CNBC and the NHL Network will air Stanley Cup playoff games this year, as part of the new NHL television contract. Meanwhile, ESPN and TNT have made some changes to their NBA schedules, and The Golf Channel has agreed to a new deal with the LPGA Tour’s Kraft Nabisco Championship.
- CNBC to Air Stanley Cup Playoff Games: Coverage of the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs will air on the usual suspects — NBC and NBC Sports Network — as well as league-owned NHL Network and cable news outlet CNBC. Under the new NHL television deal with NBC, every playoff game will be televised nationally. As a result, CNBC and NHL Network will help carry the load during the first and second round, when there can be as many as four games in one night. (NBC Sports Group press release via Fang’s Bites)
- ESPN Adds Knicks/Bucks, Suns/Rockets: The April 11 Knicks/Bucks NBA regular season game will air on ESPN, replacing a previously scheduled Hawks/Celtics telecast. Two nights later, ESPN will air Suns/Rockets, replacing a previously scheduled Bucks/Pistons game. Meanwhile, TNT has replaced an April 24 Hornets/Warriors game with Suns/Jazz. (NBA.com)
- Golf Channel Extends Deal With Kraft Nabisco Championship: The Golf Channel has agreed to a three-year extension to continue televising the LPGA Tour Kraft Nabisco Championship, the first major of the season. The Golf Channel televised the event for the first time last year, providing significantly more hours of coverage than previous rightsholders CBS and ESPN. (The Golf Channel via Fang’s Bites)
