We have some late news for you. Let’s provide a few links.
First, it appears that a Comcast purchase of NBC is getting closer. Tim Arango and Bill Carter of the New York Times report that General Electric has come to an agreement on a purchase price of the 20% of NBC Universal that is owned by Vivendi. This was the main sticking point for Comcast to buy a majority stake in NBCU. Now that this hurdle has for the most part been cleared, this paves the road for Comcast to buy into NBCU. There are regulatory hurdles for Comcast, but for all intents and purposes, the path is clear for NBCU to be sold.
Also from the Times, Richard Sandomir writes that our long national nightmare is over. Chip Caray will part ways with Turner Sports. He will no longer call the Atlanta Braves for Peachtree TV and it also means he won’t be calling MLB games on TBS including the postseason. Caray had come under controversy for miscalling plays and for his constant “FISTED” references.
Alex Weprin of Broadcasting & Cable also writes about Caray’s departure from TBS.
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says in essence, Caray was given the boot by Turner Sports.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News certainly isn’t sad to see Caray go.
This means there won’t be someone from the Caray family calling games on TBS for the first time since 1976 when the station was known was WTCG.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that ESPN The Magazine’s The Body issue was a financial success.
Sean Leahy of USA Today’s The Huddle blog noticed that Patriots coach Bill Belichick interrupted Suzy Kolber’s interview of Saints QB Drew Brees after New Orleans win over New England on Monday Night Football.
Matthew J. Darnell of Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner blog lists his 10 biggest professional football flops of the last ten years and they include two sports media issues.
The Albany Times Union’s Pete Dougherty says to no one’s surprise, the NFL kept Eagles-Giants in primetime for Week 14.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News writes that Texas-Texas A&M scored for ESPN on Thanksgiving night.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle has some local ratings news in regards to football.
John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Bengals continue to garner high ratings.
Jeff Korbelik and Ken Hambleton of the Lincoln (NE) Journal Star write that a local sports talk show was taken off the air on Monday with no advanced warning.
Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star has some additional thoughts on TSN’s coverage of the Grey Cup that didn’t make it into his Monday column.
William Houston of the Truth & Rumours blog says TSN set a viewership record for the Grey Cup.
Joe Favorito gives praise to the Canadian Football League for staying true to its brand.
Chris Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media says the Sports Information Director of Idaho State apparently scooped the world on the Charlie Weis story.
From the Sports Media Watch, we learn that CBS fared well for Florida State-Florida on Saturday.
SMW says Black Friday college football scored for CBS, but not for ABC.
The SMW notes that the last game for Charlie Weis as coach of Notre Dame gave ABC its highest college football ratings in a month.
SMW says both CBS and Fox did well on their Thanksgiving Day NFL games.
Steelers-Ravens scored for NBC.
SMW says Brett Favre drew good ratings for Fox in the late afternoon slot on Sunday.
But SMW notes that CBS saw a ratings drop for its regional NFL coverage.
SMW has some ratings news and notes.
Lastly from the SMW which was quite busy on Monday, disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy will be interviewed Sunday on 60 Minutes.
EPL Talk says ESPN is heavily promoting this Friday’s World Cup draw and what will be known as the Group of Death.
Ok, it’s late or very early depending on your point of view. Time for me to sleep and I’ll be back with you later for the viewing picks and even more linkage.
