Live from WKEN sports broadcasting blog, Jan. 16
Ken McMillanWelcome to the new home of the “Live from WKEN” sports broadcasting blog.
It’s often said the NFL divisional playoff weekend is the best viewing of the season, and who can argue?
There will be Saturday and Sunday doubleheaders, featuring late-afternoon and evening contests in order to maximize the audience.
Fox NFL has a Saturday pregame show at 3:30 p.m. Among the features are Packers WR Davante Adams explaining the art of route running (3:44 p.m.); Bills’ WR Cole Beasley interview (3:52); feature on newest coaches in league (3:57); interview with Rams RB Cam Akers (4:05); interviews with coachs Matt LaFleur of Packers and Sean McVay of Rams (4:18).
Saturday schedule:
Rams (SXM 226) at Packers (SXM 225), 4:30 p.m., WNYW-5 (Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston), Fox Sports.com/live, Fox Sports app, SXM Ch. 88, Fox Deportes/Spanish
Ravens (SXM 226) at Bills (SXM 225), 8:15 p.m., WNBC-4 (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth), NBCsports.com, NBC Sports app, SXM Ch. 88, Universo/Spanish
Sunday schedule:
Browns (SXM 226) at Chiefs (SXM 225), 3 p.m., WCBS-2 (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo), CBSsports.com, SXM Ch. 88, ESPN Deportes/Spanish
Buccaneers (SXM 226) at Saints (SXM 225), 6:30 p.m., WNYW-5 (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman), FoxSports.com/live, Fox Sports app, SXM Ch. 88, Fox Deportes/Spanish
Sunday, Jan. 24:
NFC title game, 3 p.m., WNYW-5 (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman), Fox Sports.com/live, Fox Sports app, SXM Ch. 88, Fox Deportes/Spanish
AFC title game, 6:30 p.m., WCBS-2 (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo), CBSsports.com, SXM Ch. 88, ESPN Deportes/Spanish
Sunday, February 7
Super Bowl, 6 p.m., WCBS-2 (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo), CBSsports.com, SXM Ch. 88
Couch potatoes
ESPN is presenting six consecutive men’s college basketball games on Saturday, all but one featuring big-name schools or ranked teams.
Noon – North Carolina at Florida State
2 p.m. – Kentucky at Auburn
4 p.m. – Baylor at Texas Tech
6 p.m. – Virginia at Clemson
8 p.m. – Brigham Young at San Francisco
10 p.m. – Gonzaga at Saint Mary’s
Holiday pucks
NBC Sports Network will present a first-ever quadrupleheader on Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. The studio hosts will be Kathryn Tappen, Anson Carter and Patrick Sharp.
Noon – Jackets at Wings (Kenny Albert, Pierre McGuire)
5 p.m. – Bruins at Islanders (John Forslund, Brian Boucher)
7:30 p.m. – Sabres at Flyers (Albert, McGuire)
10 p.m. – Coyotes at Knights, 10 p.m. (Forslund, Joe Micheletti)
Upcoming ESPN+ schedule:
Monday – Canucks at Flames, 9 p.m.; Canadiens at Oilers, 9 p.m.
Tuesday – Jackets at Red Wings, 7:30 p.m.; Hurricanes at Predators, 8 p.m.
Wednesday – Canadiens at Canucks, 10 p.m.; Coyotes at Knights, 10 p.m.
Thursday – Avalanche at Kings, 10 p.m.
Friday – Oilers at Leafs, 7 p.m.; Predators at Stars, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 23 – Lightning at Jackets, 7 p.m.; Kings at Blues, 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 24 – Rangers at Penguins, 7 p.m.; Oilers at Jets, 9 p.m.
Early NHL picks
NHL Network analysts Mike Rupp and Kevin Weekes offered their champion picks for two of the four divisions.
Rupp: Central – Lightning; West – Avalanche
Weeks: Central – Hurricanes; West – Knights
NBC’s NHL top voice undetermined
With the retirement of Hall of Famer Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick, NBC Sports has not chosen a top voice for its NHL coverage, which starts Wednesday. For now, NBC will rotate its large stable of announcers through its nearly 100 games this season, with one play-by-play voice chosen for the Stanley Cup finals.
The play-by-play cast has Rangers’ radio voice Kenny Albert, Islanders’ TV voice Brendan Burke, former Hurricanes’ voice John Forslund, Mike Tirico, Canadian Gord Miller, Capitals’ voice John Walton and Sharks’ voice Randy Hahn – I believe all but Walton have been regulars in the cast.
The rink analysts are familiar voices from last season and beyond: Blackhawks’ voice Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Pierre McGuire, AJ Mleczko (who broke in with MSG Islanders telecasts), Kendall Coyne Schofield, Flyers’ analyst Keith Jones and Rangers’ studio vet Anson Carter.
In the NBC studios, Kathryn Tappen and Liam McHugh return as hosts, as do analysts Jones, Carter and Patrick Sharp. Newcomer analysts include former Red Wings and Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock and former Rangers Ryan Callahan and Dominic Moore. The NHL Insiders remain Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger.
NHL Network live action
Even with the vast NBC Sports schedules, the NHL Network will show live games a couple days per week, as well as shortened repeat telecasts on following afternoons. For fans of Canadian hockey (and those Canadian telecasts), NHL Network often shows the 7 p.m. Saturday Hockey Night in Canada telecast.
Upcoming NHL Network live schedule for New York market:
Saturday – Sharks at Coyotes, 4 p.m.; Canadiens at Oilers, 7 p.m.; Canucks at Flames, 10 p.m.
Sunday – Blackhawks at Panthers, 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Avalanche at Kings, 10 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 23 – Panthers at Hurricanes, 1 p.m.; Flyers at Bruins, 7 p.m.; Senators at Jets, 10 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 24 – Maple Leafs at Flames, 4 p.m.; Sabres at Capitals, 7 p.m.
Footy in the USA
NBC Sports is presenting English Premier League soccer action every day through Thursday.
Saturday schedule:
Chelsea at Fulham, 12:30 p.m., WNBC-4, Universo/Spanish
Southampton at Leicester, 3 p.m., Peacock premium
Sunday schedule:
Everton at Aston Villa, 7 a.m., Peacock premium
Spurs at Sheffield United, 9:05 a.m., NBCSN, Telemundo/Spanish
Manchester United at Liverpool, 11:30 a.m., Peacock premium
Crystal Palace at Manchester City, 2:15 p.m., Peacock premium
Monday schedule:
Newcastle at Arsenal, 3 p.m., NBCSN
Tuesday schedule:
West Brom at West Ham, 1 p.m., Peacock premium
Chelsea at Leicester, 3:15 p.m., NBCSN
Wednesday schedule:
Southampton at Leeds, 1 p.m., NBCSN, Universo/Spanish
Manchester United at Fulham, 3:15 p.m., NBCSN, Universo/Spanish
Aston Villa at Manchester City, 3:15 p.m., Peacock premium
Thursday schedule:
Burnley at Liverpool, 3 p.m., NBCSN, Universo/Spanish
NHL is back
The NHL started its 56-game schedules on Wednesday.
Wednesday Night Hockey returns to NBC Sports Network with exclusive games (meaning no local telecasts), featuring 19 different teams.
The Wednesday Night Hockey schedule on NBCSN (subject to change):
Jan. 20 – Oilers at Maple Leafs, 7 p.m.; Wild at Ducks, 9:30 p.m.; Jan. 27 – Blackhawks at Predators, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 3 – Red Wings at Lightning, 5:30 p.m.; Bruins at Flyers, 8 p.m.; Knights at Sharks, 10:30 p.m.; Feb. 10 – Bruins at Rangers, 7 p.m.; Feb. 17 – Blackhawks at Red Wings, 7:30 p.m.; Jets at Oilers, 10 p.m.; Feb. 24 – Rangers at Flyers, 7 p.m.; Kings at Blues, 9:30 p.m.; March 3 – Capitals at Bruins, 7 p.m.; Blues at Ducks, 9:30 p.m.; March 10 – Knights at Wild, 7 p.m.; Kings at Ducks, 9:30 p.m.; March 17 – Flyers at Rangers, 7:30 p.m.; Oilers at Flames, 10 p.m.; March 24 – Ducks at Wild, 5:30 p.m.; Sabres at Penguins, 8 p.m.; Kings at Sharks, 10:30 p.m.; March 31 – Coyotes at Blues, 7:30 p.m.; Kings at Knights, 10 p.m.; April 7 – Oilers at Senators, 5 p.m.; Canadiens at Maple Leafs, 7:30 p.m.; April 14 – Knights at Kings, 8 p.m.; April 21 – Predators at Blackhawks, 7 p.m.; Sharks at Knights, 9:30 p.m.; April 28 – Blues at Wild, 7 p.m.; Avalanche at Knights, 9:30 p.m.; May 5 – Capitals at Rangers, 7 p.m.
NBC Sports (WNBC-4 in New York) has ramped up its Sunday (and occasional Saturday) exclusive game of the week with 16 telecasts, the most in NBC history.
The Sunday NHL schedule on NBC schedule (subject to change):
Sunday – Capitals at Penguins, noon; Jan. 24 – Red Wings at Blackhawks, 12:30 p.m.; Feb. 7 – Flyers at Capitals, noon; Feb. 14 – Capitals at Penguins, 3 p.m.; (Sat.) Feb. 20 – Knights at Avalanche, 3 p.m.; Feb. 21 – Flyers at Bruins, 3 p.m.; Feb. 28 – Bruins at Rangers, noon; March 7 – Sabres at Islanders, noon; March 28 – Rangers at Capitals, noon; April 4 – Red Wings at Lightning, noon; (Sat.) April 17 – Penguins at Sabres, 3 p.m.; April 18 – Capitals at Bruins, noon; (Sat.) April 24 – Avalanche at Blues, 3 p.m.; April 25 – Bruins at Penguins, 3 p.m.; May 2 – Lightning at Red Wings, 3 p.m.; (Sat.) May 8 – a game to be flexed in, 3 p.m.
Sunday Night Hockey on NBC Sports Network will feature 15 different teams over 10 telecasts, six of which will feature a Western Conference team.
The Sunday Night Hockey schedule on NBCSN:
Feb. 14 – Avalanche at Knights, 7 p.m.; Feb. 21 – Panthers at Red Wings, 7 p.m.; Feb. 28 -Red Wings at Blackhawks, 7 p.m.; March 7 – Lightning at Blackhawks, 2:30 p.m.; Devils at Capitals, 5 p.m.; Rangers at Penguins, 7:30 p.m.; March 14 – Kings at Avalanche, 7 p.m.; March 21 – Knights at Kings, 6 p.m.; March 28 – Blue Jackets at Red Wings, 3 p.m.; Devils at Bruins, 5:30 p.m.; Predators at Blackhawks, 8 p.m.; April 4 – Stars at Panthers, 7 p.m.; April 18 – Islanders at Flyers, 6:30 p.m.; Kings at Avalanche, 9 p.m.; April 25 – Blue Jackets at Lighting, 7 p.m.
NBC Sports Network will also show hockey on remaining nights of the week, though the games will be blacked out in local markets (like Rangers, Islanders and Devils games on MSG networks).
Monday nights on NBCSN schedule:
Jan. 18 – Blue Jackets at Red Wings, noon; Bruins at Islanders, 5 p.m.; Sabres at Flyers, 7:30 p.m.; Coyotes at Knights, 10 p.m.; Feb. 8 – Sabres at Bruins, 7 p.m.; Feb. 15 – Islanders at Sabres, 7 p.m.; March 15 – Flyers at Rangers, 7 p.m.; March 22 – Ducks at Wild, 7:30 p.m.; March 29 – Islanders at Steelers, 7 p.m.; April 19 – Red Wings at Stars, 7:30 p.m.; April 26 – Panthers at Stars, 7:30 p.m.; May 3 - TBD
Tuesday nights on NBCSN schedule:
Jan. 19 – Capitals at Penguins, 7 p.m.; Jan. 26 – Islanders at Capitals, 7 p.m.; Feb. 2 – Sabres at Islanders, 6 p.m.; Wild at Avalanche, 8:30 p.m.; Feb. 9 – Penguins at Devils, 6 p.m.; Lightning at Predators, 8:30 p.m.; Feb. 16 – Capitals at Penguins, 7 p.m.; Feb. 23 – Penguins at Capitals, 7 p.m.; March 2 – Flyers at Penguins, 7 p.m.; March 9 – Rangers at Penguins, 6 p.m.; Blackhawks at Stars, 8:30 p.m.; March 16 – Bruins at Penguins, 7 p.m.; March 23 – Devils at Flyers, 7 p.m.; March 30 – Panthers at Blackhawks, 7:30 p.m.; April 6 – Penguins at Rangers, 7 p.m.; April 13 – Flyers at Penguins, 7 p.m.; April 20 – Capitals at Bruins, 7 p.m.; Blues at Avalanche, 9:30 p.m.; April 27 – Capitals at Flyers, 7 p.m.; May 4 - TBD
Thursday nights on NBCSN schedule:
Jan. 21 – Lightning at Blue Jackets, 7 p.m.; Canadiens at Canucks, 9:30 p.m.
Saturday nights on NBCSN schedule:
May 8 – TBD
Golfing pineapples
The PGA Tour presents the Sony Open in Hawaii this week. Golf Channel has coverage from 7-10:30 p.m. for the first three rounds and 6-10 p.m. for the final round on Sunday. SiriusXM Ch. 92 has coverage from 5 p.m. to conclusion daily.
The PGA West Stadium course at La Quinta Resort & Club will host Jan. 21-24. SiriusXM Ch. 92 has coverage at 1 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Brooklyn in the House
The Brooklyn Nets have returned to WFAN (660-AM, 101.9-FM), with select games on WCBS (880-AM). Chris Carrino, who has been calling the action since 2001-02 season, returns, as does former Wagner coach Tim Capstraw, who joined the team in 2002-03. WFAN has carried the Nets since the 2004-05 season.
The upcoming schedule (all on WFAN unless indicated):
Saturday – vs. Magic, 6 p.m. (WCBS); Monday – vs. Bucks, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday – at Cavaliers, 7 p.m.; Friday – at Cavaliers, 7:30 p.m.; Sat. Jan. 23 – vs. Heat, 7:30 p.m.; Mon. Jan. 25 – vs. Heat, 7:30 p.m.; Wed. Jan. 27 – at Hawks, 7:30 p.m.; Fri. Jan. 23 – at Thunder, 8 p.m.; Sun. Jan. 31 – at Wizards, 7 p.m.; Tues. Feb. 2 – vs. Clippers, 7:30 p.m. (TNT, no YES); Fri. Feb. 5 – vs. Raptors, 7:30 p.m. (YES and ESPN); Sat. Feb. 6 – at Sixers, 7 p.m.; Tues. Feb. 9 – at Pistons, 7 p.m.; Wed. Feb. 10 – vs. Pacers, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday Night Baseball
We are weeks away from pitchers and catchers – God willing – in spring training. There’s no better way to usher in the season than the announcement of the ESPN Sunday Night Baseball schedule. The Mets and Yankees meet on July 4 and Sept. 12. Remaining dates will be announced at least two weeks ahead of the telecast.
The early schedule release (all 7 p.m. unless indicated):
April 4 – White Sox at Angels, 8:30 p.m.; April 11 – Phillies at Braves; April 18 – Braves at Cubs; April 25 – Padres at Dodgers; May 2 – Mets at Phillies; May 9 – Phillies at Braves; May 16 – Cardinals at Padres; May 23 – Cubs at Cardinals; May 30 – Braves at Mets; July 4 – Mets at Yankees; Thursday July 15 (second half opener) – Red Sox at Yankees; July 18 – Red Sox at Yankees; Sept. 12 – Yankees at Mets, 8 p.m.
The Padres will make their first Sunday Night Baseball telecast since 2007.
Trivia note: ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball made its debut on April 15, 1990, when the Mets visited the Montreal Expos. The Mets lost 3-1.
Get the season started
ESPN will televise 11 Major League Baseball games over the first six days of the season.
ESPN will exclusively show the Mets-Nationals at 7 p.m. on April 1, the season-opening day. ESPN will show 11 games over the first six days.
April 1 – Blue Jays at Yankees, 1 p.m.; Dodgers at Rockies, 4 p.m.; Mets at Nationals, 7 p.m. (exclusive telecast); Astros at Athletics, 10 p.m.; April 4 – Braves at Phillies, 1 p.m.; White Sox at Angels, 8:30 p.m.; April 5 – Twins at Tigers, 1 p.m.; Royals at Indians, 4 p.m.; Rays at Red Sox, 7 p.m.; White Sox at Mariners, 10 p.m.; April 6 – Mets at Phillies, 7 p.m.
Irish hockey
Notre Dame men’s ice hockey will receive plenty of broadcast coverage over the second semester.
NBC Sports Network (NBCsports.com) – Friday vs. Michigan, 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 12 vs. Minnesota, 7:30 p.m.; March 5 vs. Penn State, 7:30 p.m.
SNY (and NBCsports.com) – Thursday vs. Michigan, 6:30 p.m.; Feb. 13 vs. Minnesota, 5:30 p.m.; March 6 vs. Penn State, 5:30 p.m.
Army basketball returns
The Army men’s and women’s basketball teams have returned to play. No fans are being allowed at most venues, so there’s two ways to follow the cadets this season: via a subscription to ESPN+ and radio.
WBNR (1260-AM, 96.5-FM) and WLNA (1420-AM) will once again provide the radio broadcasts. For the most part, Rich DeMarco handles the men’s games (with occasional guest analysts) and Justin Rocke is back for the women’s games. The Army games will air on both stations, or they will be split when the men and women are playing at the same time. The games will also be heard on the TuneIn app.
Ken McMillan is the sports editor of the Times Herald-Record and former broadcaster and producer.
kmcmillan@th-record.com
Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR