Blackout Lifted

Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2 Broadcast Schedule

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 3:32 PM

#1 Boston Bruins vs. #6 Carolina Hurricanes

Friday, May 1- at Boston (VERSUS/TSN, 7:30pm)
Sunday, May 3- at Boston (VERSUS/TSN, 7:30pm)
Wednesday, May 6- at Carolina (VERSUS/TSN, 7:30pm)
Friday, May 8- at Carolina (VERSUS/TSN, 7:30pm)
*Sunday, May 10- at Boston (VERSUS/TSN, 7:30pm)
*Tuesday, May 12- at Carolina (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
*Thursday, May 14- at Boston(TSN, TBD)

#2 Washington Capitals vs. #4 Pittsburgh Penguins

Saturday, May 2- at Washington (NBC/CBC/RDS, 1pm)
Monday, May 4- at Washington (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)
Wednesday, May 6- at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)
Friday, May 8- at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)
*Saturday, May 9- at Washington (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)
*Monday, May 11- at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, TBD)
*Wednesday, May 13- at Washington (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)

#2 Detroit Red Wings vs. #8 Anaheim Ducks

Friday, May 1- at Detroit (VERSUS/TSN2, 7pm)
Sunday, May 3- at Detroit (NBC/TSN, 2pm)
Tuesday, May 5- at Anaheim (VERSUS/TSN, 10:30pm)
Thursday, May 7- at Anaheim (VERSUS/TSN, 10:30pm)
*Sunday, May 10- at Detroit (TSN, 5pm)
*Tuesday, May 12- at Anaheim (VERSUS/TSN, TBD)
*Thursday, May 14- at Detroit (VERSUS/TSN, TBD)

#3 Vancouver Canucks vs. #4 Chicago Blackhawks

Thursday, April 30- at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS, 9pm)
Saturday, May 2- at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS, 9pm)
Tuesday, May 5- at Chicago (CBC/VERSUS, 8pm)
Thursday, May 7- at Chicago (CBC/VERSUS, 8pm)
*Saturday, May 9- at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS, 10:30pm)
*Monday, May 11- at Chicago (CBC/VERSUS, 9pm)
*Thursday, May 14- at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS, TBD)

(*- If Necessary)

The NFL Draft

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 9:53 PM

Just a few quick comments on today's coverage of the 1st and 2nd rounds of the NFL Draft. As a disciple who has worshiped at the altar of Mel Kiper, Jr. for more than two decades, I have to say that the NFL Network has far better coverage of the draft right now than ESPN. The problem with ESPN is that they have too many loudmouths on their set. Between Chris "I Can't Shut My Mouth" Berman, Keyshawn "Just Give Me the Damn Microphone" Johnson, and Steve "I Have Trouble Forming Sentences Due to All Those Concussions" Young, Mel Kiper can barely get a word in edgewise. Plus, once they get into the 2nd round and the picks come faster, ESPN can't adjust to the pace and they miss way too many picks. For those of you who have access to it (which is a sticky issue unto itself) I recommend the NFL Network for Sunday's rounds. If they could just get Kiper on the NFL Network, all would be perfect.

A personal update

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 9:43 PM

The reason I have neglected to post here in almost two weeks is because I recently went back to work. Sort of. My former employer that laid me off in February had someone who does a job similar to what I did quit suddenly. So the very next day I got a call from them wanting me to come back on a temporary basis until they find a replacement. Truthfully, I was actually relieved when I was laid off from this company, as it was the most toxic work environment I have ever been a part of. But knowing that if I turned down their offer I would be forgoing my unemployment benefits I negotiated the best option I could think of. So for now I will be working on both an independent contractor and part-time basis. I expect that this will provide me with 3-4 days of work per week and an income that exceeds what my unemployment benefits were. Hopefully, it will also leave me time to continue to pursue better long-term options. I also plan to keep up with the blogging as much a s possible.

Harry Kalas 1936-2009

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 11:34 AM

Baseball Hall of Famer and broadcasting legend Harry Kalas collapsed and died early this afternoon while preparing to broadcast a game at Nationals Park in Washington DC. Kalas had been the play-by-play announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies since 1971. He had also served as the voice of NFL Films. Kalas turned 73 on March 26th.

Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Schedule

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 10:36 AM

Here is the schedule for Round 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, courtesy of Awful Announcing.

2009 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

No. 1 Boston Bruins vs. No. 8 Montreal Canadiens

Thursday, April 16- Montreal at Boston (CBC/RDS, 7pm)
Saturday, April 18- Montreal at Boston (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 8pm)
Monday, April 20- Boston at Montreal (CBC/RDS, 7pm)
Wednesday, April 22- Boston at Montreal (CBC/RDS, 7pm)
*Saturday, April 25- Montreal at Boston (CBC/RDS, 7pm)
*Monday, April 27- Boston at Montreal (CBC/RDS, TBD)
*Wednesday, April 29- Montreal at Boston (CBC/RDS, TBD)

No. 2 Washington Capitals vs. No. 7 New York Rangers

Wednesday, April 15- NY Rangers at Washington (TSN, 7pm)
Saturday, April 18- NY Rangers at Washington (NBC/TSN, 1pm)
Monday, April 20- Washington at NY Rangers (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
Wednesday, April 22- Washington at NY Rangers (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
*Friday, April 24- NY Rangers at Washington (VERSUS/TSN/RDS, 7pm)
*Sunday, April 26- Washington at NY Rangers (NBC/TSN/RDS, 2pm)
*Tuesday, April 28- NY Rangers at Washington (VERSUS/TSN/RDS, TBD)

No. 3 New Jersey Devils vs. No. 6 Carolina Hurricanes

Wednesday, April 15- Carolina at New Jersey (TSN/RIS, 7:30pm)
Friday, April 17- Carolina at New Jersey (TSN/RIS, 7:30pm)
Sunday, April 19- New Jersey at Carolina (TSN/RIS, 7:30pm)
Tuesday, April 21- New Jersey at Carolina (TSN/RIS, 7:30pm)
*Thursday, April 23- Carolina at New Jersey (TSN/RIS, 7:30pm)
*Sunday, April 26- New Jersey at Carolina (TSN/VERSUS, TBD)
*Tuesday, April 28- Carolina at New Jersey (TSN, 7:30pm)

No. 4 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. No. 5 Philadelphia Flyers

Wednesday, April 15- Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)
Friday, April 17- Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)
Sunday, April 19- Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (NBC/CBC/RDS, 3pm)
Tuesday, April 21- Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)
*Thursday, April 23- Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 7pm)
*Saturday, April 25- Pittsburgh at Philadelphia (NBC/CBC, 3pm)
*Monday, April 27- Philadelphia at Pittsburgh (VERSUS/CBC, TBD)

2009 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

No. 1 San Jose Sharks vs. No. 8 Anaheim Ducks

Thursday, April 16- Anaheim at San Jose (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 10:30pm)
Sunday, April 19- Anaheim at San Jose (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 10pm)
Tuesday, April 21- San Jose at Anaheim (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 10:30pm)
Thursday, April 23- San Jose at Anaheim (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 10:30pm)
*Saturday, April 25- Anaheim at San Jose (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, 10pm)
*Monday, April 27- San Jose at Anaheim (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, TBD)
*Wednesday, April 29- Anaheim at San Jose (VERSUS/CBC/RDS, TBD)

No. 2 Detroit Red Wings vs. No. 7 Columbus Blue Jackets

Thursday, April 16- Columbus at Detroit (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
Saturday, April 18- Columbus at Detroit (TSN, 6pm)
Tuesday, April 21- Detroit at Columbus (TSN, 7pm)
Thursday, April 23- Detroit at Columbus (TSN, 7pm)
*Saturday, April 25- Columbus at Detroit (VERSUS/TSN, 7pm)
*Monday, April 27- Detroit at Columbus (TSN, TBD)
*Wednesday, April 29- Columbus at Detroit (VERSUS/TSN, TBD)

No. 3 Vancouver Canucks vs. No. 6 St. Louis Blues

Wed., April 15- St. Louis at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS/RDS, 10pm)
Friday, April 17- St. Louis at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS/RDS, 10pm)
Sunday, April 19- Vancouver at St. Louis (CBC/VERSUS, 7pm)
Tuesday, April 21- Vancouver at St. Louis (CBC/VERSUS, 8pm)
*Friday, April 24- St. Louis at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS/RDS, 10pm)
*Sunday, April 26- Vancouver at St. Louis (CBC/VERSUS/RDS, 8pm)
*Tuesday, April 28- St. Louis at Vancouver (CBC/VERSUS/RDS, TBD)

No. 4 Chicago Blackhawks vs. No. 5 Calgary Flames

Thursday, April 16- Calgary at Chicago (TSN/VERSUS, 8:30pm)
Saturday, April 18- Calgary at Chicago (TSN, TBD)
Monday, April 20- Chicago at Calgary (TSN/VERSUS, 9:30pm)
Wednesday, April 22- Chicago at Calgary (TSN/VERSUS, TBD)
*Saturday, April 25- Calgary at Chicago (TSN/RIS, 10pm)
*Monday, April 27- Chicago at Calgary (TSN, TBD)
*Wednesday, April 29- Calgary at Chicago (TSN, TBD)

(*- If Necessary)

NFL Network vs Comcast

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 10:28 AM

The case goes to the FCC tomorrow. Likewise, the case of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) vs Comcast will be heard. Bob Fernandez of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote this column that sums it all up nicely. Comcrap is evil and I will be rooting hard for the NFL & Co. to prevail. I'll discuss more about what Comcrap is doing to sports fans out here in Oregon soon.

NFL Schedule Release Now a Televised Event

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 12:06 PM

The NFL has announced that it will release its full-season 2009 schedule on Tuesday April 14. To boost the profile of its own media properties, the league will make the schedule release a 2-hour primetime spectacle, complete with a naming rights sponsor, on the NFL Network beginning at 7pm ET. Here's more on the NFL Total Access: 2009 Schedule Release Presented by GMC Sierra

NFL Network's NFL Total Access: 2009 Schedule Release will feature host Rich Eisen and in-studio analysts, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Brian Billick, Jamie Dukes, Solomon Wilcots, and former Bucs general manager Bruce Allen, plus other special guests including former Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson.

Reporters will be spread across the country to get reaction. NFL Network reporters will be in Boston to get fan reaction on the Patriots' schedule as Tom Brady returns from his injury, in Philadelphia for the announcement of the first regular season opponent McNabb will face without defensive leader Brian Dawkins, in Chicago for comments on Jay Cutler's debut as he changes conferences, and in Denver to talk about the new season under Josh McDaniels.

The special includes a look at the making of the schedule, plus interviews with head coaches and GMs on how it affects their planning and preparation. Players also will also be interviewed and the top games will be debated.

For those without access to the NFL Network, or if you have no interest in the talking heads and just want to see your favorite teams schedule, you'll want to go to NFL.com to get the first look. The league's website will be the first to release the schedule online, also at 7pm ET Tuesday. The website will also have several other features related to the schedule release.

NFL.com will be the first site to have the complete team-by-team and weekly schedules of all 256 regular-season games, listing opponents, sites and times. NFL.com will feature interactive components by giving fans a voice through chats, fan forums and poll questions.

Other features on the website will include analysis by NFL.com reporters and breakdowns of the division schedules. NFL.com will include which games will be on CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC and NFL Network. There will also be printer-friendly versions of the team-by-team and week-by-week schedules.

Blackout Lifted Predicts Week 1 NFL Schedule

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 12:38 PM

As promised, here is what I thing Week 1 of the NFL schedule will be. Games that have already been announced are in bold.

Thursday September 10, 2009
Tennesee Titans at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:30pm ET (NBC)

Sunday September 13, 2009
Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs, 1pm ET (CBS)
Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1pm ET (CBS)
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts, 1pm ET (CBS)
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals, 1pm ET (CBS)
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens, 1pm ET (CBS)
St. Louis Rams at Washington Redskins, 1pm ET (Fox)
New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1pm ET (Fox)
Minnesota Vikings at Carolina Panthers, 1pm ET (Fox)
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons, 1pm ET (Fox)
* Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants, 4:15pm ET (Fox)
Detroit Lions at Seattle Seahawks, 4:15pm ET (Fox)
San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals, 4:15pm ET (Fox)
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears, 8:30pm ET (NBC)

Monday September 14, 2009
Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots, 7pm ET (ESPN)
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders, 10:15pm ET (ESPN)

* Sunday afternoon national broadcast

Note: CBS will not have any games broadcast in the late afternoon time slot due to U.S. Open Tennis coverage.

One Shining Moment 2009

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 12:35 PM

For those who enjoy it, here is CBS's One Shining Moment from the 2009 NCAA Basketball Tournament.

The Leader Officially Acknowledges There is Life Outside the New York/New England Corridor

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 12:03 PM

ESPN christened its new west coast studio last night, broadcasting the 10pm SportsCenter (1am ET) from Los Angeles. And while it's doubtful that ESPN will suddenly realize that Major League Baseball consists of more teams than the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, this development should at least ensure that late-night viewers will now be inundated with the Los Angeles Lakers and USC Football. What's that? Oh. Nevermind.

Masters Coverage

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 11:32 AM

Once again CBS and ESPN will team up with coverage of the Masters Tournament, beginning with the Par 3 Contest on Wednesday April 8 through the final round on Sunday April 12. Here is the broadcast schedule and announcing crews for each network.

ESPN Team: Mike Tirico, Scott Van Pelt, Andy North, Tom Rinaldi

CBS Team: Jim Nantz, Nick Faldo, Peter Oosterhuis, Verne Lundquist, David Feherty, Bill Macatee, Peter Kostis and Ian Baker-Finch

Wednesday, April 8
Masters Par 3 Contest (ESPN, 3pm)

Thursday, April 9
Live Coverage (ESPN, 4-7:30pm)
Replay of Round One (ESPN, 8-11pm)
Highlights Show (CBS, 11:30-11:45pm)

Friday, April 10
Live Coverage (ESPN, 4-7:30pm)
Replay of Round Two (ESPN, 8-11pm)
Highlights Show (CBS, 11:30-11:45pm)

Saturday, April 11
Live Coverage (CBS, 3:30pm)

Sunday, April 12
Live Coverage (CBS, 3:30pm)

As is often the case, DirecTV customers will have enhanced viewing options available. Beginning with the first round on April 9, DirecTV will unveil The Masters Experience free of charge to all subscribers on Channels 701-705. Enhancements include a four-channel split screen, with non-stop coverage from well known Augusta locales like the Amen Corner. Interactive features like live scoreboards and on-demand highlights are also available. If you're a golf nut with DirecTV, Thursday and Friday are definitely days you'll want to call in sick (cough, cough).

Your Final Four schedule and announcers

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 10:46 PM

Saturday April 4, 2009
Ford Field; Detroit, MI

6:07pm ET #2 Michigan St. vs #1Connecticut
8:47pm ET #3 Villanova vs #1North Carolina

Announcers: Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg


Monday April 6, 2009
Ford Field; Detroit, MI

9:21pm ET Michigan St./Connecticut vs Villanova/North Carolina

Announcers: Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg

Freebie Alert!

Written by Synergy Legal, Inc. on 1:33 PM

DirecTV will be offering a free preview of its MLB Extra Innings package to all customers during the opening week of the season. The preview begins Monday April 6th and ends Sunday April 12th. Enjoy!