‘No One Says That’
One fan on Reddit quoted the overall known record for triple stumpers as 24.
“My summary: Both Kristine and Collette were awesome players and the game could have gone anyone’s way.
- 6/8/2023
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
NBC Sports Group Chairman Pete Bevacqua is departing the company after a five-year run to become athletic director at his alma mater, the University of Notre Dame.
Bevacqua will succeed Jack Swarbrick when he steps down in 2024. Bevacqua will join the university on July 1 in the role of Special Assistant to the President for Athletics before assuming responsibility for the school’s athletics programs in the first quarter of 2024, according to a press release.
Rev. John Jenkins, who is president of the university, praised Swarbrick for leading the school to “unprecedented success” during his 15-year tenure. Bevacqua, a 1993 graduate of Notre Dame, will be a welcome presence “at this time of great chaos and disruption in college athletics,” Jenkins added.
“This is an unbelievable honor for me and a dream come true. With the exception of my family, nothing means more to me than the University of Notre Dame,” Bevacqua said.
Bevacqua will succeed Jack Swarbrick when he steps down in 2024. Bevacqua will join the university on July 1 in the role of Special Assistant to the President for Athletics before assuming responsibility for the school’s athletics programs in the first quarter of 2024, according to a press release.
Rev. John Jenkins, who is president of the university, praised Swarbrick for leading the school to “unprecedented success” during his 15-year tenure. Bevacqua, a 1993 graduate of Notre Dame, will be a welcome presence “at this time of great chaos and disruption in college athletics,” Jenkins added.
“This is an unbelievable honor for me and a dream come true. With the exception of my family, nothing means more to me than the University of Notre Dame,” Bevacqua said.
- 6/8/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC Sports chief Pete Bevacqua is leaving NBCUniversal to take on a new role as the athletic director at the University of Notre Dame, marking the second exit of a major executive from the Comcast-owned media giant since the ouster of former CEO Jeff Shell.
Bevacqua, who has played a large hand in steering NBCU’s sports efforts into digital arenas, will stay until the end of June, staffers were told in a memo Thursday. Executives at NBC Sports are expected to report to Mark Lazarus, the NBCU executive who once ran NBC Sports and currently oversees all of the company’s TV and streaming operations.
“Anyone who knows Pete will tell you that other than his family, Notre Dame is his next greatest love, and now he has been given the opportunity to have a huge impact on their storied sports programs and the institution in general,” Lazarus said in a statement.
Bevacqua, who has played a large hand in steering NBCU’s sports efforts into digital arenas, will stay until the end of June, staffers were told in a memo Thursday. Executives at NBC Sports are expected to report to Mark Lazarus, the NBCU executive who once ran NBC Sports and currently oversees all of the company’s TV and streaming operations.
“Anyone who knows Pete will tell you that other than his family, Notre Dame is his next greatest love, and now he has been given the opportunity to have a huge impact on their storied sports programs and the institution in general,” Lazarus said in a statement.
- 6/8/2023
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
In a major shake-up in the TV sports world, NBC Sports group chairman Pete Bevacqua will leave the company to become the athletic director for Notre Dame.
Bevacqua, a 1993 graduate of the university, joined NBC Sports as its president in 2018. He previously served as CEO of the PGA of America.
At Notre Dame he will succeed the longtime Ad Jack Swarbrick. He will officially start in his new role next year.
“Sometimes in life, someone gets an opportunity to take their ‘Dream Job”’ and today I’m writing to share the news that NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua will be leaving our Company to take his dream job,” wrote NBCUniversal TV and streaming chief Mark Lazarus in a memo to staff Thursday. “He will remain a friend to all of us, and now also becomes a partner, as we’ve been in business with Notre Dame since 1990, and we will continue to be,...
Bevacqua, a 1993 graduate of the university, joined NBC Sports as its president in 2018. He previously served as CEO of the PGA of America.
At Notre Dame he will succeed the longtime Ad Jack Swarbrick. He will officially start in his new role next year.
“Sometimes in life, someone gets an opportunity to take their ‘Dream Job”’ and today I’m writing to share the news that NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua will be leaving our Company to take his dream job,” wrote NBCUniversal TV and streaming chief Mark Lazarus in a memo to staff Thursday. “He will remain a friend to all of us, and now also becomes a partner, as we’ve been in business with Notre Dame since 1990, and we will continue to be,...
- 6/8/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics will be taking over daytime programming on NBC.
NBCUniversal announced its coverage plans for the upcoming summer games on Thursday, which includes at least nine hours of daytime programming on the broadcast network — more than any previous Olympics.
NBC plans to feature “that day’s most popular events live” across the morning and afternoon, including finals coverage of swimming, gymnastics, and track & field.
Following the daytime live coverage, NBC plans to deliver a primetime show each night with a three-hour recap of competitions, moments, and stories from the day’s events.
Peacock will be the streaming home of the 2024 Paris Olympics throughout the Games, which are scheduled to unfold from July 26 to August 11. In a first for the Summer Games, Peacock will stream every sport and event, including all 329 medal events, and will feature full-event replays. The streamer will also provide access to all NBC programming,...
NBCUniversal announced its coverage plans for the upcoming summer games on Thursday, which includes at least nine hours of daytime programming on the broadcast network — more than any previous Olympics.
NBC plans to feature “that day’s most popular events live” across the morning and afternoon, including finals coverage of swimming, gymnastics, and track & field.
Following the daytime live coverage, NBC plans to deliver a primetime show each night with a three-hour recap of competitions, moments, and stories from the day’s events.
Peacock will be the streaming home of the 2024 Paris Olympics throughout the Games, which are scheduled to unfold from July 26 to August 11. In a first for the Summer Games, Peacock will stream every sport and event, including all 329 medal events, and will feature full-event replays. The streamer will also provide access to all NBC programming,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Katie Campione
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal has stuck to a simple plan when it comes to its subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) streaming service. However, the way that the company has rolled out Peacock since the service’s launch in July 2020 has varied substantially from how other companies have entered the streaming space. Peacock is taking another big swing as it was announced on Thursday that the platform will provide live streams of every event at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Sign Up $4.99+ / month peacocktv.com
Peacock will stream every event from every sport, including all 329 medal events at the Games of the Xxxiii Olympiad. The service will also offer on-demand replays, complete NBC coverage, curated video clips, exclusive content, virtual channels, and more. The goal for NBCU is to provide the most-comprehensive Olympic coverage in U.S.-broadcast history.
NBC will provide a three-hour primetime recap show every evening designed to “take the American audience up close and inside the Olympic day.
Sign Up $4.99+ / month peacocktv.com
Peacock will stream every event from every sport, including all 329 medal events at the Games of the Xxxiii Olympiad. The service will also offer on-demand replays, complete NBC coverage, curated video clips, exclusive content, virtual channels, and more. The goal for NBCU is to provide the most-comprehensive Olympic coverage in U.S.-broadcast history.
NBC will provide a three-hour primetime recap show every evening designed to “take the American audience up close and inside the Olympic day.
- 5/11/2023
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
NBC is betting big on broadcast TV and its Peacock streaming service for its 2024 Paris Olympics coverage, as it embraces more live coverage of the summer games.
NBCUniversal said Thursday that it planned to stream all 2024 Olympics events live on Peacock next year, a first for the summer games (the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics only saw a handful of events streamed live). In addition, the company says that it will air at least nine hours of coverage during the daytime hours, including live coverage of the finals for key events like gymnastics, swimming, and track & field.
The company says that the 2024 Olympics will see the NBC broadcast network air more live programming than in any prior Olympics. Telemundo will, as usual, have exclusive Spanish-language rights.
At the same time, the company says it plans to offer an “enhanced” version of its traditional primetime show. In years past when time zones have proved challenging,...
NBCUniversal said Thursday that it planned to stream all 2024 Olympics events live on Peacock next year, a first for the summer games (the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics only saw a handful of events streamed live). In addition, the company says that it will air at least nine hours of coverage during the daytime hours, including live coverage of the finals for key events like gymnastics, swimming, and track & field.
The company says that the 2024 Olympics will see the NBC broadcast network air more live programming than in any prior Olympics. Telemundo will, as usual, have exclusive Spanish-language rights.
At the same time, the company says it plans to offer an “enhanced” version of its traditional primetime show. In years past when time zones have proved challenging,...
- 5/11/2023
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2024 Paris Summer Olympics will be covered across all of NBCUniversal’s platforms, including NBC and Peacock, the broadcast company announced Thursday.
The games of the Xxxiii Olympiad, which are set to begin July 26, 2024, will be covered for at least nine hours a day—more than any previous Olympics, NBC says. Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, will serve as a hub for live coverage as well as curated video clips, virtual channels and exclusive original programming.
“With Paris six hours ahead of the United States’ eastern time zone, the daytime takeover will feature that day’s most popular events live on NBC in the morning and afternoon,” NBCUniversal said in a statement. “Paris 2024 will have more programming hours on the NBC broadcast network than any previous Olympics.”
Peacock will stream every single event of the games, including all 329 medal events. During U.S. primetime, NBC will air a three-hour highlight...
The games of the Xxxiii Olympiad, which are set to begin July 26, 2024, will be covered for at least nine hours a day—more than any previous Olympics, NBC says. Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming service, will serve as a hub for live coverage as well as curated video clips, virtual channels and exclusive original programming.
“With Paris six hours ahead of the United States’ eastern time zone, the daytime takeover will feature that day’s most popular events live on NBC in the morning and afternoon,” NBCUniversal said in a statement. “Paris 2024 will have more programming hours on the NBC broadcast network than any previous Olympics.”
Peacock will stream every single event of the games, including all 329 medal events. During U.S. primetime, NBC will air a three-hour highlight...
- 5/11/2023
- by Mason Bissada
- The Wrap
Click here to read the full article.
The Big Ten has found three big broadcast partners for its new long-term media rights deal, one that will give the athletic conference nearly 8 billion dollars through the 2029-2030 season.
CBS, NBC and Fox will be the Big Ten’s media partners, with games set to air on the broadcast networks, FS1 and the Big Ten Network. NBCU’s Peacock will also get a handful of exclusive football and basketball games, with Peacock and Paramount+ also set to simulcast games from their respective broadcast networks.
In a statement, NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua said that the deal will make Peacock “a year-round destination for the best in college sports.”
CBS and Fox have been Big Ten media partners for years (Fox owns the Big Ten Network, while CBS is home to the March Madness basketball tournament), while NBC is a new addition. NBC...
The Big Ten has found three big broadcast partners for its new long-term media rights deal, one that will give the athletic conference nearly 8 billion dollars through the 2029-2030 season.
CBS, NBC and Fox will be the Big Ten’s media partners, with games set to air on the broadcast networks, FS1 and the Big Ten Network. NBCU’s Peacock will also get a handful of exclusive football and basketball games, with Peacock and Paramount+ also set to simulcast games from their respective broadcast networks.
In a statement, NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua said that the deal will make Peacock “a year-round destination for the best in college sports.”
CBS and Fox have been Big Ten media partners for years (Fox owns the Big Ten Network, while CBS is home to the March Madness basketball tournament), while NBC is a new addition. NBC...
- 8/18/2022
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paul Yanover is stepping down as president of the ticketing site Fandango after a decade at the company, being replaced by NBC Sports Next EVP Will McIntosh, who will also continue his duties at the digital sports division as president.
Fandango, which is owned by NBCUniversal, has spent the past decade expanding under Yanover’s leadership, acquiring the popular review site Rotten Tomatoes, the on-demand video platform Vudu, and movie social media site Flixster. Fandango also expanded its YouTube footprint with its channel Movieclips, which has 57 million subscribers and has become a popular site for its clips of beloved scenes from popular films.
Yanover will remain at Fandango in a transitionary role over the next two months. McIntosh’s promotion will see him oversee operations of all of Fandango’s sites as well as NBC Sports Next sites like GolfNOW and Golfpass, digital extensions of NBC Sports’ Golf Channel. He will report to Pete Bevacqua,...
Fandango, which is owned by NBCUniversal, has spent the past decade expanding under Yanover’s leadership, acquiring the popular review site Rotten Tomatoes, the on-demand video platform Vudu, and movie social media site Flixster. Fandango also expanded its YouTube footprint with its channel Movieclips, which has 57 million subscribers and has become a popular site for its clips of beloved scenes from popular films.
Yanover will remain at Fandango in a transitionary role over the next two months. McIntosh’s promotion will see him oversee operations of all of Fandango’s sites as well as NBC Sports Next sites like GolfNOW and Golfpass, digital extensions of NBC Sports’ Golf Channel. He will report to Pete Bevacqua,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Paul Yanover is stepping down as president of Fandango after nearly a decade atop the country’s leading movie ticketing service. He will be replaced by Will McIntosh, who currently serves as executive VP of NBC Sports Next.
His new role will be slightly different, as he will serve as president of both NBC Sports Next and Fandango. NBC Sports Next operates GolfNOW, GolfPass, SportsEngine and other sports-related digital and e-commerce applications. McIntosh will report to Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports and Matt Strauss, chairman of direct-to-consumer.
The well-liked, whip-smart Yanover will leave the company later this summer and will take time off before pursuing other endeavors. He joined Fandango in 2012, and worked to transform the business into more than a movie ticketing app, making it more of a digital network for film fans. Under his leadership, Fandango expanded its ticketing reach by buying MovieTickets.com, but it complimented that by buying Flixster,...
His new role will be slightly different, as he will serve as president of both NBC Sports Next and Fandango. NBC Sports Next operates GolfNOW, GolfPass, SportsEngine and other sports-related digital and e-commerce applications. McIntosh will report to Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports and Matt Strauss, chairman of direct-to-consumer.
The well-liked, whip-smart Yanover will leave the company later this summer and will take time off before pursuing other endeavors. He joined Fandango in 2012, and worked to transform the business into more than a movie ticketing app, making it more of a digital network for film fans. Under his leadership, Fandango expanded its ticketing reach by buying MovieTickets.com, but it complimented that by buying Flixster,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
After stepping into the booth several times last season, Mike Tirico has been tapped as the play-by-play announcer for “Sunday Night Football” on NBC with the legendary Al Michaels heading to Amazon Prime Video to call games for the streamer’s NFL package.
“When Mike joined NBC Sports in 2016, it was our plan for him to become our primetime Olympics host and the play-by-play voice of Sunday Night Football,” NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua said. “We are excited to have Mike join Cris Collinsworth full-time in the booth this season.”
Michaels is coming off his record 36th season as an NFL play-by-play announcer in prime time. Michaels, the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award in 2011, also called his 11th Super Bowl in February to match the most for a TV commentator. ESPN veteran Kirk Herbstreit will join Michaels at Amazon as color analyst.
“This is the new frontier in sports television,...
“When Mike joined NBC Sports in 2016, it was our plan for him to become our primetime Olympics host and the play-by-play voice of Sunday Night Football,” NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua said. “We are excited to have Mike join Cris Collinsworth full-time in the booth this season.”
Michaels is coming off his record 36th season as an NFL play-by-play announcer in prime time. Michaels, the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award in 2011, also called his 11th Super Bowl in February to match the most for a TV commentator. ESPN veteran Kirk Herbstreit will join Michaels at Amazon as color analyst.
“This is the new frontier in sports television,...
- 3/23/2022
- by Katie Campione
- The Wrap
After the legendary Al Michaels all but confirmed his move to Amazon to call games as part of the streamer’s new NFL package, NBC announced today that Mike Tirico will “join Cris Collinsworth full-time in the booth this season” for Sunday Night Football. The announcement would seem to confirm Michaels’ exit.
Tirico has made no bones about wanting the job, telling Richard Deitsch on his Sports Media Podcast last month that the SNF spot would be “a lifetime opportunity for me.” That’s saying something, given Tirico marshaled NBC’s Olympics and Super Bowl coverage this year.
Tirico explained that he’s kept himself sharp by calling games regularly. He likened play-by-play to a muscle that needs to be exercised.
“I’ve done a decade of prime-time NFL. I’ve done 200 NFL games. It was part of the reason I came to NBC. So I would hope so at this point,...
Tirico has made no bones about wanting the job, telling Richard Deitsch on his Sports Media Podcast last month that the SNF spot would be “a lifetime opportunity for me.” That’s saying something, given Tirico marshaled NBC’s Olympics and Super Bowl coverage this year.
Tirico explained that he’s kept himself sharp by calling games regularly. He likened play-by-play to a muscle that needs to be exercised.
“I’ve done a decade of prime-time NFL. I’ve done 200 NFL games. It was part of the reason I came to NBC. So I would hope so at this point,...
- 3/23/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Veteran sportscaster Mike Tirico will join NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” booth next fall, pairing up with analyst Cris Collinsworth in the latest shake up among the announcers who call the plays of TV’s most-watched sport.
Tirico fills a spot left vacant by the departure of Al Michaels, who is expected to join Amazon to call “Thursday Night Football.”
“When Mike joined NBC Sports in 2016, it was our plan for him to become our primetime Olympics host and the play-by-play voice of Sunday Night Football,” said Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports, in a statement. “We are excited to have Mike join Cris Collinsworth full-time in the booth this season.”
NBC confirms speculation about the future of its “Sunday Night Football” booth with an NFL meeting slated to take place later this week. The show has long been Michaels’ roost. But his contract ended after the network’s Super Bowl broadcast earlier this year,...
Tirico fills a spot left vacant by the departure of Al Michaels, who is expected to join Amazon to call “Thursday Night Football.”
“When Mike joined NBC Sports in 2016, it was our plan for him to become our primetime Olympics host and the play-by-play voice of Sunday Night Football,” said Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports, in a statement. “We are excited to have Mike join Cris Collinsworth full-time in the booth this season.”
NBC confirms speculation about the future of its “Sunday Night Football” booth with an NFL meeting slated to take place later this week. The show has long been Michaels’ roost. But his contract ended after the network’s Super Bowl broadcast earlier this year,...
- 3/22/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Ratings for the Beijing Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony for 2022 have hit a new low for linear television after NBC says on average 16 million people tuned into the telecast on Friday, according to preliminary data.
That’s down 43% from the 2018 winter games in PyeongChang, in which 28.3 million viewers tuned in. And it’s also below last year’s Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, in which the four-hour telecast averaged 17 million viewers. Before that, the previous low over the last three decades was the 1992 Barcelona games, which had 21.6 million viewers.
The Beijing opening ceremony aired live on NBC and streamed on the Peacock streaming service beginning at 6:30 Am Et on Friday morning, and it then aired again during primetime. And of TV-only viewers, Friday’s ceremony averaged 14 million viewers, which is in line with last year’s Summer Olympics opening ceremony and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The high...
That’s down 43% from the 2018 winter games in PyeongChang, in which 28.3 million viewers tuned in. And it’s also below last year’s Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony in Tokyo, in which the four-hour telecast averaged 17 million viewers. Before that, the previous low over the last three decades was the 1992 Barcelona games, which had 21.6 million viewers.
The Beijing opening ceremony aired live on NBC and streamed on the Peacock streaming service beginning at 6:30 Am Et on Friday morning, and it then aired again during primetime. And of TV-only viewers, Friday’s ceremony averaged 14 million viewers, which is in line with last year’s Summer Olympics opening ceremony and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The high...
- 2/6/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
NBC Sports will televise Usfl games along with Fox Sports when the pro football league returns in a new incarnation next spring.
Starting in April, NBCUniversal will carry 21 Usfl games in 2022, with eight on NBC, nine on USA Network and four on Peacock. Fox will have 22 games, 12 on its flagship broadcast network and 10 on cable’s FS1.
The Usfl’s 20 national over-the-air broadcast windows will exceed the number for any regularly scheduled sport in the first half of 2022, according to the league.
The newly constituted Usfl is controlled by Fox Sports and not affiliated with the original organization, which had a short but tumultuous run in the 1980s. While many alternatives to the NFL have been attempted, none has managed to survive for long. The XFL, which was forced into bankruptcy in 2020 due to Covid,...
Starting in April, NBCUniversal will carry 21 Usfl games in 2022, with eight on NBC, nine on USA Network and four on Peacock. Fox will have 22 games, 12 on its flagship broadcast network and 10 on cable’s FS1.
The Usfl’s 20 national over-the-air broadcast windows will exceed the number for any regularly scheduled sport in the first half of 2022, according to the league.
The newly constituted Usfl is controlled by Fox Sports and not affiliated with the original organization, which had a short but tumultuous run in the 1980s. While many alternatives to the NFL have been attempted, none has managed to survive for long. The XFL, which was forced into bankruptcy in 2020 due to Covid,...
- 12/15/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCU execs are wrestling with what could be their biggest sports challenge yet: the Quiet Olympics.
Broadcasting and streaming the Tokyo Summer Games already had a high degree of difficulty due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Then Japan declared a state of emergency late last week, and banned live crowds, adding all kinds of new hurdles to the massive production slated to kick off July 23. Will the events seem as powerful and captivating without the roar of the crowd? Can sportscasters communicate the spirit and substance of the games without the hoopla fans have come to expect?
NBC’s top sports exec insists they can.
“We’re confident that the viewer at home won’t notice a difference,” says Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports, in emailed responses to queries. “In order to compensate for no international spectators, our production team has worked for months on an elaborate...
Broadcasting and streaming the Tokyo Summer Games already had a high degree of difficulty due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Then Japan declared a state of emergency late last week, and banned live crowds, adding all kinds of new hurdles to the massive production slated to kick off July 23. Will the events seem as powerful and captivating without the roar of the crowd? Can sportscasters communicate the spirit and substance of the games without the hoopla fans have come to expect?
NBC’s top sports exec insists they can.
“We’re confident that the viewer at home won’t notice a difference,” says Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports, in emailed responses to queries. “In order to compensate for no international spectators, our production team has worked for months on an elaborate...
- 7/15/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBCUniversal put its best game face on, hosting a nearly two-hour event for press to promote its coverage of the Tokyo Olympics, which begins in 30 days.
The event at 30 Rockefeller Center’s Studio 8-h, which was also livestreamed, featured panels of executives and talent but fairly limited talk of the coronavirus pandemic. Already postponed once from the planned 2020 summer dates, the Games have come under a new set of dark clouds. Japan has seen a significant rise in Covid-19 infections this year, and only 7% of its population has been vaccinated.
Due to safety concerns, medical experts and others both inside and outside Japan have issued strong calls for the Olympics to be pushed again. Protesters took to the streets of Tokyo earlier in the day, reflecting polls of public sentiment that have shown in recent weeks that a decisive majority of residents opposes the Games being held.
“I’m personally...
The event at 30 Rockefeller Center’s Studio 8-h, which was also livestreamed, featured panels of executives and talent but fairly limited talk of the coronavirus pandemic. Already postponed once from the planned 2020 summer dates, the Games have come under a new set of dark clouds. Japan has seen a significant rise in Covid-19 infections this year, and only 7% of its population has been vaccinated.
Due to safety concerns, medical experts and others both inside and outside Japan have issued strong calls for the Olympics to be pushed again. Protesters took to the streets of Tokyo earlier in the day, reflecting polls of public sentiment that have shown in recent weeks that a decisive majority of residents opposes the Games being held.
“I’m personally...
- 6/23/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Premier Lacrosse League, which staged a successful bubble season in Utah during the rise of Covid-19 last year, has set its 2021 broadcast schedule.
As pandemic limitations ease, games will be played in 11 U.S. cities starting early next month in front of limited crowds. Beyond the Covid comeback, the June-to-September TV and streaming schedule (see it in full below) is noteworthy for the 23 games exclusive to Peacock Premium. All 44 regular-season and playoff matchups will stream on Peacock, but about half will be simulcasts with NBC and cable’s NBC Sports Network.
The league is in the third and final year of its rights deal with NBCUniversal and is migrating from premium service NBC Sports Gold to Peacock. Nbcsn will also be unplugged at the end of 2021, NBCU has said, with live sports shifting to USA Network and Peacock. The streaming service, which has drawn 42 million sign-ups as of March 31, has embraced live sports,...
As pandemic limitations ease, games will be played in 11 U.S. cities starting early next month in front of limited crowds. Beyond the Covid comeback, the June-to-September TV and streaming schedule (see it in full below) is noteworthy for the 23 games exclusive to Peacock Premium. All 44 regular-season and playoff matchups will stream on Peacock, but about half will be simulcasts with NBC and cable’s NBC Sports Network.
The league is in the third and final year of its rights deal with NBCUniversal and is migrating from premium service NBC Sports Gold to Peacock. Nbcsn will also be unplugged at the end of 2021, NBCU has said, with live sports shifting to USA Network and Peacock. The streaming service, which has drawn 42 million sign-ups as of March 31, has embraced live sports,...
- 5/12/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
The NFL season ended weeks ago, but some of the media’s biggest players have been scrambling to keep professional football in the spotlight.
Under a series of critically important rights deals unveiled Thursday between the National Football League and some of the nation’s biggest media companies, “Thursday Night Football” will no longer be shown on broadcast TV and Walt Disney’s ABC will air the Super Bowl for the first time in more than 15 years. The moves come after the NFL cemented new pacts that will keep the bulk of its games under the purview of traditional media outlets through 2033, even as it expanded its reach into the new ways its fans are experiencing the game, including streaming video and gaming.
Fox, which had previously aired “Thursday,” will keep its Sunday-afternoon games, as will CBS. NBC will stick with “Sunday Night Football’ and Disney’s ESPN will extend...
Under a series of critically important rights deals unveiled Thursday between the National Football League and some of the nation’s biggest media companies, “Thursday Night Football” will no longer be shown on broadcast TV and Walt Disney’s ABC will air the Super Bowl for the first time in more than 15 years. The moves come after the NFL cemented new pacts that will keep the bulk of its games under the purview of traditional media outlets through 2033, even as it expanded its reach into the new ways its fans are experiencing the game, including streaming video and gaming.
Fox, which had previously aired “Thursday,” will keep its Sunday-afternoon games, as will CBS. NBC will stick with “Sunday Night Football’ and Disney’s ESPN will extend...
- 3/18/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Drew Brees has retired from the NFL and joined NBC Sports as a studio analyst for “Football Night in America” and a game analyst for Notre Dame football games.
The former San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints quarterback will also work the group’s major events, like the Olympics and Super Bowl Lvi, NBC Sports said.
Inglewood, California’s Super Bowl is set to air on NBC on Feb. 6, 2022. Hopefully the coronavirus pandemic will be behind us by then and the brand new SoFi Stadium will be a packed house.
The 2020 Summer Olympics were delayed due to Covid-19, and are expected to open on Friday, July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
“We’re excited to have Drew join our team,” NBC Sports Group Chairman Pete Bevacqua said in a statement on Monday morning. “We know that Drew will apply the same work ethic and continuously positive attitude to everything he touches...
The former San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints quarterback will also work the group’s major events, like the Olympics and Super Bowl Lvi, NBC Sports said.
Inglewood, California’s Super Bowl is set to air on NBC on Feb. 6, 2022. Hopefully the coronavirus pandemic will be behind us by then and the brand new SoFi Stadium will be a packed house.
The 2020 Summer Olympics were delayed due to Covid-19, and are expected to open on Friday, July 23, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
“We’re excited to have Drew join our team,” NBC Sports Group Chairman Pete Bevacqua said in a statement on Monday morning. “We know that Drew will apply the same work ethic and continuously positive attitude to everything he touches...
- 3/15/2021
- by Tony Maglio
- The Wrap
Drew Brees has jumped off the playing field into a sizable job as a sports analyst for NBC.
The former New Orleans Saints quarterback, who just announced his retirement yesterday, will join NBC Sports as a studio analyst for “Football Night in America” and game analyst for its coverage of Notre Dame Football. But the job seems to come with some promises of growth: Brees will also work on many of NBC Sports’ biggest events, including the Olympics and Super Bowl Lvi.
Brees announced the decision Monday on NBC’s “Today.”
“We’re excited to have Drew join our team,” said Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports Group, in a prepared statement. “We know that Drew will apply the same work ethic and continuously positive attitude to everything he touches at NBC Sports and we know, as his new teammates, he’ll make us better.”
Brees has, over the course...
The former New Orleans Saints quarterback, who just announced his retirement yesterday, will join NBC Sports as a studio analyst for “Football Night in America” and game analyst for its coverage of Notre Dame Football. But the job seems to come with some promises of growth: Brees will also work on many of NBC Sports’ biggest events, including the Olympics and Super Bowl Lvi.
Brees announced the decision Monday on NBC’s “Today.”
“We’re excited to have Drew join our team,” said Pete Bevacqua, chairman of NBC Sports Group, in a prepared statement. “We know that Drew will apply the same work ethic and continuously positive attitude to everything he touches at NBC Sports and we know, as his new teammates, he’ll make us better.”
Brees has, over the course...
- 3/15/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
For the first time ever, NBC will air a live morning broadcast of an Olympic opening ceremony. The four-hour Tokyo Opening Ceremony on July 23 will kick off a full day of Olympic programming on NBC. It will be followed by a special edition of Today with reaction and athlete interviews, and then NBC’s first-ever Olympic Daytime show on the opening Friday of the Games at 1 p.m. Et/10 a.m. Pt.
The Opening Ceremony will air live on NBC across all time zones starting at 6:55 a.m. Et/3:55 a.m. Pt. With Tokyo 13 hours ahead of the East Coast, the Opening Ceremony begins at 8 p.m. in Japan, which is 7 a.m. Et/4 a.m. Pt.
The Tokyo Opening Ceremony will be the first major global gathering since the worldwide pandemic began last year. Japan’s prime minister announced in March 2020, that due to the pandemic, the...
The Opening Ceremony will air live on NBC across all time zones starting at 6:55 a.m. Et/3:55 a.m. Pt. With Tokyo 13 hours ahead of the East Coast, the Opening Ceremony begins at 8 p.m. in Japan, which is 7 a.m. Et/4 a.m. Pt.
The Tokyo Opening Ceremony will be the first major global gathering since the worldwide pandemic began last year. Japan’s prime minister announced in March 2020, that due to the pandemic, the...
- 2/10/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympics have long been something reserved for primetime TV — a glitzy event that draws big crowds with spectacle and flash. For the 2021 version, however, NBC plans to make them available before most viewers have had their first cup of coffee for the day.
NBC plans to pre-empt an entire day of programming on the opening day of the next Summer Olympics, offering a telecast of the early ceremonies as they happen live on July 23, between 6:55 a.m. eastern and 11 a.m. eastern. They will be followed by a mid-afternoon broadcast of NBC News’ “Today,” three hours of afternoon coverage and a re-broadcast of the opening event in the evening. The break with tradition comes after the Summer Games have been delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic and as NBC’s parent company, Comcast, hopes to make good on a massive...
NBC plans to pre-empt an entire day of programming on the opening day of the next Summer Olympics, offering a telecast of the early ceremonies as they happen live on July 23, between 6:55 a.m. eastern and 11 a.m. eastern. They will be followed by a mid-afternoon broadcast of NBC News’ “Today,” three hours of afternoon coverage and a re-broadcast of the opening event in the evening. The break with tradition comes after the Summer Games have been delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic and as NBC’s parent company, Comcast, hopes to make good on a massive...
- 2/10/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBC‘s coverage of this summer’s Tokyo Olympics will kick off Friday, July 23 with the network’s first-ever live morning broadcast of an opening ceremony. And when we say “morning,” we mean it for all time zones, especially on the West Coast where the pageantry will start up before 4 am.
(With Tokyo 13 hours ahead of the East Coast of the United States, the Opening Ceremony — which is anticipated to be “the first major global gathering since the worldwide pandemic began last year” — begins in Japan at 8 pm.)
More from TVLineChicago Fire's Miranda Rae Mayo and Taylor Kinney Answer the...
(With Tokyo 13 hours ahead of the East Coast of the United States, the Opening Ceremony — which is anticipated to be “the first major global gathering since the worldwide pandemic began last year” — begins in Japan at 8 pm.)
More from TVLineChicago Fire's Miranda Rae Mayo and Taylor Kinney Answer the...
- 2/10/2021
- by Matt Webb Mitovich
- TVLine.com
NBC Universal will shut down sports channel Nbcsn by the end of the year, with several prominent events – most notably, the National Hockey League to USA Network – sent to other properties.
The move was announced Friday by NBC Universal..
“At the conclusion of 2021, we have decided that the best strategic next step for our Sports Group and the entire Company is to wind down Nbcsn completely, with key elements of Nbcsn’s programming moving to USA Network and, in some cases, Peacock for 2022 and beyond,” NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua wrote in an internal memo. “This will make USA Network an extraordinarily powerful platform in the media marketplace, and gives our sports programming a significant audience boost.”
NASCAR events will join the NHL on the USA Network. The English Premier League, which was streamed several times on Peacock, hasn’t had its future determined for US television.
NBC has carried the NHL games for 15 years,...
The move was announced Friday by NBC Universal..
“At the conclusion of 2021, we have decided that the best strategic next step for our Sports Group and the entire Company is to wind down Nbcsn completely, with key elements of Nbcsn’s programming moving to USA Network and, in some cases, Peacock for 2022 and beyond,” NBC Sports Chairman Pete Bevacqua wrote in an internal memo. “This will make USA Network an extraordinarily powerful platform in the media marketplace, and gives our sports programming a significant audience boost.”
NASCAR events will join the NHL on the USA Network. The English Premier League, which was streamed several times on Peacock, hasn’t had its future determined for US television.
NBC has carried the NHL games for 15 years,...
- 1/23/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
In the latest sign of the media industry’s rethink of the traditional pay-tv bundle, NBCUniversal says it will wind down the operations of its sports cable outlet Nbcsn by the end of the year.
Live telecasts on the network of sports events like NASCAR races and NHL hockey will migrate to USA Network and, to a lesser extent, nascent streaming service Peacock.
NBCU’s deal with the NHL, whose games provided a core programming element for Nbcsn, expires at the end of the current season, but the company has expressed enthusiasm for renewing the agreement.
Nbcsn has existed under other names and brands, including Outdoor Life Network and Versus, since its initial launch in 1995. While over the years it has added coverage of niche sports like cycling and lacrosse to its better-known offerings, Nbcsn has not managed to consistently compete with more mature cable rival ESPN. Fox’s FS...
Live telecasts on the network of sports events like NASCAR races and NHL hockey will migrate to USA Network and, to a lesser extent, nascent streaming service Peacock.
NBCU’s deal with the NHL, whose games provided a core programming element for Nbcsn, expires at the end of the current season, but the company has expressed enthusiasm for renewing the agreement.
Nbcsn has existed under other names and brands, including Outdoor Life Network and Versus, since its initial launch in 1995. While over the years it has added coverage of niche sports like cycling and lacrosse to its better-known offerings, Nbcsn has not managed to consistently compete with more mature cable rival ESPN. Fox’s FS...
- 1/22/2021
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
NBCUniversal has decided to shut down its national sports cable network, Nbcsn, by the end of this year.
Much of its network’s programming, including the NHL, NASCAR and English Premier League, will move over to USA Network and streaming service Peacock. USA will begin to simulcast some of Nbcsn’s games this year until the network winds down completely. The decision also comes as NBC is in its final year under its current NHL rights deal. It’s media deal with the Premier League expires next year.
“We’re all aware of how quickly the media landscape is evolving, and our Company is taking thoughtful steps to stay ahead of these trends wherever possible and, in many instances, help set them,” NBC Sports president Pete Bevacqua said in a memo on Friday. “At the conclusion of 2021, we have decided that the best strategic next step for our Sports Group...
Much of its network’s programming, including the NHL, NASCAR and English Premier League, will move over to USA Network and streaming service Peacock. USA will begin to simulcast some of Nbcsn’s games this year until the network winds down completely. The decision also comes as NBC is in its final year under its current NHL rights deal. It’s media deal with the Premier League expires next year.
“We’re all aware of how quickly the media landscape is evolving, and our Company is taking thoughtful steps to stay ahead of these trends wherever possible and, in many instances, help set them,” NBC Sports president Pete Bevacqua said in a memo on Friday. “At the conclusion of 2021, we have decided that the best strategic next step for our Sports Group...
- 1/22/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
NBCUniversal is pulling the plug on Nbcsn, its cable sports network.
The channel will shut down by the end of 2021, with its signature live sporting events airing instead on USA Network and Peacock.
According to a memo to staff from NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua, NHL games (including Stanley Cup playoff games) and NASCAR races will start running on USA later this year, “with key elements of Nbcsn’s programming moving to USA Network and, in some cases, Peacock for 2022 and beyond.”
The channel, which launched in 1995 and went through a few iterations before rebranding as ...
The channel will shut down by the end of 2021, with its signature live sporting events airing instead on USA Network and Peacock.
According to a memo to staff from NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua, NHL games (including Stanley Cup playoff games) and NASCAR races will start running on USA later this year, “with key elements of Nbcsn’s programming moving to USA Network and, in some cases, Peacock for 2022 and beyond.”
The channel, which launched in 1995 and went through a few iterations before rebranding as ...
- 1/22/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
NBCUniversal is pulling the plug on Nbcsn, its cable sports network.
The channel will shut down by the end of 2021, with its signature live sporting events airing instead on USA Network and Peacock.
According to a memo to staff from NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua, NHL games (including Stanley Cup playoff contests) and NASCAR races will start running on USA this year, “with key elements of Nbcsn’s programming moving to USA Network and, in some cases, Peacock for 2022 and beyond.”
The channel, which launched in 1995 and went through a few iterations before rebranding as NBC ...
The channel will shut down by the end of 2021, with its signature live sporting events airing instead on USA Network and Peacock.
According to a memo to staff from NBC Sports chairman Pete Bevacqua, NHL games (including Stanley Cup playoff contests) and NASCAR races will start running on USA this year, “with key elements of Nbcsn’s programming moving to USA Network and, in some cases, Peacock for 2022 and beyond.”
The channel, which launched in 1995 and went through a few iterations before rebranding as NBC ...
- 1/22/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Following the Washington Football Team and Philadelphia matchup, the 15th season of NBC’s Sunday Night Football ended with a bang as it is on pace to being the top primetime TV show for fall for the 10th year in a row.
Based on Nielsen data, SNF extended its record for the most consecutive years at the top of the charts since 1950. In a distant 2nd place, American Idol topped the chart for six years, from the 2005-06 season through 2010-11 while The Cosby Show topped the charts for five years from 1985-86 through 1989-90, tying with Cheers. All in the Family also held the top spot for five years from 1971-72 through 1975-76.
SNF posted a Total Audience Delivery (Tad) average of 17.4 million viewers for the 2020 season, according to official national live plus same day data released by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
“We salute our tireless production and engineering teams,...
Based on Nielsen data, SNF extended its record for the most consecutive years at the top of the charts since 1950. In a distant 2nd place, American Idol topped the chart for six years, from the 2005-06 season through 2010-11 while The Cosby Show topped the charts for five years from 1985-86 through 1989-90, tying with Cheers. All in the Family also held the top spot for five years from 1971-72 through 1975-76.
SNF posted a Total Audience Delivery (Tad) average of 17.4 million viewers for the 2020 season, according to official national live plus same day data released by Nielsen, and digital data from Adobe Analytics.
“We salute our tireless production and engineering teams,...
- 1/6/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Steve Kornacki has a new job that lets him keep his old uniform.
MSNBC viewers revere the khaki-and-dress-shirt-clad correspondent’s ability to synthesize reams of polling data that helps them understand the twists and turns of various elections. Just a month ago, Kornacki manipulated a giant touch screen during hours and hours of MSNBC 2020 election coverage — and helped millions of anxious viewers get through one of the most harrowing political events in recent memory.
Now he’s hoping to do the same for football fans.
Kornacki just finished a second week of Sunday duty for NBC Sports, making regular appearances on ”Football Night in America” and the halftime show of ”Sunday Night Football.” He’s not looking at how many votes Trump or Biden may have left in Arizona’s Maricopa County. He’s examining the potential for the Miami Dolphins or Baltimore Ravens to reach the playoffs. “There’s...
MSNBC viewers revere the khaki-and-dress-shirt-clad correspondent’s ability to synthesize reams of polling data that helps them understand the twists and turns of various elections. Just a month ago, Kornacki manipulated a giant touch screen during hours and hours of MSNBC 2020 election coverage — and helped millions of anxious viewers get through one of the most harrowing political events in recent memory.
Now he’s hoping to do the same for football fans.
Kornacki just finished a second week of Sunday duty for NBC Sports, making regular appearances on ”Football Night in America” and the halftime show of ”Sunday Night Football.” He’s not looking at how many votes Trump or Biden may have left in Arizona’s Maricopa County. He’s examining the potential for the Miami Dolphins or Baltimore Ravens to reach the playoffs. “There’s...
- 12/15/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
NBCUniversal is moving Universal Television Alternative Studio under Pearlena Igbokwe and the Universal Studio Group, which covers all aspects of TV production.
Utas president Toby Gorman will remain on and join Igbokwe’s leadership team. Gorman will continue to oversee development, domestic sales strategy and creative affairs for the studio.
The decision follows the ouster of top unscripted executive Meredith Ahr, who had oversight of the Alternative Studio. Ahr was fired following an investigation into her and former NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy’s workplace behavior. Telegdy and Ahr were both accused by multiple employees of fostering a toxic workplace environment. Telegdy was let go in August amid a larger NBCU shakeup.
Ahr had led the unscripted TV division since 2018, where she oversaw all facets of the division including syndicated series like “Access Hollywood” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Before that, she was president of Universal Television Alternative Studio. Ahr...
Utas president Toby Gorman will remain on and join Igbokwe’s leadership team. Gorman will continue to oversee development, domestic sales strategy and creative affairs for the studio.
The decision follows the ouster of top unscripted executive Meredith Ahr, who had oversight of the Alternative Studio. Ahr was fired following an investigation into her and former NBC Entertainment chairman Paul Telegdy’s workplace behavior. Telegdy and Ahr were both accused by multiple employees of fostering a toxic workplace environment. Telegdy was let go in August amid a larger NBCU shakeup.
Ahr had led the unscripted TV division since 2018, where she oversaw all facets of the division including syndicated series like “Access Hollywood” and “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Before that, she was president of Universal Television Alternative Studio. Ahr...
- 10/15/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
NBCUniversal made it official on Monday, naming former Warner Bros. TV executive Susan Rovner as chairman of its entertainment programming division. She starts Monday. Rovner will oversee all programming decisions at NBCU, including for scripted and unscripted content, late-night shows, and Peacock, the company’s new streaming service. She’ll also be in charge of NBC’s slate of cable channels, including Bravo, E!, USA and Syfy, as well as first-run syndicated programming including “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” Rovner’s hire is the last piece of NBCU’s new structure under CEO Jeff Shell, who has reorganized the television side of the business into three parts: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business. Peacock chief Matt Strauss runs the direct to consumer unit, while Frances Berwick heads up the Entertainment Business division, where she’ll work closely with Rovner. Both will report to Matt Lazarus, chairman of television and streaming.
- 10/5/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Pete Bevacqua, who joined NBC Sports in 2018 as its first president in nearly a decade, has been elevated to the top role at the NBCUniversal-owned unit.
Bevacqua, the former CEO of the Professional Golf Association, was named chairman of NBC Sports Group, filling a role that was vacated when Mark Lazarus took on a bigger role within the parent company.
“In his time with NBC Sports, Pete has been exceptional working with our league and organizational partners, as well as in collaboration with other NBCUniversal leaders to strengthen our sports production and overall business in a challenging environment,” said Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, in a statement.
During Bevacqua’s time with NBC Sports, the unit has expanded its portfolio of golf rights; moved more directly into sports betting; and worked to position NBC Sports for a consumer base increasingly focused on streaming video on demand.
NBC Sports in June snared U.
Bevacqua, the former CEO of the Professional Golf Association, was named chairman of NBC Sports Group, filling a role that was vacated when Mark Lazarus took on a bigger role within the parent company.
“In his time with NBC Sports, Pete has been exceptional working with our league and organizational partners, as well as in collaboration with other NBCUniversal leaders to strengthen our sports production and overall business in a challenging environment,” said Lazarus, chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, in a statement.
During Bevacqua’s time with NBC Sports, the unit has expanded its portfolio of golf rights; moved more directly into sports betting; and worked to position NBC Sports for a consumer base increasingly focused on streaming video on demand.
NBC Sports in June snared U.
- 9/24/2020
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Pete Bevacqua, who joined NBC Sports in 2018 after stints at the PGA Tour and CAA, has been named the third NBC Sports Group chairman in the company’s history.
The news was announced Thursday by Mark Lazarus, who led the sports division before assuming his current role as chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. Dick Ebersol also held the sports chairman post.
“In his time with NBC Sports, Pete has been exceptional working with our league and organizational partners, as well as in collaboration with other NBCUniversal leaders to strengthen our sports production and overall business in a challenging environment,” Lazarus said in a press release.
In June, Bevacqua spearheaded the re-acquisition of complete U.S. media rights for all United States Golf Association championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, through 2026. Last spring, he was part of the NBCUniversal team which completed a pair...
The news was announced Thursday by Mark Lazarus, who led the sports division before assuming his current role as chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. Dick Ebersol also held the sports chairman post.
“In his time with NBC Sports, Pete has been exceptional working with our league and organizational partners, as well as in collaboration with other NBCUniversal leaders to strengthen our sports production and overall business in a challenging environment,” Lazarus said in a press release.
In June, Bevacqua spearheaded the re-acquisition of complete U.S. media rights for all United States Golf Association championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open, through 2026. Last spring, he was part of the NBCUniversal team which completed a pair...
- 9/24/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Pete Bevacqua has been promoted to chairman of NBC Sports Group.
With the promotion, Bevacqua becomes only the third chairman in the Group’s history, along with Mark Lazarus and Dick Ebersol. Lazarus has since risen up NBCUniversal’s corporate depth chart, where he serves as chairman of NBCU television and streaming. Bevacqua joined NBCUniversal in September 2018 as President, NBC Sports Group, overseeing programming, marketing, digital, the NBC Sports Regional Networks, and all Golf businesses. In February 2019, Bevacqua assumed oversight of the entire sports division.
Under Bevacqua, NBC Sports renewed its PGA Tour deal for nine more years and acquired one of the new NFL Wild Card games as part of its expanded playoffs this season, which will simulcast on Peacock (along with NBC). In June, NBC Sports re-acquired the rest of the media rights for golf’s U.S. Open through 2026, buying out the rest of Fox’s deal.
With the promotion, Bevacqua becomes only the third chairman in the Group’s history, along with Mark Lazarus and Dick Ebersol. Lazarus has since risen up NBCUniversal’s corporate depth chart, where he serves as chairman of NBCU television and streaming. Bevacqua joined NBCUniversal in September 2018 as President, NBC Sports Group, overseeing programming, marketing, digital, the NBC Sports Regional Networks, and all Golf businesses. In February 2019, Bevacqua assumed oversight of the entire sports division.
Under Bevacqua, NBC Sports renewed its PGA Tour deal for nine more years and acquired one of the new NFL Wild Card games as part of its expanded playoffs this season, which will simulcast on Peacock (along with NBC). In June, NBC Sports re-acquired the rest of the media rights for golf’s U.S. Open through 2026, buying out the rest of Fox’s deal.
- 9/24/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
NBCUniversal has named Pete Bevacqua chairman of NBC Sports Group, the company said Thursday. Bevacqua, who had been president of the NBC Sports Group, will become only the third chairman in its history, following Mark Lazarus and Dick Ebersol.
Bevacqua will continue to report to Lazarus, who was elevated to chairman of NBCUniversal television and streaming earlier this year.
Since taking over NBCU’s sports division Bevacqua secured new deals with the U.S. Golf Association for the U.S. Open, as well as a nine-year extension with the PGA Tour. NBC Sports also struck a deal with the NFL ...
Bevacqua will continue to report to Lazarus, who was elevated to chairman of NBCUniversal television and streaming earlier this year.
Since taking over NBCU’s sports division Bevacqua secured new deals with the U.S. Golf Association for the U.S. Open, as well as a nine-year extension with the PGA Tour. NBC Sports also struck a deal with the NFL ...
- 9/24/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
NBCUniversal has named Pete Bevacqua chairman of NBC Sports Group, the company said Thursday. Bevacqua, who had been president of the NBC Sports Group, will become only the third chairman in its history, following Mark Lazarus and Dick Ebersol.
Bevacqua will continue to report to Lazarus, who was elevated to chairman of NBCUniversal television and streaming earlier this year.
Since taking over NBCU’s sports division Bevacqua secured new deals with the U.S. Golf Association for the U.S. Open, as well as a nine-year extension with the PGA Tour. NBC Sports also struck a deal with the NFL ...
Bevacqua will continue to report to Lazarus, who was elevated to chairman of NBCUniversal television and streaming earlier this year.
Since taking over NBCU’s sports division Bevacqua secured new deals with the U.S. Golf Association for the U.S. Open, as well as a nine-year extension with the PGA Tour. NBC Sports also struck a deal with the NFL ...
- 9/24/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Pearlena Igbokwe wasted no time in setting her leadership team for the Universal Studio Group, which covers all aspects of TV production at the company.
Masami Yamamoto was named president of business affairs and operations, overseeing all aspects of business affairs for the global studio group including negotiations and deal-making for Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios.
Brad Melnick will be chief financial officer, responsible for financial performance, production finance, long-range planning and strategy.
Tracy St. Pierre was promoted to EVP of communications and marketing; Bryan Mu was made SVP of content and cultural insights, leading resarch and analytics to drive strategic planning and audience insights.
Jodi Dicenzo was elevated to global head of human resources, and Marni Pedorella was named general counsel of Universal Studio Group reporting to both Igbokwe and Kim Harris, EVP and general counsel for NBCUniversal.
Universal Studio Group is comprised of Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios.
Masami Yamamoto was named president of business affairs and operations, overseeing all aspects of business affairs for the global studio group including negotiations and deal-making for Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios.
Brad Melnick will be chief financial officer, responsible for financial performance, production finance, long-range planning and strategy.
Tracy St. Pierre was promoted to EVP of communications and marketing; Bryan Mu was made SVP of content and cultural insights, leading resarch and analytics to drive strategic planning and audience insights.
Jodi Dicenzo was elevated to global head of human resources, and Marni Pedorella was named general counsel of Universal Studio Group reporting to both Igbokwe and Kim Harris, EVP and general counsel for NBCUniversal.
Universal Studio Group is comprised of Universal Television, Ucp and NBCUniversal International Studios.
- 9/17/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Frances Berwick has revealed the senior leadership team that will work under her as part of NBCUniversal’s Entertainment Business division.
The former Lifestyle Networks president took on the larger role within the company as part of a restructure that saw Paul Telegdy exit his post as NBC Entertainment Chairman.
This comes as Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks, USA Network & Syfy, is leaving NBCUniversal after 19 years at the company’s flagship entertainment cable networks.
NBCU consolidated all of its English-language linear networks into one group, overseen by Berwick on the business side. Berwick will have operational oversight of all networks and dayparts and be responsible for commissioning and acquiring content to be optimized across these platforms. Additionally, Berwick’s team will implement windowing and scheduling strategies across the NBC broadcast network and the cable entertainment networks.
Susan Rovner, who Warner Bros confirmed was leaving her role as President of Warner Bros Television,...
The former Lifestyle Networks president took on the larger role within the company as part of a restructure that saw Paul Telegdy exit his post as NBC Entertainment Chairman.
This comes as Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks, USA Network & Syfy, is leaving NBCUniversal after 19 years at the company’s flagship entertainment cable networks.
NBCU consolidated all of its English-language linear networks into one group, overseen by Berwick on the business side. Berwick will have operational oversight of all networks and dayparts and be responsible for commissioning and acquiring content to be optimized across these platforms. Additionally, Berwick’s team will implement windowing and scheduling strategies across the NBC broadcast network and the cable entertainment networks.
Susan Rovner, who Warner Bros confirmed was leaving her role as President of Warner Bros Television,...
- 9/16/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris McCumber is the latest longtime executive at NBCUniversal to depart amid the wide-scale restructuring at NBCUniversal.
On Tuesday, Frances Berwick laid out the leadership team for her Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. In the new structure, Jeff Bader will be in charge of program planning for all six of NBCU’s cable entertainment networks, in addition to his current role with the NBC broadcast network.
Last month, Berwick was named the head of NBCU’s new Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. The move was part of a massive restructuring under NBCU CEO Jeff Shell. The new structure involves three new business units: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business.
“After nearly 20 years at this tremendous company, this has not been an easy decision.
On Tuesday, Frances Berwick laid out the leadership team for her Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. In the new structure, Jeff Bader will be in charge of program planning for all six of NBCU’s cable entertainment networks, in addition to his current role with the NBC broadcast network.
Last month, Berwick was named the head of NBCU’s new Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. The move was part of a massive restructuring under NBCU CEO Jeff Shell. The new structure involves three new business units: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business.
“After nearly 20 years at this tremendous company, this has not been an easy decision.
- 9/16/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Paul Telegdy has parted ways with NBC Entertainment, following allegations of racist, sexist and homophobic behavior, as parent company NBCUniversal engineers a sprawling corporate overhaul meant to streamline its network and direct-to-consumer businesses.
Most recently head of NBCUniversal’s lifestyle networks, Frances Berwick will now lead its television entertainment business, overseeing daily operations across all networks and dayparts, commissioning and acquiring programming that will work across platforms, and implement “creative windowing and scheduling strategies” across both broadcast network NBC and NBCU’s cable networks.
The entertainment programming division, consisting of scripted, unscripted, late-night and alternative programming, will oversee all original entertainment programming for NBC, the cable networks and direct-to-consumer service Peacock.
With Telegdy’s exit, no leader has been named for the entertainment-programming unit, although multiple sources had recently told Variety that Netflix’s VP of local language originals and former NBCU exec Bela Bajaria had been approached for the job,...
Most recently head of NBCUniversal’s lifestyle networks, Frances Berwick will now lead its television entertainment business, overseeing daily operations across all networks and dayparts, commissioning and acquiring programming that will work across platforms, and implement “creative windowing and scheduling strategies” across both broadcast network NBC and NBCU’s cable networks.
The entertainment programming division, consisting of scripted, unscripted, late-night and alternative programming, will oversee all original entertainment programming for NBC, the cable networks and direct-to-consumer service Peacock.
With Telegdy’s exit, no leader has been named for the entertainment-programming unit, although multiple sources had recently told Variety that Netflix’s VP of local language originals and former NBCU exec Bela Bajaria had been approached for the job,...
- 8/6/2020
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Paul Telegdy is out as NBC Entertainment chairman amid an investigation into multiple accusations of workplace misbehavior. His exit comes as part of a larger reorganization under Mark Lazarus, NBCUniversal’s chairman of television and streaming.
The new structure involves three new business units: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business.
Peacock chief Matt Strauss will be in charge of the Direct-to-Consumer unit, while continuing to lead Peacock, which will maintain its own separate team within the division. International Networks, run by Ken Bettsteller, and Fandango, run by Paul Yanover, will report to Strauss. Francis Berwick will head up the Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. Berwick most recently ran NBCU’s lifestyle networks. The Entertainment Programming unit have oversight of all original programming on the broadcast and cable networks; NBCU is currently searching for...
The new structure involves three new business units: Direct to Consumer, Entertainment Programming and Entertainment Business.
Peacock chief Matt Strauss will be in charge of the Direct-to-Consumer unit, while continuing to lead Peacock, which will maintain its own separate team within the division. International Networks, run by Ken Bettsteller, and Fandango, run by Paul Yanover, will report to Strauss. Francis Berwick will head up the Entertainment Business unit, which will be in charge of programming strategy and content spend across all of NBCU’s networks. Berwick most recently ran NBCU’s lifestyle networks. The Entertainment Programming unit have oversight of all original programming on the broadcast and cable networks; NBCU is currently searching for...
- 8/6/2020
- by Tony Maglio and Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Paul Telegdy is exiting his post as NBC Entertainment chairman as NBCUniversal today unveiled the new centralized structure under Mark Lazarus, Chairman of NBCUniversal Television and Streaming. It includes a larger role for Lifestyle Networks president Frances Berwick.
As expected, the reorganization is consolidating all NBCU English-language linear networks into one group, overseen by Berwick on the business side and an executive to be named later on the programming side.
Word is that NBCU is looking at candidates internally and externally for the job. One possible scenario that has been buzzed about involves Bill McGoldrick, currently President, Original Content, NBCUniversal Entertainment Networks and Direct-to-Consumer, potentially adding NBC programming oversight.
Telegdy’s departure comes a week after he became the subject of an internal investigation into allegations of professional misconduct. In June, he also was named in a discrimination action by Gabrielle Union over her firing from America’s Got Talent.
Joining...
As expected, the reorganization is consolidating all NBCU English-language linear networks into one group, overseen by Berwick on the business side and an executive to be named later on the programming side.
Word is that NBCU is looking at candidates internally and externally for the job. One possible scenario that has been buzzed about involves Bill McGoldrick, currently President, Original Content, NBCUniversal Entertainment Networks and Direct-to-Consumer, potentially adding NBC programming oversight.
Telegdy’s departure comes a week after he became the subject of an internal investigation into allegations of professional misconduct. In June, he also was named in a discrimination action by Gabrielle Union over her firing from America’s Got Talent.
Joining...
- 8/6/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.