BETTIS OFFICIALLY OUT AT NBC

What has been speculated is now official - Jerome Bettis is no longer a broadcaster for NBC's "Football Night in America" studio show. With his contract up, the Peacock decided to go in a different direction, replacing the Bus and reassigned Cris Collinsworth with former Steeler Tony Dungy and former Steeler nemesis Rodney Harrison. Said NBC sports chairman Dick Ebersol:

"Over the past few years, I've enjoyed getting to know Tony through numerous production meetings and his work on our Super Bowl coverage and have been impressed by the way he handled himself not only as a coach and communicator, but more so as a human being. What I learned is that in addition to his obvious Super Bowl credentials, Tony is a gifted storyteller."

Whatever. NBC had too many talking heads on the set battling for face time, and they still have too many. Apparently a number of people thought Bettis didn't have enough to say in his role, but if controversy is what you want, I don't think Tony Dungy is the solution.

NBC replaces Bettis as analyst [PG]

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BETTIS DONE AT NBC?

First, NBC lost the guy who drove around the country in a bus. Now, it appears that they're going to part ways with the Bus himself.

As per Newsday's Neil Best, Bettis' contract with NBC is not likely to be renewed following his third season with the network. Best tosses around the possibility of NBC bringing in Brett Favre, but I'm not buying that until an entire regular season goes by with Favre sitting on the sidelines.

While Bettis has a likable persona, some have speculated that he's been a bit of a letdown in television broadcasting. Personally, I think it's hard for anybody to stand out in the battle for face time that is football on NBC, so if this partnership ultimately doesn't work out for The Bus, I'm sure he can park at a different network with little effort.

Jerome Bettis Reportedly Out At NBC [Awful Announcing]
Jerome Bettis appears to be on his way out at NBC [Watchdog]

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EVERYONE WATCHED PENS-FLYERS

The never-ending debate of the NBC vs. the Mellon Arena outdoor big-screen had some more fuel added to the fire with a report that Sunday's Pens-Flyers game had a 1.7, NBC's highest hockey ratings since the Winter Classic on New Year's Day. This was up 70% over NBC's Caps-Flyers matchup in the same slot last year, proving once again that Alex Ovechkin truly is hockey's top draw. Or not.

Yesterday's Pens game had an "18.6/33" rating in Pittsburgh, which I'm told equates to one in three households watching it. Maybe this boost in hockey ratings can help NBC offset the $45 million they claim they lost in broadcasting Super Bowl 43?

BREAKING: Pens-Flyers Rematch Scores NBC Highest Ratings Since Winter Classic [Puck the Media]

NBC Claims $45 Million Loss From Super Bowl XLIII [SPORTSbyBROOKS]

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