NBCUniversal celebrates 'NFL Kickoff 2014'

NBCUniversal gets "Back to Football" and will surround its coverage of "NFL Kickoff 2014" with a diverse collection of assets participating in NBC Sports' "Big Event Strategy," including sports, news and entertainment properties.

"NFL Kickoff" on NBC this Thursday features Russell Wilson and the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks hosting Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers at CenturyLink Field, in Seattle. A pre-game concert will feature performances by Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer and "The Voice" judge, Pharrell Williams, as well as Seattle-natives and Grammy Award-winning band Soundgarden from a specially constructed stage outside of CenturyLink Field. Select portions of the concert will air on NBC. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m.

"Sunday Night Football," the No. 1 primetime show on television, kicks off this week when Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos host Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts from Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. with "Football Night in America," the most-watched studio show in sports.

The "Sunday Night Football" broadcast team consists of Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya.

Below is a summary of the NBCU properties that are supporting "NFL Kickoff 2014":

•Golf Channel: "Morning Drive" will once again preview kickoff and the premiere of "Sunday Night Football."

•NBCSN: "Pro Football Talk," hosted by Mike Florio and Paul Burmeister, and "Fantasy Football Live," hosted by Dave Briggs, will preview the season.

•NBC Sports Regional Networks: NBC Sports Group's 11 regional networks will feature "NFL Kickoff 2014" preview pieces.

•NBC Sports Radio: NBC Sports Radio will surround the 2014 NFL season with daily coverage on 439 radio affiliates, highlighted by "McNabb and Malone," an all-sports show that leverages the unique perspective of two former NFL quarterbacks, and "Safety Blitz" with Rodney Harrison; featuring three-time All Pro and two-time Super Bowl-winner Harrison.

•"Today": "Today' will present an interview this Friday with Carrie Underwood, who on Sunday returns after making her debut last season with the 2014 edition of "Waiting All Day for Sunday Night," opening theme for "Sunday Night Football." "Today" will be on-site at CenturyLink Field on Thursday to contribute live segments. "Today" also will be on location in Denver this Friday. Kathie Lee and Hoda host a "Who Knew" NFL trivia segment with "Football Night in America" reporter Carolyn Manno, and promote kickoff with NFL giveaways.

•"America's Got Talent": The show will feature "NFL Kickoff 2014" related content.

•"Nightly News with Brian Williams": The show will feature an "NFL Kickoff 2014" segment Thursday.

•CNBC: Throughout CNBC's "Business Day" programming on Thursday, CNBC's Julia Boorstin will interview representatives from the NFL, Microsoft and Twitter about the league's new "NFL Now" app and new on-field technology.

•The Weather Channel: "Wake Up with Al" will update fans on the conditions in Seattle on game day for "NFL Kickoff," as well as in Denver for "Sunday Night Football." "AMHQ with Sam Champion" will have Reese Waters reporting live from Seattle's CenturyLink Field on game day.

•Telemundo: Telemundo celebrates the return of the NFL season with "NFL Kickoff," a special preview show that airs Saturday at 4:30 p.m.

•Universal Park & Resort: Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles and Universal Orlando Resort will help promote NBC's coverage of "NFL Kickoff 2014" by featuring NBC Sports-produced trailers and videos on CityWalk's big outdoor screens along with kickoff signage on print billboards throughout the theme parks.