NBCsports is KILLING IT

[Rhode Irish]

...this week with their Super Bowl coverage. I hope everyone here is watching. Mostly because its great TV (it is the Wall Street Journal to ESPN's Daily News). High brow sports TV. But secondly, it is definitely in ND's interest that NBCsports make some inroads, especially right now and in the coming Olympics. It is really this network's best (and maybe only) chance to make an impact and carve out an audience. With so many channels, it seems like a big part of getting ratings and being successful is just getting viewers to memorize what number your channel is on.

 

[BobD]

Very good idea Rhode. It's definitely in Notre Dames best interest that we try to help NBC's ratings. I'm looking forward to the Olympics and I'm curious to see how their baseball coverage will be.

 

[D-BOE34]

Did Tom leave?

I agree bud. I love when other stations can 1 up espn.

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

I am a huge detractor of E!sPN, but I still find myself automatically flinging on ESPN/ESPN 2 and leaving it in the background of the room. I rarely even think to check NBC Sports. And I am a hockey fun who is used to the channel number from the Versus days.

My dad, on the other hand, hasn't watched ESPN for anything other than live events in maybe a decade and is a fan of NBC Sports.

I guess it's a process, but the fact that as big a sports fan as me largely ignores NBC Sports isn't a great sign. That said, I think we will know more by the end of 2012 as the network will have done half an NHL season + playoffs, and a full season of NFL and CFB.

 

[Rhode Irish]

The show The Turning Point (no relation) is one of the best NFL shows I've ever seen. Its done in the classic NFL Films style, but is much more football-oriented (whereas I view those classic NFL Films pieces to be much more story-oriented).

Last night they had an awesome lineup of NFL guests (players, coaches, owners, announcers and the commissioner) on a Bob Costas-hosted show. And each night this week they have done their nightly sports show from Indianapolis which has had Mike Florio (from PFT) and Peter King doing a lot of the studio work, along with an array of current and former players.

The nightly show is analysis-based, whereas what you usually get on ESPN is highlights, scores and the occasional inch-deep analysis. Just an overall better product in my view.

I would highly recommend watching the NBCsports channel over the weekend in the run up to the game Sunday night. You'll recognize most of the faces (Dan Patrick, Collinsworth, Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Peter King, Florio, etc., etc.).

 

[irishog77]

I hope they incorporate Matt Lauer into the mix. He's dreamy.

 

[ACamp1900]

A major network that shows hockey more often?????

ALL. FOR.

A network that shows more ND games of all sports???

ALL. FOR.

A network that may actually stop some of this bs tabloid sports crap that ESPN has perfected???

ALL. FOR.

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

I would highly recommend watching the NBCsports channel over the weekend in the run up to the game Sunday night. You'll recognize most of the faces (Dan Patrick, Collinsworth, Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Peter King, Florio, etc., etc.).

King and Florio are tools. I know it's been NFL Playoffs and now the Super Bowl since NBC Sports officially changed the name and went on the air, but I really hope it doesn't become another all-NFL-all-the-time network like ESPN has become. I love the NFL as much as the next guy, but I don't give a flying **** what Peyton Manning had for breakfast or how many sheets of toilet paper Tim Tebow uses.

 

[enrico514]

The problem (aside from Bozo) with NBC broadcasts of ND football is that they seem to put zero effort in production compared to ABC/ESPN. Even the video posted by the lacrosse players (I think) a couple of months ago made ND stadium feel like a vibrant and lively place... it puts NBC coverage of ND football to shame.

 

[Rhode Irish]

King and Florio are tools. I know it's been NFL Playoffs and now the Super Bowl since NBC Sports officially changed the name and went on the air, but I really hope it doesn't become another all-NFL-all-the-time network like ESPN has become. I love the NFL as much as the next guy, but I don't give a flying **** what Peyton Manning had for breakfast or how many sheets of toilet paper Tim Tebow uses.

I don't particularly care for Florio or King, either. But they have excellent sources and I prefer them to, say, Chris "You're With Me Leather" Berman or Adam Schefter (tools vs. smug tools I guess). But the level of discussion on NBCsports is elevated compared to ESPN, IMO