Let’s do some linkage on this Tuesday. Don’t know if I can get everything done today as I’ll be all over the place later today so I don’t know if this will be a complete set of links or an abbreviated edition. Time to get started.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today has the ratings from various events over the weekend.
Stuart Levine at Variety has Fox Sports Vice Chair Ed Goren hoping for an extended World Series. Thanks to Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser for the link.
Let the media vultures swarm over the World Series now. Georg Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter has the angle that this year’s Fall Classic could be the lowest rated ever.
Milton Kent of Fanhouse confirms what I reported two weekends ago, that Fox is now using its football theme as the official music of Fox Sports.
I’ll say this. The World Series always finishes 1 or 2 in primetime programming every year. It’ll win most of the nights it’s on. It does well in the 18-49 demo. While the ratings may fluctuate from year-to-year depending on the matchup, the World Series does get people to watch. It may not be NFL numbers, but what does? The NFL is rare programming that is communal and brings people together to watch. If you look on Twitter and Facebook, people constantly talk about the NFL when the games are on.
The same goes for the World Series, but not in the same manner of the NFL. The NBA doesn’t have that same appeal as the NFL, the only other sports that can do this are the Olympics and the World Cup and they’re not on every week like the NFL. And people are forgetting that with Dallas and San Francisco involved, these are Top 10 markets. Many of the so-called “experts” who are saying that this year’s World Series will be low-rated are on the East Coast. I have a feeling this World Series will do better than some are saying. I’m getting off my soapbox now.
Jon Lafayette of Broadcasting & Cable writes that there are only two spots left to be sold for Super Bowl XLV on Fox.
John Eggerton of Multichannel News says Fox is defending itself to the FCC in its dispute with Cablevision.
John has Cablevision’s side of the argument.
Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine looks at tonight’s TNT NBA season opener.
The Smoking Gun has obtained the tape of the prank call made by an online vandalism group to ESPNU’s Elizabeth Moreau. Thanks to Barry Rothbard of SportsGrid for the link.
Some sad news, BBC News reports that Paul the Octopus, the cephalopod that became famous for correctly predicting eight World Cup matches including Spain’s win in the final, has died. I’m actually saddened by this. I actually liked the little fella. Actually, he wasn’t so little, but you get the idea. The Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen, Germany where Paul was housed has a statement.
Phil Swann at TV Predictions says it’s unlikely the Feds will get involved in the Cablevision/Fox fight.
Phil says Cablevision is reportedly telling subscribers to watch Fox off an supposedly illegal website.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell likes the new Nike LeBron James ad, but wonders if it will help sell shoes?
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says the very first rules of basketball, written by sport creator Dr. James Naismith, will be sold at auction in December.
Newsday’s Neil Best says TNT’s Charles Barkley is already in midseason form.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News goes after the NFL for selling violence, while trying to crack down at the same time.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union is another East Coast critic who wonders if the World Series is doomed for ratings disaster.
Pete notes that Time Warner Cable subscribers can now access ESPN and ESPN3 online.
Pete has the entire national NBA television schedule for 2010-11.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that Fox and ESPN Radio are set to air the World Series.
Jim says TNT and ESPN Radio will be all over NBA Opening Night.
The Orlando Business Journal notes that the Magic will broadcast a handful of games in Spanish.
Julie McGowan of the Daily Oklahoman writes that Oklahoma Baptist University will be teaching a course on the inner workings of ESPN and Google.
John Kiesewetter at the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Bengals matched their season ratings average on Sunday.
Michael Rothstein of AnnArbor.com writes that a University of Michigan wide receiver will be profiled on this week’s College Gameday about his Twitter use.
Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune writes that a member of the Ricketts family which owns the Cubs taped an episode of Undercover Boss that will air in November.
Chadd Cripe of the Idaho Statesman notes that Boise State’s move to the Mountain West next year will curtail its appearances on ESPN.
Jimmy Bramlett in the LAist reviews tonight’s 30 for 30 documentary on former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela.
Ferd Lewis of the Honolulu Advertiser says ESPN needs Boise State to sign off on its intentions to air the November 6th game with Hawaii.
Sports Media Watch says Fox saw a big increase for its Week 7 NFL regional coverage.
SMW also has some ratings news and notes.
I’ll end it there. I have to get ready to leave the office. I’ll be back later with more.
