NFL Moving Toward Four Telecast Sundays

As we suspected, the NFL is on the way to giving us more Sundays with four live games available to viewers around the country, based largely on the success of this season's Detroit vs. Atlanta game from London which began at 9:30 AM ET. While the league again has three regular season games scheduled for London in 2015, the word is that at least TWO of those games will be shown live in that early time slot. These telecasts will precede the regular doubleheader of games (Fox and CBS) and then the scheduled Sunday Night Football game on NBC.

Although the complete NFL schedule won't be announced for several weeks, the league plans to have the Oct. 4, 2015 game from London between the Jets and Dolphins televised at 9:30 AM ET, along with the Buffalo vs. Jacksonville matchup on October 25th. The November 1st game in London between Detroit and Kansas City has not yet been given a start time. Even though it was far too early for this, it would appear that one of those games would be moved from CBS to Fox to allow each network to have one early national telecast start.

It is also interesting that it is the two least attractive matchups (based on this season) which will be in the early national slot. Let's face it. Based on the current season, a Buffalo vs. Jacksonville matchup (especially) would not exactly set a ratings record for a national audience. But as a morning game, the NFL knows that most fans will go with a live game over the endless selection of pre-game shows on several of the networks.

The other London game, Detroit vs. K.C., could be an appealing matchup of contending teams. My personal hunch is that this telecast could very well go to CBS only (for a 9:30 AM start) if it again wins the bidding for the Thursday night package. If not, I would then expect this game to be started at 4:25 ET as a "regular" doubleheader game for whichever network, or perhaps three hours later and given to NBC as a Sunday Night Game.

And if the ratings for those two already scheduled early telecasts continue to be solid, look for the NFL to add more "lesser" matchups from international venues and look to grow to four live games on most Sundays.


The Baltimore Orioles are going to a new radio home for the upcoming 2015 season after all. The team has just announced a brand new multi-year deal to move the broadcasts back over to WJZ-FM 105.7 The Fan, which had the games from 2007 to 2010. The team adds that the broadcast team of Joe Angel and Fred Manfra will continue in tact, with 2015 being their 12th season together in the booth.


Congratulations to Mike "Doc" Emrick for being named Sportscaster of the Year for 2014 by The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association for the second consecutive year. The voice of the NHL on national TV has called the Stanley Cup Finals for the past 25 years, and continues as the lead play-by-play voice for NBC and NBCSN's hockey telecasts.

The Association will also induct Dick Schaap, Bill Raftery, Lesley Visser, and Hal McCoy into its Hall of Fame at its ceremony scheduled for June 8th. This honor comes far too late for Schaap, who passed away in 2002, but is certainly deserved for the other inductees. Raftery will serve as analyst for CBS on what will be his 33rd NCAA tournament this March.

In addition, the Sportscaster and Sportswriter of the Year, as voted by members in every state, will also be honored. It was nice to see that Bill Schoening received the honor in Texas. Schoening is now calling the San Antonio Spurs radio broadcasts for his 14th season, and continues the extra effort of calling the vast majority of the games without having an analyst by his side.

Since several of you have asked in previous years, this year the complete list is included below.


Meanwhile, speaking of award winners, let's all with Dick Enberg a Happy 80th Birthday, which he celebrated on Friday (1/9).


It is nowhere the big deal that the NFL makes out of switching game telecasts during the season, but it is great to see the NBA allow its TV partners to flex some telecasts, even when we have months to go before the post-season starts.

ESPN has already been able to switch games it will televise on seven separate dates between this coming Wednesday (1/14) and April 3rd. Of course, there is a New York influence in this decision, but not in the way you would think. The horrible start by the Knicks has resulted in the team being removed for three of its previously scheduled national appearances on ESPN (of the seven games being replaced). Let's also give ESPN credit for adding games which are based on the standings and not on specific markets. Two of the added games include the Toronto Raptors, which were not a draw in previous years, while another of the added games (Apr. 3) will have Oklahoma City at Memphis.

Here is the schedule of the changes, with start times ET:

Wed, Jan. 14 8 p.m. Washington Wizards at Chicago Bulls (instead of Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics )
Wed, Jan. 28 8 p.m. Brooklyn Nets at Atlanta Hawks (instead of Oklahoma City Thunder at New York Knicks)
Fri, Feb. 6 7 p.m. Los Angeles Clippers at Toronto Raptors (instead of New York Knicks at Brooklyn Nets)
Fri, Mar. 6 8 p.m. Phoenix Suns at Brooklyn Nets (instead of Miami Heat at Washington Wizards)
Wed, Mar. 18 8 p.m. Orlando Magic at Dallas Mavericks (instead of Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls)
Wed, Mar. 25 7 p.m. Chicago Bulls at Toronto Raptors (instead of Los Angeles Clippers at New York Knicks
Fri., Apr. 3 8 p.m. Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies (instead of Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls)


Many fans wonder why I question the "need" for all of the TV sports networks that are in operation, as if there is enough quality programming to go around, which there is not. Yet, having so many networks bidding for live telecasts is what keeps driving up the monthly cost of cable/satellite for consumers.

Take CBS Sports Network as an example, again. Did you see their college hoops tripleheader lineup last Wednesday (Jan. 7)? The first game was between to "known" schools. However, the second game, which ran in prime time in the east and central time zones, was SIU-Edwardsville at Belmont. National TV in prime time? That was the lead-in to Nevada at UNLV as the third game. Yikes.


MINNEAPOLIS: KTWN 96.3 has changed its music again for the new year, now trying a modern rock format. The station is co-owned by the Pohlad family which owns the Twins and continues to serve as the team's flagship station. We'll see what happens with a new music format for the station and a new manager for the Twins. There will be some indication since there will be two months of ratings before baseball broadcasts return.


SPOKANE: KGA 1510 has begun to carry a simulcast of Seattle's KIRO 710's local programming on weekdays from 7 AM to 4 PM, including the Brock & Salk Show in morning drive.


GAINESVILLE: WGGG ESPN 1320 has been experiencing some problems with its signal (including some brief stretches off the air), but management feels it is actually for good reason. The station is doing modifications of its transmitter tower in order to complete the addition of 106.5 FM to simulcast the station, hoping to have it on the air no later than March 1st.


HALL OF FAME SPORTSCASTERS:
Bill Raftery, Big East Network, ESPN, CBS, FOX Sports
*Dick Schaap, The Sports Reporters, ESPN
HALL OF FAME SPORTSWRITERS
Hal McCoy, Dayton Daily News, Fox Sports Ohio
Lesley Visser, Boston Globe, HBO, ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBSSports.com
NATIONAL SPORTSCASTER
Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, NBC
NATIONAL SPORTSWRITER
Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated

STATE BY STATE:
ALABAMA SPORTSCASTER
Eli Gold, Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network/Learfield, Tuscaloosa
ALABAMA SPORTSWRITER
Brandon Marcello, AL.com, Auburn
ARIZONA SPORTSCASTER
Dave Pasch, Cardinals Radio Network/98.7 FM, Phoenix
ARIZONA SPORTSWRITER
Kent Somers, Arizona Republic, Phoenix
ARKANSAS SPORTSCASTER
Steve Sullivan, KATV-TV, Little Rock
ARKANSAS SPORTSWRITER
Harry King, Stephens Media, Little Rock
CALIFORNIA SPORTSCASTER
Vin Scully, Dodgers TV Network/Sportsnet LA, Los Angeles
CALIFORNIA SPORTSWRITER
Ann Killion, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco
COLORADO SPORTSCASTER
Drew Goodman, 104.3 The Fan, ROOT Sports/Rockies, Denver
COLORADO SPORTSWRITER
Mark Kizsla, Denver Post, Denver
CONNECTICUT SPORTSCASTER
Joe D’Ambrosio, WTIC /UConn Radio Network, Hartford
CONNECTICUT SPORTSWRITER
Jeff Jacobs, Hartford Courant, Hartford
DELAWARE SPORTSCASTER
Matt Janus, WDSD/Blue Rocks Radio, Wilmington
DELAWARE SPORTSWRITER
Brad Myers, News Journal, Wilmington
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPORTSCASTER
Joe Beninati, Capitals/CSN Washington, Washington
Bob Carpenter, Nationals/MASN, Washington
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SPORTSWRITER
Thom Loverro, Washington Times, Washington
FLORIDA SPORTSCASTER
Gene Deckerhoff, FSU/IMG & Bucs Radio Networks, Tallahassee/Tampa
FLORIDA SPORTSWRITER
Gary Shelton, Tampa Bay Times, St. Petersburg
GEORGIA SPORTSCASTER
Steve Holman, Hawks Radio Network/92.9 The Game, Atlanta
GEORGIA SPORTSWRITER
Steve Hummer, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Atlanta
IDAHO SPORTSCASTER
Tom Morris, Idaho Vandals Sports Properties/Learfield, Moscow
IDAHO SPORTSWRITER
Brian Murphy, Idaho Statesman, Boise
ILLINOIS SPORTSCASTER
Pat Hughes, Cubs Radio Network/WGN, Chicago
ILLINOIS SPORTSWRITER
Marcus Jackson, News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana
Rick Telander, Sun-Times, Chicago
INDIANA SPORTSCASTER
Mark Boyle, Pacers Radio Network/107.5/1070 The Fan, Indianapolis
INDIANA SPORTSWRITER
Mike Chappell, Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis
IOWA SPORTSCASTER
Andy Garman, KCCI-TV, Des Moines
IOWA SPORTSWRITER
Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Cedar Rapids
KANSAS SPORTSCASTER
Mike Kennedy, Shocker Sports Properties/KEYN, Wichita
KANSAS SPORTSWRITER
Gary Bedore, Journal World, Lawrence
KENTUCKY SPORTSCASTER
Kent Spencer, WHAS-TV, Louisville
KENTUCKY SPORTSCASTER
Eric Crawford, WDRB.com, Louisville
LOUISIANA SPORTSCASTER
Ed Daniels, WGNO-TV, New Orleans
LOUISIANA SPORTSWRITER
Glenn Guilbeau, Gannett, Baton Rouge
MAINE SPORTSCASTER
Don Shields, Black Bear Sports Network/Learfield, Orono
MAINE SPORTSWRITER
Mark Emmert, Press-Herald, Portland
MARYLAND SPORTSCASTER
Johnny Holliday, Terrapin Sports Network,MASN, College Park
MARYLAND SPORTSWRITER
Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore Sun, Baltimore
MASSACHUSETTS SPORTSCASTER
Dave Goucher, WBZ-FM/Bruins Network, Boston
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV, Boston
MASSACHUSETTS SPORTSWRITER
Nick Cafardo, Boston Globe, Boston
Kevin Paul Dupont, Boston Globe, Boston
MICHIGAN SPORTSCASTER
Dan Dickerson, Tigers Radio Network, Detroit
MICHIGAN SPORTSWRITER
Jeff Seidel, Free Press, Detroit
MINNESOTA SPORTSCASTER
Dawn Mitchell, KMSP-TV, Minneapolis
MINNESOTA SPORTSWRITER
Joe Christensen, Star Tribune, Minneapolis
MISSISSIPPI SPORTSCASTER
Jim Ellis, Mississippi State Bulldog Sports Network/Learfield, Starkville
MISSISSIPPI SPORTSWRITER
Rick Cleveland, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Jackson
MISSOURI SPORTSCASTER
Mike Shannon, KMOX Radio/Cardinals, St. Louis
MISSOURI SPORTSWRITER
Andy McCullough, Kansas City Star, Kansas City
MONTANA SPORTSCASTER
Ron Bruschi, KOJM Radio, Havre
MONTANA SPORTSWRITER
Greg Rachac, Billings Gazette, Billings
NEBRASKA SPORTSCASTER
Andy Kendeigh, KETV, Omaha
NEBRASKA SPORTSWRITER
Sam McKewon, World-Herald, Omaha
NEVADA SPORTSCASTER
Chris Maathuis, KLAS-TV, Las Vegas
NEVADA SPORTSWRITER
Ed Graney, Review-Journal, Las Vegas
NEW HAMPSHIRE SPORTSCASTER
Bob Lipman, UNH Sports Network/Learfield, Manchester
NEW HAMPSHIRE SPORTSWRITER
Tim O’Sullivan, Concord Monitor, Concord
NEW JERSEY SPORTSCASTER
Matt Loughlin, Devils Radio Network/WFAN, Newark
NEW JERSEY SPORTSWRITER
Greg Tufaro, Gannett New Jersey, East Brunswick
NEW MEXICO SPORTSCASTER
Bob Brown, 101.7 The Team, Albuquerque
NEW MEXICO SPORTSWRITER
Mark Smith, Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque
NEW YORK SPORTSCASTER
Bruce Beck, WNBC-TV, New York
Ian Eagle, YES Network, New York
NEW YORK SPORTSWRITER
Frank Isola, New York Daily News, New York
NORTH CAROLINA SPORTSCASTER
Stan Cotten, Wake Forest/IMG Sports Network, Winston-Salem
Jeff Gravley, WRAL-TV, Raleigh
NORTH CAROLINA SPORTSWRITER
Ed Hardin, News & Record, Greensboro
NORTH DAKOTA SPORTSCASTER
Rod Kleinjan, KDIX Radio, Dickinson
NORTH DAKOTA SPORTSWRITER
Chris Aarhus, Jamestown Sun, Jamestown
OHIO SPORTSCASTER
Dan Hoard, Bengals Radio Network, Bearcats/IMG Sports Network, Cincinnati
OHIO SPORTSWRITER
Hal McCoy, Dayton Daily News, Dayton
OKLAHOMA SPORTSCASTER
Bruce Howard, Golden Hurricane Sports Network/Learfield, Tulsa
OKLAHOMA SPORTSWRITER
Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City
OREGON SPORTSCASTER
Joe Becker, KGW-TV, Portland
OREGON SPORTSWRITER
John Canzano, The Oregonian, Portland
PENNSYLVANIA SPORTSCASTER
Tom McGinnis, Sixers Radio Network/97.5 The Fanatic, Philadelphia
PENNSYLVANIA SPORTSWRITER
Bob Ford, Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia
RHODE ISLAND SPORTSCASTER
Ken Bell, WLNE-TV, Providence
RHODE ISLAND SPORTSWRITER
Brendan McGair, Pawtucket Times, Pawtucket
SOUTH CAROLINA SPORTSCASTER
Kevin McCrarey, South Carolina Radio Network, Columbia
SOUTH CAROLINA SPORTSWRITER
Lou Bezjak, Florence Morning News, Florence
SOUTH DAKOTA SPORTSCASTER
Jeff Duffy, KOKK Radio, Huron
SOUTH DAKOTA SPORTSWRITER
John Papendick, American News, Aberdeen
TENNESSEE SPORTSCASTER
Pete Weber, Nashville Predators TV/Fox Sports Tennessee, Nashville
TENNESSEE SPORTSWRITER
David Climer, The Tennessean, Nashville
Geoff Calkins, Commercial Appeal, Memphis
TEXAS SPORTSCASTER
Bill Schoening, Spurs Radio Network/WOAI, San Antonio
TEXAS SPORTSWRITER
Kirk Bohls, American Statesman, Austin
UTAH SPORTSCASTER
Steve Klauke, Salt Lake Bees/1280 KZNS, Salt Lake City
UTAH SPORTSWRITER
Kurt Kragthorpe, Salt Lake Tribune, Salt Lake City
VERMONT SPORTSCASTER
Rich Haskell, WCPV-FM 101.3, Colchester
VERMONT SPORTSWRITER
Alex Abrami, Burlington Free Press, Burlington
Anna Grearson, Times Argus, Barre
VIRGINIA SPORTSCASTER
Wes McElroy, WRNL-AM, Richmond
VIRGINIA SPORTSWRITER
David Teel, Daily Press, Newport News
WASHINGTON SPORTSCASTER
Larry Weir, EWU Eagle Radio Network/700 ESPN, Cheney
WASHINGTON SPORTSCASTER
Dave Boling, Tacoma News Tribune, Tacoma
WEST VIRGINIA SPORTSCASTER
Steve Cotton, Thundering Herd IMG Sports Network, Huntington
WEST VIRGINIA SPORTSWRITER
Chuck McGill, Daily Mail, Charleston
WISCONSIN SPORTSCASTER
Brian Anderson, Brewers/Fox Sports Wisconsin, Milwaukee
WISCONSIN SPORTSWRITER
*Tom Mulhern, Wisconsin State Journal, Madison
WYOMING SPORTSCASTER
Trevor Jackson, Sheridan Media, Sheridan
Reece Monaco, KFBC Radio, Cheyenne
WYOMING SPORTSWRITER
Mike Vorel, Casper Star Tribune, Casper