Funnel Altering: Versus Becomes NBC Sports Network

NBC Sports Network logo design The brand new year brings a brand new identity for Versus, the cable sports network most widely known for hunting and fishing shows, the Tour p France and also the Nhl. Now an element of the NBC Universal empire (following a merger with Comcast, which possessed Versus), the funnel - presently obtainable in a lot more than 75 million homes - becomes the NBC Sports Network at 4 p.m. ET on Monday, The month of january 2 and can undergo a serious transformation throughout every season. "It will likely be significantly different with time," states Jon Burns, the leader of programming, who's building what he calls "a complete-service sports network," which will include live occasions, news and talk shows and original programming. Versus, that was once referred to as Outside Existence Network, has gradually moved forward right into a player within the TV sports world. However, many unusual programming options - such as the T. Ocho Show, a train wreck of the talk show featuring flamboyant National football league stars Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco - compromised the network's credibility. "Whenever we required over Versus, there is lots of programming around the network that people did not think was in line with what NBC Sports involved,Inch Burns states. "So the first factor we did was we jettisoned some qualities like Wacked Out Sports and T. Ocho and Sports Soup." But overhauling the network has not only been about eliminating junk. "Quickly the softball bat we designed a long-term deal to increase the NHL for ten years, we acquired broadcast and cable privileges for Major League Soccer therefore we began to produced a lot of our original programming," Burns states. (For the hunting and fishing shows, "they'll keep having a job within this new funnel moving forward,Inch Burns promises, "however they most likely will not possess a dominant as role as they have had previously.") The NHL remains a main issue with the schedule with games and studio shows several nights per week, along with the All-Star Game on Jan. 29 and also the Stanley Cup 2010 nfl playoffs early in the year (together with NBC). Also remaining aboard are Mountain West Conference basketball games and also the Tour p France. For new purchases, soccer will end up a prominent area of the line-up, beginning using the championship bet on the women's Olympic being approved tournament for that CONCACAF region (including North and Guatemala) on Jan. 29. Other U.S. women's and men's national team games are planned, and also the to begin the network's roughly 40 MLS contests is going to be public on March 11 (additional games will air on NBC). "It's all of the markings of the sport that's increasing,Inch Burns states of MLS. "Should you consider the attendance figures and exactly how it's growing, we believe it had been ideal for us. We made a hostile bid for this. It is a good property that's delivering a note to everyone that they are here and they are not going anywhere soon.Inch This summer's London Olympic games offer the funnel having a bounty of programming, including U.S. team tests and pre-Olympic competition in sports like swimming, diving, gymnastics, water polo, area hockey, track and area and volleyball. Throughout the Games the network covers a number of occasions, including cycling, basketball and soccer. Original programming initiatives started last fall with NBC Sports Talk (weeknights at 6/5c). Because the title suggests, the emphasis is much more on talk - and opinion. "There is lots places where one can get highlights, but ideas let you know things to model of this news,Inch Burns states. Another reveal that opened within the fall is CNBC Sports Biz (Fridays at 7/6c), located by CNBC's manic, Twitter-obsessed reporter Darren Rovell, who concentrates on money instead of X's and O's. As well as in possibly the network's greatest statement, Bob Costas will host a monthly interview show, Costas Tonight, premiering early in the year, and quarterly town hall special offers, starting with Costas Tonight: Live In the Super Bowl, on Thursday, February. 2. Take a look at a promo for that NBC Sports Network: Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!