NBCU Promotes NFL Through Weather Channel, CNBC, Affiliates

"Back to Football" week kicks off Thursday with special segments across properties

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 9/6/2011 1:43:05 PM

To help celebrate the return of football on Thursday, NBCUniversal is kicking off "Back to Football" week.

All week long, NBCU will feature football-themed programming, including on-site segments with players and NBC Sports commentators, leading up to Thursday night's season opener featuring the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers playing host to the previous season's champion New Orleans Saints.

A four-month lockout from March-July had threatened the 2011 season, but on Thursday the league's season will begin on time.

"For so many Americans, the start of football season is a special time, and once again the NBCUniversal family helps to build upon the momentum when our country gets 'Back to Football,'" said John Miller, CMO of NBCU Television Group and head of NBC Sports Agency. "This is the first NFL season for the new NBCUniversal and more assets than ever are involved in the NBC Sports Group's 'Big Event Strategy.'"

On Thursday, NBC will send Today's Al Roker and Matt Lauer to report on-site from Green Bay, Wis., including interviews with NBC Sports commentators and features with players. Fourth-hour Today hosts Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford will have an NFL-themed segment on Wednesday. On Saturday, the weekend edition of Today will interview one of the analysts for the network's Sunday-night studio show Football Night in America.

NBC's two late-night hosts, Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon, will also feature football-themed segments and sketches throughout the week. Tonight Show correspondent Rove McManus will have a taped feature interviewing fans and locals from Green Bay.

Other highlights of NBCU's "Back to Football" week include:

Access Hollywood
On Thursday, Access Hollywood will air a behind-the-scenes feature with Faith Hill recording and performing the Sunday Night Football opener, "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night."

America's Got Talent
Talent will incorporate an NFL Kickoff message and "Back to Football" information into the Tuesday and Wednesday broadcasts.

Weather Channel
Al Roker and Stephanie Abrams will be on-site in Green Bay reporting live for Wake Up with Al and Your Weather Today on Thursday.

CNBC
Sports-business reporter Darren Rovell will be on-site in Green Bay reporting live for CNBC's daytime coverage on Thursday.

E!
Will report live from Green Bay on Thursday for E! News.

Telemundo
Late-night sports and entertainment show, Titulares y Más, will be on-site in Green Bay covering the Kickoff concert and all the NFL Kickoff news.

NBC Affiliates and Comcast Regional Sports Networks
Local correspondents will report live from Green Bay on Thursday, feeding content to all 235 local stations and 11 Comcast Regional Sports Networks. NBC affiliates in NFL markets will also help celebrate "Back to Football Friday," by wearing NFL customized jerseys on-air Friday morning.