Versus becomes NBC Sports Network

From NBC Sports -

VERSUS to be re-branded as NBC Sports Network

NBC Sports to adopt redesigned logo

NEW YORK – August 1, 2011 – As part of a new strategy to bring all four tiers of its assets (broadcast network, two national cable networks, 11 regional sports networks and digital) into a consistent framework of branding, the NBC Sports Group today announced that VERSUS will be re-named the NBC Sports Network. In addition, the NBC Sports Group will implement a redesigned NBC Sports logo. Both changes take effect January 2, 2012. Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group, made the announcement today at the Television Critics Association (TCA) conference in Los Angeles.

The NBC Sports Network will serve as a 24/7 cable platform for NBC Sports’ rich heritage of unmatched storytelling, best-in-class production and broad promotional power. Many NBC Sports production and programming elements have already been introduced on VERSUS since the merger – such as adopting the “Inside the Glass” production philosophy for all its NHL games, and adding horse racing and Notre Dame Football-related programming. Viewers can expect to see even more changes in the future.



“This effort is a major step towards a complete strategic alignment of all our platforms and businesses,” said Lazarus. “This is more than just a name change for VERSUS. It’s a complete repositioning of the brand to provide value for marketers, consumers as well as all our affiliates and distributors. We want anyone who comes into contact with any of our assets to immediately connect with the NBC Sports brand promise.”

A new NBC Sports logo will also be implemented on January 2. The new logo features an evolutionary design that maintains the equity of the classic NBC Sports logo, while signaling something new. Changes include:

The Peacock is slightly larger.
The letters "NBC" are still bold but have a new font which puts them in balance with the Peacock.
"Sports" maintains its scripted feel, but features a new hand-lettered font exclusively created for NBC Sports.
Previously "Sports" was on an angle, but it has been straightened to allow for "Network" to fit easily beneath it and to accommodate the on-air design of commonly used sports tickers.

“The re-brand effort afforded us the opportunity to modernize the NBC Sports logo,” said John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Television Group and head of the NBC Sports Agency. “The changes are subtle, but signal a big change: a new beginning for the NBC Sports Group.”

January 2 was chosen as the re-brand date for several reasons, including the number of strategic events with large viewing audiences on NBC within a short timeframe that can be used to call attention to the re-branding efforts:

On Sunday, January 1, the NFL's regular season will conclude with the Week 17 Sunday Night Football matchup just hours prior to the re-brand.
On re-brand day, Monday, January 2, the NHL Winter Classic on NBC will allow for significant cross-promotion with the newly-named NBC Sports Network.
On Saturday, January 7, the NBC Sports Group will utilize its NFL Wild Card doubleheader coverage to drive re-brand awareness.
On Sunday, February 5, Super Bowl XLVI, the most-watched program of the year, will provide an unprecedented opportunity for cross-promotion between NBC and the NBC Sports Network.

The January 2 re-brand efforts are a continuation of branding initiatives that began as soon as the NBC Sports Group was formed. In February it was announced that all golf broadcasts on NBC would be re-branded as “Golf Channel on NBC.” In April, NBCSports.com absorbed VERSUS.com to create a single, robust online destination for fans.

NBC Sports Group’s regional sports networks are not currently scheduled to be re-branded, however, Lazarus said “many will evolve to have the look and feel of our NBC Sports brand and production values.”

Versus presents the Glenn Burke Story

From Versus:

VERSUS PRESENTS: "OUT. THE GLENN BURKE STORY," ABOUT FIRST OPENLY GAY MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER

Comcast SportsNet Documentary Nominated for Both Emmy and GLAAD Media Awards to Air on VERSUS August 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

NEW YORK – July 20, 2011 – “Out. The Glenn Burke Story,” which documents Burke’s legacy as the first openly gay Major League Baseball player, will have its national premiere on VERSUS on Tuesday, August 9, at 10 p.m. ET. Nominated for a Northern California Area Emmy Award and a nominee for Outstanding Documentary at the 22nd Annual GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards, “Out. The Glenn Burke Story” originally premiered on and was produced by Comcast SportsNet Bay Area last November. VERSUS will provide encore presentations of the documentary on Saturday, August 13, at 11 p.m. ET and Wednesday, August 17, at 11 p.m. ET Glenn Burke, the first openly gay Major League Baseball player, ended his journey through baseball where it began, in Oakland, California. His sports career had many stops along the way, starting as a multi-sport star at Berkeley High School, followed by a stint at the University of Nevada, Reno as a prized basketball recruit, and then into professional baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he was hailed by one coach as “the next Willie Mays.” Early in his career, Burke felt he had to hide his true self from his teammates. Later, when he began to reveal glimpses into his sexuality, the baseball establishment began to shut him out. “Out. The Glenn Burke Story” tells the dramatic tale of Burke’s Major League career as an outfielder for the Dodgers and as a starter in Game One of the 1977 World Series, to being traded to the Oakland Athletics the following season, and then walking away in 1980 from the game that he deeply loved. Many of Burke’s teammates were aware of his homosexuality during his playing career, as were members of management. Many of those teammates believe that Burke's sexuality led to the premature derailment of his baseball career. “Out. The Glenn Burke Story” explores the wedge that was driven between Burke and the Los Angeles Dodgers management, the ensuing similar situation in Oakland that led to Burke’s abrupt retirement, and the hero’s welcome that Burke received in San Francisco’s Castro District after he left professional baseball. The documentary follows him through his public announcement of his homosexuality in a 1982 Inside Sports magazine article and on The Today Show with Bryant Gumbel, to his downward spiral after his split from baseball, a split that drove Burke to drugs and prison, and eventually to living on the same San Francisco streets where he was once recognized as an icon. Burke’s story took on another level of tragedy when he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1994. At the end of Burke’s life, the game that he claimed had abandoned him so many years before reached out to one of its own. The Oakland A’s found Burke and provided him with constant support in his final months, as did some of his former teammates. “Out. The Glenn Burke Story” features numerous interviews with Burke’s teammates and friends, including Dusty Baker, Davey Lopes, Reggie Smith, Rick Monday, Manny Mota, Rickey Henderson, Claudell Washington, Mike Norris, Shooty Babitt, Tito Fuentes, and former Major Leaguer and gay rights activist Billy Bean. “Out. The Glenn Burke Story” is produced by Comcast SportNet Bay Area’s Ted Griggs, David Koppett, Sean Maddison and Doug Harris. The documentary is narrated by Dave Morey, who was inducted into the Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame in the class of 2010 after 26 years as a morning host at KFOG radio in San Francisco and nearly 40 years in broadcasting. Excerpts from “Out. The Glenn Burke Story”: Abdul-Jalil al-Hakim (Childhood friend and sports agent):On Burke’s homosexuality and the homophobia in Major League Baseball: “It was uncompromising on both ends. Glenn was comfortable with who he was. Baseball was not comfortable with who he was.” Davey Lopes (Former Los Angeles Dodgers infielder, Dodgers coach):On Burke being traded to the A’s: “You don’t break up, disrupt a team going as well as it was going to make changes. I didn’t feel it was going to make us a better ball club. Billy North was not going to make us, at that time, any better of a ballclub. Probably not the real reason why things happened.” Dusty Baker (Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, Cincinnati Reds manager):On the rumors of Burke’s sexual preference and his trade to the A’s: “I think the Dodgers knew; I think that’s why they traded Glenn.” Reggie Smith (Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder): On the suspicions about Burke’s sexuality: “I certainly didn’t want to accuse him of that, because one thing’s for sure - at that time period, it was a kiss of death for a ballplayer. He would’ve been excused from the game, so to say.” Vincent Trahan (Berkeley High School classmate):On Dodger management and their suspicions: “Al Campanis and Walter O’Malley had called him into the office and offered him $75,000 to get married. And Glenn, being his comic self, said, ‘I guess you mean to a woman?’” On the Dodgers’ controversial trade of Burke to the A’s: “He was hurt because they traded him not for his baseball ability but for his life choice.” Rick Monday (Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder, Dodgers broadcaster):On Burke battling personal and professional demons: “We didn’t understand the challenges he was going through on a daily basis at the time. You put it into perspective when you say, here is a guy that is fighting not only the opposing pitcher that was trying to get him out, he was fighting the unknown.” Lyle Spencer (MLB.com, former Los Angeles Dodgers beat writer):On the reaction of Burke’s teammates the day he was traded: “I was shocked that he was traded... I walked into the clubhouse…and guys were visibly distraught over the trade, and that told me that my sense of how important he was to them internally was accurate. I even remember a few players crying when they found out about it at their lockers, which is stunning.” Billy Bean (Former Major League outfielder, gay rights activist):On Burke in baseball: “Baseball wasn’t ready for Glenn Burke. He was a pioneer and he caught them off guard.” On dealing with discrimination: “The closet hurts people - forever. Everyone’s career ends, but to do it because you don’t feel you belong there when you’ve proven that you do is damaging. And it affects everything, and I’m sure that’s why Glenn swam in the waters of drugs and alcohol - to take away his frustration.” Lutha Davis (Burke's Sister):On AIDS: “A lot of people were scared because I think, at the time, you didn’t know whether you can just breathe on somebody and get AIDS or just touch them.” Pamela Pitts (Oakland A’s Director of Baseball Administration):On Burke’s reaction to hearing the A’s would help him: “Glenn started to cry and said, ‘I’ve been told you’re going to help me. I can’t believe someone wants to help me.’” On Burke’s death: “I do believe he was in a much better place. His demons were gone.” Watch “Out. The Glenn Burke Story” trailer: http://www.csnbayarea.com/pages/video?PID=xvYiUIwU7T_ZDt6XSawqgAW_NR88XaG_

Bruins/Canucks Game 3 on Versus Monday Night

From Versus/NBC Sports -

VERSUS DROPS THE PUCK ON GAME 3 OF THE NHL STANLEY CUP FINAL TONIGHT

Coverage Begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with Special Pregame Edition of Hockey Central

NEW YORK (June 6, 2011)– VERSUS will air Games 3 and 4 of the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final beginning tonight as the series shifts to Boston with the Vancouver Canucks leading the Bruins, 2-0. Coverage for both games on VERSUS begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with half-hour pregame coverage live from TD Garden in Boston. VERSUS will also continue to present extensive postgame coverage of Hockey Central live from the arena after all games. Hockey Central pre- and postgame shows on VERSUS will feature the latest highlights, news, analysis and player interviews from the series and tonight's game. Bill Patrick will host both shows tonight with Keith Jones and Mike Milbury serving as analysts for the pregame coverage. Jeremy Roenick and in-arena reporter Darren Pang will join Patrick for the postgame show. Emmy-award winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst) will anchor VERSUS’ game coverage with analyst Pierre McGuire stationed “inside-the-glass.” NBC SPORTS GROUP STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE (all times ET) Monday, June 6 Game 3: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – VERSUS Wednesday, June 8 Game 4: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – VERSUS Friday, June 10 Game 5 (if necessary): Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET – NBC Monday, June 13 Game 6 (if necessary): Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – NBC Wednesday, June 15 Game 7 (if necessary): Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET – NBC DIGITAL: NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com have combined forces to create a single, robust destination for hockey fans during the NHL Stanley Cup Final. The NBC Sports Group consolidated NHL content from both the NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com’s hockey sections onto the rapidly-growing NBCSports.com site. One of the key content areas is ProHockeyTalk, one of NBCSports.com's popular “Sports Talk” platforms that also include ProFootballTalk, CollegeFootballTalk, HardBallTalk, ProBasketballTalk and ProGolfTalk. Some of the features on NBCSports.com during the Stanley Cup Final include: Online-only videos featuring VERSUS and NBC Sports hockey commentators previewing upcoming games and wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day. "Star-Cam,” which follows marquee players in NBC games, and "Net-Cam," which provides a unique perspective from behind the goalie. ProHockeyTalk, which recently had its most-trafficked month ever, will update the 2011 Stanley Cup Final news around the clock. SOCIAL MEDIA: Fans can also keep up with the NHL Stanley Cup Final through a variety of NBC Sports and VERSUS social media platforms throughout the postseason. Content will include: Behind the Scenes: Through the joint “NHL on NBC and VERSUS” Facebook page and @NHLonNBC_VS on Twitter, fans receive exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and video. Commentator Tweets: Various NBC and VERSUS commentators will provide Twitter content throughout the Final, including occasional in-game Tweets. Fan Questions: Fans will have the opportunity to ask questions to NBC and VERSUS commentators via Facebook and Twitter. Team Tabs: Fans who “Like” the joint NBC and VERSUS Facebook page will have the opportunity to play a variety of games and upload fan photos based around each of their favorite teams who made the playoffs. As teams advance in the playoffs, new and more difficult games will challenge fans. News: Fans can follow NBC and VERSUS Facebook and Twitter accounts to receive the most up to date scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk.

NBC, Versus and CSN NE team up for Bruins Coverage

From NBC Sports -

NBC SPORTS GROUP TO SURROUND NHL STANLEY CUP FINAL WITH COVERAGE ON NBC, VERSUS AND COMCAST SPORTSNET NEW ENGLAND

VERSUS to Air Hockey Central after Every Contest and Pregame Shows prior to Games 3-4; CSNNE to Provide Local Pre and Postgame Coverage after Every Game

NBC Sports Drops the Puck on the Series Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET with Game 1 between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins; All Games will Air in Primetime

NEW YORK (May 31, 2011)– The NBC Sports Group will surround the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Final between the Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks and the Eastern Conference Champion Boston Bruins with primetime coverage of every game on NBC and VERSUS as well as pre- and postgame coverage nationally on VERSUS and locally in Boston on Comcast SportsNet New England. NBC will broadcast Games 1-2, and, if necessary, Games 5-7, while VERSUS will present exclusive coverage of Games 3-4 of the series.

To wrap up each night of coverage during the best-of-seven series on NBC and VERSUS, there will be a Hockey Central postgame show on VERSUS with the latest highlights, news, analysis and player interviews, live on-location from either the TD Garden in Boston or Rogers Arena in Vancouver. The shows will be hosted by either Bill Patrick or Liam McHugh with Keith Jones and Jeremy Roenick serving as analysts as well as Darren Pang working as the in-arena reporter. Additionally, before coverage of Games 3-4 on VERSUS there will be a Hockey Central pregame show 30 minutes prior to puck-drop with Bill Patrick as host alongside Keith Jones and Mike Milbury.

Emmy-award winner Mike ‘Doc’ Emrick (play-by-play) and Eddie Olczyk (analyst) will anchor NBC and VERSUS’ game coverage with analyst Pierre McGuire stationed “inside-the-glass.” NBC’s studio show will feature host Liam McHugh and analyst Mike Milbury for Games 1-2 and Dan Patrick with Mike Milbury for Games 5-7, if necessary.

For viewers in and around Boston, Comcast SporstNet New England’s nightly coverage of the Bruins-Canucks series will begin every evening at 6 p.m. ET with Chevrolet SportsNet Central. Anchors/reporters Mike Giardi and Kevin Walsh along with CSNNE.com Bruins insider Joe Haggerty will provide extensive nightly reports. The Boston Globe's Kevin Paul Dupont, 98.5 The Sports Hub's Bob Beers and NBC Sports Group hockey analysts are expected to contribute to Comcast SportsNet's nightly and game-night coverage.

NBC SPORTS AND VERSUS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SAM FLOOD ON THE STANLEY CUP FINAL: “We are really excited about this final and the NBC Sports Group working together between the two platforms to make this the biggest and best yet in the new world of the NHL. The combination of the game group and the studio group coming together on the road and sharing the platforms between VERSUS and NBC is very exciting. It’s allowed us to put everyone in the best position to be successful. It should be a great start tomorrow night in Vancouver.”

FLOOD ON THE NBC SPORTS GROUP COVERAGE PHILOSOPHY: “The NBC Sports Group philosophy is more about telling a story and showcasing the game. The technology takes care of itself. We’ll obviously have players with microphones, but we’re not going to get in the way of the game. We’re going to let the game be the star. Our job is to document that game and then make the viewing of that game more enjoyable for the fans.”

EDDIE OLCZYK ON THE STANLEY CUP FINAL: “You need stars and both these teams have them, but the interesting dynamic is that you need more than just top two line players. You need your role players that need to execute and I think this speaks to the success and why these teams made it here.”

OLCZYK ON BOSTON BRUINS ROAD TO THE FINAL: “They were able to beat Tampa Bay by out-defending them and found a way to play to their strengths.”

JEREMY ROENICK ON THE STANLEY CUP FINAL MATCHUP: “The two teams that are playing are very worthy of being here and have gotten here in different ways. I think Boston, with their true grit and their resiliency going to two Game 7’s, being down in a series and being able to battle back, and Vancouver maintaining a very consistent level of play, it couldn’t be a better fit for the National Hockey League having the two teams that are in the Stanley Cup Final.”


FLOOD ON GAME TALENT: “Doc Emrick, who won the Emmy as best play-by-play guy in all of sports, not just hockey; he won it over the NFL, NBA, MLB. Doc was recognized this year as the best – the gold standard -- so it’s very exciting to have him as the captain of our team. Eddie Olczyk breaks the game down better than anyone in terms of showing why things are happening, and then Pierre McGuire being inside the glass for all seven games of the Final. He’s another huge advantage for us that he can have those unique insights from ice level.”

NBC SPORTS GROUP STANLEY CUP FINAL SCHEDULE (all times ET)

Wednesday, June 1
Game 1: Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET – NBC
Saturday, June 4
Game 2: Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET – NBC
Monday, June 6
Game 3: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – VERSUS
Wednesday, June 8
Game 4: Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – VERSUS
Friday, June 10
Game 5 (if necessary): Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET – NBC
Monday, June 13
Game 6 (if necessary): Vancouver at Boston, 8 p.m. ET – NBC
Wednesday, June 15
Game 7 (if necessary): Boston at Vancouver, 8 p.m. ET – NBC


DIGITAL: NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com have combined forces to create a single, robust destination for hockey fans during the NHL Stanley Cup Final. The NBC Sports Group consolidated NHL content from both the NBCSports.com and VERSUS.com’s hockey sections onto the rapidly-growing NBCSports.com site. One of the key content areas is ProHockeyTalk, one of NBCSports.com's popular “Sports Talk” platforms that also include ProFootballTalk, CollegeFootballTalk, HardBallTalk, ProBasketballTalk and ProGolfTalk.

Some of the features on NBCSports.com during the Stanley Cup Final include:

Online-only videos featuring VERSUS and NBC Sports hockey commentators previewing upcoming games and wrapping-up all of the NHL action that day.
"Star-Cam,” which follows marquee players in NBC games, and "Net-Cam," which provides a unique perspective from behind the goalie.
ProHockeyTalk, which recently had its most-trafficked month ever, will update the 2011 Stanley Cup Final news around the clock.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Fans can also keep up with the NHL Stanley Cup Final through a variety of NBC Sports and VERSUS social media platforms throughout the postseason. Content will include:

Behind the Scenes: Through the joint “NHL on NBC and VERSUS” Facebook page and @NHLonNBC_VS on Twitter, fans receive exclusive behind-the-scenes photos, interviews and video.
Commentator Tweets: Various NBC and VERSUS commentators will provide Twitter content throughout the Final, including occasional in-game Tweets.
Fan Questions: Fans will have the opportunity to ask questions to NBC and VERSUS commentators via Facebook and Twitter.
Team Tabs: Fans who “Like” the joint NBC and VERSUS Facebook page will have the opportunity to play a variety of games and upload fan photos based around each of their favorite teams who made the playoffs. As teams advance in the playoffs, new and more difficult games will challenge fans.
News: Fans can follow NBC and VERSUS Facebook and Twitter accounts to receive the most up to date scores, reports and stories from around the NHL and ProHockeyTalk.