NBC's Versus, which is undergoing a re-branding to become the NBC Sports Network, announced plans Monday for its first-ever NFL show, "NFL Turning Point."
The series from NFL Films and NBC Sports Group will examine the turning point in two games each week, taking advantage of NFL Films' close access to the action. The show will often feature the two teams in the coming weekend's Sunday Night Football on NBC, helping promote tune-in for the game.
"NFL Turning Point" will debut Thursday, Sept. 15. Starting on Nov. 10, when Thursday night NFL games begin on NFL Network, new episodes will air at midnight ET.
Versus is changing its name to the NBC Sports Network on Jan. 2.
Here's the release:
NEW YORK – August 22, 2011 – Every game has a turning point and NFL Films and the NBC Sports Group are partnering to cover that crucial moment for football fans in a more in-depth way than ever before by launching a new one-hour program, NFL Turning Point, that will air weekly on VERSUS during the NFL regular season. It is the first NFL program ever to air on VERSUS, which will be re-named the NBC Sports Network on January 2.
The announcement was made today by NFL Films President Steve Sabol and Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. Each week, NFL Films will utilize its unprecedented access to cover two games in its traditional behind-the-scenes, award-winning style. The crucial moment in each game — its turning point — will be examined in-depth and from all angles using NFL Films’ unmatched cinematography, sideline and on-field audio as well as postgame access to players and coaches.
“Showcasing the sounds and images of the game, from the smallest detail to the big picture has been our strength for nearly 50 years,” said Sabol. “We are thrilled to get an opportunity to produce that type of show with a new partner in VERSUS.”
The new program debuts Thursday, September 15, at 10 p.m. ET/PT and airs a new episode at that time every week through November 3. Beginning on November 10, when Thursday night NFL games begin on NFL Network, new episodes of NFL Turning Point will air at midnight ET. “NFL Turning Point is symbolic of the high-quality, relevant programming viewers will see more of on our national, all-sports cable platform,” said Lazarus. “It unites two of sports’ premier storytellers in NBC Sports and NFL Films to bring viewers a new perspective on the game.”
NFL Turning Point will often include games featuring teams that are playing against each other the upcoming week on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, providing additional promotion for the No. 1 primetime show of the fall.
