Sports Media Digest- December 18, 2012

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ 13 Game NFL Schedule Leads to Record Ratings for NFL Network- The NFL Network today announced that the first year of its 13 game Thursday Night Football schedule proved fruitful as the network saw a 8% increase in ratings over 2011 for the 2012 season. Thursday Night Football averaged a 4.6 rating and 7.3 million viewers for the season. 49′ers/Pats on Sunday Night Football Attracts 23.2 MillionViewers- NBC Sports has announced that this week’s Sunday Night Football (SNF) telecast between the 49ers and Patriots had an average audience of 23.2 million viewers, a 40% increase over the network’s week 15 match-up last year. The game was the second most-watched SNF contest of the year, trailing only the season opener between the Steelers and Broncos. So far this season SNF is averaging 21 million viewers, tied with 2011 and a rating of 12.6, just below last year’s 12.7 number. NFL Network Replay for this Week- Here is the slate of three games that will be replayed this week on the NFL Network (NFLN): Tonight at 8:00p.m. ET NFLN will re-air the Packers at Bears. At 9:30p.m. ET Sunday night’s 49ers/Patriots match-up will get another airing. Tomorrow at 9:00p.m. ET NFLN will replay the Steelers at Cowboys. NBA TV Celebrates a Successful 2012- NBA TV announced today that 2012 was a very good year, with its primetime viewership up 55% over 2011. The network is also seeing viewership increases for individual projects, including its Tuesday Fan Night game presentations, which are up 6% over last year. Thursday NBA Doubleheader on TNT- TNT is prepping for this week’s Thursday night NBA double header. At 7:00p.m. ET Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber and Marty Snider will call the action as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. At 9:30p.m. ET the Miami Heat take on the Dallas Mavericks with Marv Albert, Steve Kerr, Mike Fratello, and Craig Sager on the mic. ESPN/NFLPA Reach Deal on Collegiate Bowl- ESPN has reached a deal with the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) to telecast the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, which is dedicated to top draft-eligible seniors. The 2013 NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will air on ESPN2 January 19th at 6:00p.m. ET. ESPNU will carry practice sessions on January 17th beginning at 1:30p.m. ET. Fox Sports to Telecast FA Cup- Fox Sports will be providing U.S. coverage of England’s FA Cup soccer competition beginning next month. On January 5th at 12:00p.m. ET the network will televise third round action as West Ham United takes on Manchester United. The FA Cup Final will air live on Fox, Saturday, May 11, at 12:00p.m. ET from London’s legendary Wembley Stadium. Sirius XM Radio To Create Special Channel for 2012 Sports Year in Review- Sirius XM Radio is planning to launch a special pop-up channel which will look back at the year in sports for 2012. “The Year in SiriusXM Sports” channel will be available to subscribers on channel 142 on satellite radios and on channel 962 on SiriusXM.com and on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App. Along with various Sirius XM hosts, the channel will look back at the highlights of the 2012 sports year. The channel will launch December 26th and run until January 3rd. HBO Will Air Boxing’s Best Beginning Christmas Day- As it wraps-up 2012 HBO Sports will be replaying some of its biggest boxing matches of the year. The network’s Boxing’s Best series begins Christmas night. Here is the schedule: Tuesday, Dec. 25 at 11:00 p.m. — Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 11:00 p.m. — Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Sergio Martinez Thursday, Dec. 27 at 11:00 p.m. — Robert Guerrero vs. Andre Berto Friday, Dec. 28 at 11:00 p.m. — Antonio DeMarco vs. Adrien Broner Friday, Dec. 28 at 11:45 p.m. — Andre Ward vs. Chad Dawson Saturday, Dec. 29 at 11:00 p.m. — Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado Saturday, Dec. 29 at 11:40 p.m. — Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez 4