The PBA on Wednesday announced a big chunk of its TV schedule for the 2012-13 season.
The winter and spring segments will feature 16 telecasts, including 11 two-hour shows, live coverage of two of the major championships, and the first round of the new “PBA League” team competition, according to this news release.
More events, including the 70th U.S. Open, will be announced later, PBA said.
The first show will be the World Bowling Tour Finals on Sunday, Dec. 9 at noon Central time on ESPN.
The schedule includes six telecasts taped at the PBA World Series of Bowling IV in Las Vegas, culminating in the taped PBA World Championship finals Jan. 13, and five PBA League telecasts, including live coverage of the first PBA League event on Sunday, Jan. 27 from suburban Detroit, PBA said.
Bowlers Journal International last month had an interesting interview with PBA CEO Geoff Reiss focused on the team concept. (I would post a link to the BJI story but I can't find it on the magazine's website.)
Jim Goodwin reported in his Stars & Strikes publication that there will be eight 5-player teams drafted from PBA membership by eight “franchise” players chosen from last year’s point list: Sean Rash, Jason Belmonte, Mike Fagan, Pete Weber, Osku Palermaa, Norm Duke, Bill O’Neill, and Chris Barnes.
I have to imagine that the draft will draw a lot of interest, and I would bet that Xtra Frame will broadcast it.
The live major shows will be the USBC Masters Feb. 24 and the PBA Tournament of Champions on March 31.
While everyone obviously would love to have every event live, the additional time is a welcome step up from last season.
PBA also said it will webcast more than 200 hours of live action from PBA Tour events on Xtra Frame.
The full ESPN schedule is at the bottom of this blog.
PBA previously announced that the eliminator format was being dumped this year in favor of a return to stepladder finals — a welcome move to most bowling fans.
And it announced that Lon McEachern would join Randy Pedersen in the booth.
PBA separately announced this week that former Miss USA Kimberly Pressler will return as sideline announcer for the World Series of Bowling and Chris Paul event.
“I’m so excited; I’m honored to be coming back,” Pressler said in this PBA news release. “I love being part of the PBA family. It’s wonderful to be part of such a monumental event, with bowlers coming from around the world. Where else do you have people coming from so many countries for an event like this?
“The thing that really struck me when I did the World Series in 2010 is that there is a lot of technique and hard work and practice that is needed to get to this level. It’s amazing, too, that there is so much camaraderie among the players. It’s such a great family atmosphere and it’s such an amazing group of athletes putting on a great show. I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
Pressler’s PBA work in 2010 generally got good reviews.
2012-13 PBA-ESPN TELEVISION SCHEDULE
(Times are Eastern; shows are two hours unless noted)
Sunday, Dec. 9, 1 p.m. – WTBA Bayer Advanced Aspirin World Bowling Tour Finals presented by PBA, PBA World Series of Bowling IV, South Point Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.
Sunday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m. – Alka Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine Cheetah Championship, WSOB IV, South Point Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas (90 minutes).
Sunday, Dec. 23, 1 p.m. – PBA Viper Championship, WSOB IV, South Point Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas (90 minutes).
Sunday, Dec. 30, 1 p.m. – PBA Chameleon Championship, WSOB IV, South Point Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas (90 minutes).
Sunday, Jan. 6, 1 p.m. – PBA Scorpion Championship, WSOB IV, South Point Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas (90 minutes).
Sunday, Jan. 13, 1 p.m. – PBA World Championship, WSOB IV, South Point Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas (90 minutes).
Sunday, Jan. 20, 3 p.m. – Round 1 Japan Cup, Tokyo, Japan.
Sunday, Jan. 27, Noon – PBA League Round 1, Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich.
Sunday, Feb. 3, 4 p.m. – Chris Paul PBA League All Stars, Lucky Strike LA Live, Los Angeles.
Sunday, Feb. 10, 3 p.m. – PBA League Round 2 with Carmen Salvino Classic finals, Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich.
Sunday, Feb. 17, 3 p.m. - PBA League Round 3 with Mark Roth Classic finals, Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich.
Sunday, Feb. 24, 3 p.m. - United States Bowling Congress Masters, Brunswick Zone Carolier, N. Brunswick, N.J.
Sunday, March 3, 3 p.m. – PBA League Round 4 with Don Carter Classic finals, Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich.
Sunday, March 24, 1 p.m. – PBA League Round 5 with Earl Anthony PBA Players Championship finals, Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen Park, Mich.
Sunday, March 31, 2:30 p.m. – PBA Tournament of Champions, Woodland Bowl, Indianapolis.
Sunday, April 7, 1 p.m. – PBA League Elias Cup finals, Woodland Bowl, Indianapolis.
