{"id":36759,"date":"2012-02-02T14:43:11","date_gmt":"2012-02-02T19:43:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.sportsvideo.org\/main\/?p=36759"},"modified":"2012-02-02T14:43:11","modified_gmt":"2012-02-02T19:43:11","slug":"nbcuniversal-forces-unite-for-super-bowl-week-in-indy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.sportsvideo.org\/2012\/02\/02\/nbcuniversal-forces-unite-for-super-bowl-week-in-indy\/","title":{"rendered":"NBCUniversal Forces Unite for Super Bowl Week in Indy"},"content":{"rendered":"

NBCUniversal is taking the synergy concept to new heights leading up to Super Bowl XLVI, delivering a wide range of shoulder programming across its vast array of networks all week long, including 18 hours of live Super Bowl programming on NBC Sports Network and a variety of NFL content on Golf Channel. NBC will take over at noon ET on Sunday with the Super Bowl XLVI Pre-Game Show<\/em> leading into the 6:30 kickoff.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to be a successful day for us from noon ET on,\u201d said NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus said during a Tuesday press conference in Indianapolis. \u201cOn an ad-sales front, we\u2019re already in fine shape. We\u2019ve sold out all of the ancillary programming. We have sold out a lot of sponsors for the early portions of the pregame show.\u201d<\/p>\n

Covering its first Super Bowl since being acquired by Comcast in January 2011, NBCUniversal will carry Super Bowl-focused programming not only on NBC Sports Group properties like NBC Sports Network and Golf Channel but also on the NBC broadcast network and its arsenal of cable and digital outlets. This includes Super Bowl content featured on the Today <\/em>show, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Access Hollywood,<\/em> E! News, Bravo, CNBC, The Weather Channel, Style, Telemundo and mun2, G4, and iVillage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe think the entertainment value in audience enjoyment will be very strong, and, therefore, we believe that part will be a huge success leading into the biggest sporting event of the year,\u201d said Lazarus. \u201cIn terms of numbers of people, we have roughly 450 people here in town working tirelessly in front of the camera, behind the camera to host guests and to make this an NBCUniversal-wide success.\u201d<\/p>\n

Half Dozen Hours of Pregame Coverage
\n<\/strong>Led by Bob Costas, NBC Sports pregame coverage will include live team-hotel and sideline reports, player features and interviews, game analysis, live musical performances (Lenny Kravitz and The Fray), red-carpet interviews hosted by Nick Cannon, an interview with halftime act Madonna, reports from parties and events outside Lucas Oil Stadium, and a Matt Lauer interview with President Barack Obama.<\/p>\n

Costas will be joined by NBC\u2019s full arsenal of Sunday Night Football<\/em> talent \u2014Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya, Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Peter King, Mike Florio \u2014 and guest analysts and previous Super Bowl MVPs Aaron Rodgers and Hines Ward. Liam McHugh, Alex Flanagan (Giants) and Randy Moss (Patriots) will report from the team hotels, and The Weather Channel\u2019s Jim Cantore will provide weather reports. In addition, Doug Flutie, Collinsworth, and Harrison will provide player analysis while acting out plays on an on-field set at the stadium.<\/p>\n

Bravo culinary show Top Chef<\/em> will be on-site in Indianapolis with host Tom Colicchio and two contestants competing to create the perfect tailgate food. Dungy and Harrison will determine the winner.<\/p>\n

Recently Rebranded Network Goes All Out
\n<\/strong>One month after being rebranded as NBC Sports Network, the network formerly known as Versus has laid out nearly 20 hours of live Super Bowl programming this week, including daily editions of NBC SportsTalk: LIVE From the Super Bowl<\/em>. The lineup is highlighted by the first-ever Costas Tonight <\/em>on Thursday at 8 p.m. The two-hour town-hall\u2013style program will take place in front of a studio audience at Indiana Repertory Theater.<\/p>\n

Costas Tonight: Live From the Super Bowl<\/em>, produced by Ross Greenburg, will feature a one-on-one with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, as well as a coaches panel, state-of-the-game panel, and a Super Bowl XLVI preview panel featuring current owners coaches, players, and NBC analysts.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have multiple sets here,\u201d said Lazarus. \u201cWe have a studio set inside the media center where we\u2019re doing our NBC Sports Network shows from. Then we\u2019re also utilizing theaters around town, [one of which] will house the Bob Costas town-hall meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Costas Tonight<\/em> will be followed by the season finale of NFL Turning Point<\/em>, co-produced by NFL Films and the NBC Sports Group. The hour-long program, hosted by Patrick, focuses on the crucial turning point in games each week, using NFL Films\u2019 camera work and sideline and on-field audio. This week\u2019s episode focuses on the turning points in the Giants\u2019 and Patriots\u2019 seasons.<\/p>\n

Funnyman Feherty Leads the Way for Golf Channel
\n<\/strong>David Feherty will host a special Feherty Live<\/em> stage show from Indiana Repertory Theater on Friday night, which Golf Channel will air as a one-hour special Saturday at 10 p.m. In addition, throughout Super Bowl week, Golf Channel\u2019s Morning Drive<\/em> is featuring various NFL guests talking Super Bowl predictions.<\/p>\n

A Look Back at the Commercials<\/strong>
\nOn Monday, once the actual game is in the rear window, CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell will host a Google+ Hangout discussion of Super Bowl commercials. On Friday Feb. 17, during his NBC Sports Network show CNBC Sports Biz: Game On<\/em>, Rovell will reveal the most popular Super Bowl commercial as selected by YouTube Ad Blitz voters. The Hangout is part of an NBC Sports cross-promotion collaboration with YouTube and its Super Bowl Ad Blitz, an online gallery of Super Bowl commercials.<\/p>\n

Rovell will also shoot live spots from Indianapolis Thursday-Sunday and tape an episode of Sports Biz: Game On<\/em> from Indianapolis on the Friday before the game.<\/p>\n

As for the Rest of the NBCU Family\u2026
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