Curling Night in America is an American television program broadcasting a made-for-television curling tournament called the U.S. Curling Grand Prix. The first season aired originally on Universal Sports, starting on January 22, 2015. It has since run for five additional seasons, from 2016 to 2020, on NBCSN.
Each season covers a made-for-television tournament, called the U.S. Curling Grand Prix, where the United States and three other countries compete for the American Cup. The Grand Prix tournament is a double round-robin tournament, with each team playing every other team in their division twice. The country with the best overall record at the end of the tournament wins the American Cup. In the first season there were two divisions, men's and women's, with one team from each country in each division.[1] In following seasons mixed doubles was added as a third division,[2] thus three teams from each country for a total of twelve teams across all countries and divisions. Each episode shows one game including a team from the United States, along with highlights and score updates from the other games that occurred at the same time.
Productionedit
The show is recorded in front of a live audience but broadcast at a later date. Originally the United States Curling Association published the results of the tournament in real-time but changed to keeping them secret until broadcast due to feedback.[3] The first three seasons were filmed at curling clubs in Minnesota. The fourth season was the first to take place out of Minnesota and the first to take place out of a curling club; it was held at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Nebraska. This is the same venue that held the 2017 United States Olympic Curling Trials only a few months later.[3] The fifth season returned to Minnesota, held at Chaska Curling Center.[4] The sixth season was the first to take place out of the Midwest, held at an arena in Raleigh, North Carolina. In the fall of 2019 it was announced the seventh season would be filmed at the Great Park Ice arena in Irvine, California, in August 2020.[5] The arena is also scheduled to serve as the venue for the 2021 United States Mixed Doubles Curling Olympic Trials.
All curlers competing in the televised game have microphones, allowing the audience to listen in on strategy discussions and player reactions to shots.[6]
The inaugural U.S. Curling Grand Prix, filmed December 4 to 6, 2014 at Fours Seasons Curling Club in Blaine, Minnesota.[1] Was aired on Universal Sports Network and NBCSN. Commentary provided by Jason Knapp, Pete Fenson, and Tracy Wilson. At the end of the tournament China won the inaugural American Cup, finishing first in both the men's and women's divisions.[12]
The Japanese men defeated the United States, 10–6. Colin Hufman played lead for the United States instead of Ryan Brunt.[12]
Season 2edit
Filmed December 3 to 5, 2015 at Curl Mesabi in Eveleth, Minnesota. Commentary provided by Jason Knapp, Pete Fenson, and Tanith White. At the end of the tournament China and the United States were tied for first in the overall standings with eleven points each, with Scotland finishing third and Japan fourth. A draw to the button tiebreaker was conducted to determine the overall winner, with the men's skips from China and the United States, Zang Jialiang and John Shuster, each throwing one stone. Zang won the tiebreaker, earning the American Cup for Team China for the second consecutive year. In the individual discipline standings Scotland won in men's, United States won in mixed doubles, and China won in women's.[18]
Filmed December 1 to 3, 2016 at Duluth Curling Club in Duluth, Minnesota.[24] Jason Knapp, Pete Fenson, and Tanith White provided commentary.[7] The United States won the overall tournament, earning the American Cup for the first time.[25]
The Scottish men tied the United States 6–6, but then won the draw to the button tiebreaker.[25]
Season 4edit
Filmed August 24 to 26, 2017 at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Nebraska; a precursor to the arena holding the Olympic trials.[36] Commentary provided by Jason Knapp, Pete Fenson, and Trenni Kusnierek.[9] The United States won the overall tournament for the second year in a row. In the individual discipline standings Japan won the men's with a draw to the button tiebreaker over the United States, the United States won the women's with a tiebreaker over China, and the United States won in mixed doubles.[37]
Filmed August 27 to 29, 2018 at Chaska Curling Center in Chaska, Minnesota.[47] Commentary provided by Jason Knapp, Pete Fenson, and Tanith White.[10] United States represented by three out of five men's Olympic team members, four out of five women's Olympic team members, and the Olympic mixed doubles team of the Hamilton siblings. The United States won the American Cup for a third year in a row, only losing one game across the overall tournament.[48]
Filmed August 22 to 24, 2019 at Polar Iceplex in Raleigh, North Carolina.[53] Commentary provided by Jason Knapp, Pete Fenson, and Tanith White.[54] The United States won their fourth American Cup in a row, with Italy finishing second overall, Japan third, and Scotland fourth.[55]
^ abcd"NBC SPORTS GROUP AND UNIVERSAL SPORTS DEBUT "CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA" IN 2015". NBC Sports Group Press Box. January 5, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ ab"Curling Night in America – Mixed Doubles Teams". CurlingZone. December 3–5, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ abBeideck, Steve (August 26, 2017). "'Curling Night in America' wraps up taping, but results will have to wait". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
^Chhith, Alex (August 28, 2018). "The big sweep: Athletes face off in 'Curling Night in America'". Chaska Herald. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
^Martin, Brian (August 29, 2019). "Curling Night in America coming next year to Irvine". The Orange County Register. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^McCarthy, Michael (March 3, 2020). "NBC's Curling Coverage Focuses On Sound And Strategy To Grow Viewership". Front Office Sports. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^ abcde""CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA" RETURNS FOR THIRD SEASON ON NBCSN TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:30 P.M. ET". NBC Sports Group Press Box. January 18, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ ab"2016 Curling Night in America". Team USA. Archived from the original on September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ abc""CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA" RETURNS FOR FOURTH SEASON ON NBCSN TONIGHT FOLLOWING NHL COVERAGE". NBC Sports Group Press Box. October 10, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ abcde"FRIDAY NIGHT IS CURLING NIGHT – 2018 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JOHN SHUSTER HEADLINES FIFTH SEASON OF CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA ON NBCSN". NBC Sports Group Press Box. October 11, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ ab"Winter 2020 Broadcast Schedule". Team USA. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^ ab"Episode 6: U.S. vs Japan Men". Curling Night in America. Season 1. Episode 6. July 8, 2015. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 1: U.S. vs China Women". Curling Night in America. Season 1. Episode 1. July 8, 2015. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 2: U.S. vs New Zealand Men". Curling Night in America. Season 1. Episode 2. July 8, 2015. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 3: U.S. vs Japan Women". Curling Night in America. Season 1. Episode 3. July 8, 2015. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 4: U.S. vs China Men". Curling Night in America. Season 1. Episode 4. July 8, 2015. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 5: U.S. vs New Zealand Women". Curling Night in America. Season 1. Episode 5. July 8, 2015. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^ ab"Episode 9". Curling Night in America. Season 2. Episode 9. March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Men's Teams". CurlingZone. December 3–5, 2015. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ abc"Curling Night in America – Men's Scores". CurlingZone. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ abc"Curling Night in America – Mixed Doubles Scores". CurlingZone. December 3–5, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^"Episode 3". Curling Night in America. Season 2. Episode 3. January 30, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 6". Curling Night in America. Season 2. Episode 6. February 13, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Curling Night In America to return for third season". World Curling Federation. November 17, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^ ab"Episode 9: U.S. Men vs Scotland". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 9. March 19, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Men's Teams". CurlingZone. December 1–3, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Women's Teams". CurlingZone. December 1–3, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^"Episode 1: U.S. Men vs China". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 1. January 20, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 2: U.S. vs China Mixed Doubles". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 2. January 28, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 3: U.S. vs. Japan Women". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 3. February 4, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 4: U.S. vs. Scotland Women". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 4. February 23, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 5: U.S. vs. Japan Mixed Doubles". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 5. February 22, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 6: U.S. Men vs Japan". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 6. February 25, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 7: U.S. vs. China Women". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 7. March 3, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 8: U.S. vs. Scotland Mixed Doubles". Curling Night in America. Season 3. Episode 8. March 12, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America Coming to Baxter Arena". WOWT 6 News. August 23, 2017. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^ ab"Episode 8: U.S. Mixed Doubles vs. Scotland". Curling Night in America. Season 4. Episode 8. December 6, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Men's Teams". CurlingZone. August 24–26, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Women's Teams". CurlingZone. August 24–26, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^"Episode 1: U.S. vs Scotland Men". Curling Night in America. Season 4. Episode 1. October 17, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 2: U.S. vs Scotland Women". Curling Night in America. Season 4. Episode 2. October 18, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 3: U.S. Men vs China". Curling Night in America. Season 4. Episode 3. October 25, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 4: U.S. Women vs Japan". Curling Night in America. Season 4. Episode 4. November 1, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 5: U.S. Men vs Japan". Curling Night in America. Season 4. Episode 5. November 8, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 6: U.S. Women and Mixed Doubles". Curling Night in America. Season 4. Episode 6. November 22, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 7: U.S. Mixed Doubles vs. Japan". Curling Night in America. Season 4. Episode 7. November 29, 2017. NBCSN. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^Chhith, Alex (August 23, 2018). "'Curling Night in America' showcasing world's best right in Chaska". Southwest News Media. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^"Episode 9: USA v China". Curling Night in America. Season 5. Episode 9. December 16, 2018. NBCSN. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Mixed Doubles Teams". CurlingZone. August 27–29, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ abc"Curling Night in America – Men's Scores". CurlingZone. August 27–29, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ abc"Curling Night in America – Mixed Doubles Scores". CurlingZone. August 27–29, 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ abc"Curling Night in America – Women's Scores". CurlingZone. August 27–29, 2018. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^Dunleavy, Mary (August 20, 2019). "Curling Night in America set to take place in Raleigh". WRAL Sports Fan. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^"FRIDAY NIGHT IS CURLING NIGHT – TEAM USA OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST JOHN SHUSTER HEADLINES SIXTH SEASON OF CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA ON NBCSN". NBC Sports Group Press Box. January 10, 2020. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
^ ab"Episode 9: USA v ITA (Men)". Curling Night in America. Season 6. Episode 9. July 23, 2020. NBCSN. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Men's Teams". CurlingZone. August 22–24, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Women's Teams". CurlingZone. August 22–24, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^"Curling Night in America – Mixed Doubles Teams". CurlingZone. August 22–24, 2019. Retrieved September 15, 2020.
^ ab"Curling Night in America – Men's Scores". CurlingZone. August 22–24, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^ ab"Curling Night in America – Mixed Doubles Scores". CurlingZone. August 22–24, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^ abc"Curling Night in America – Women's Scores". CurlingZone. August 22–24, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
^"Episode 9: USA v SCO (Mixed Doubles)". Curling Night in America. Season 6. Episode 8. July 23, 2020. NBCSN. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
^"GREAT PARK ICE AND FIVEPOINT ARENA IS THRILLED TO HOST THE 2021 CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA!". Great Park Ice. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
^ abc"PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES SET FOR "CURLING NIGHT IN AMERICA"". USA Curling. August 16, 2021. Retrieved August 23, 2021.