A few links for you this afternoon before I head out for the day.
Phil Swann of TV Predictions says DirecTV picked up two more FSN regional sports channels in HD as of today.
Neil Best of Newsday blogs about the problems between Stephen A. Smith and his former employer, the Philadephia Inquirer. And Best says St. John’s has signed a contract with WFAN and WBBR to carry its basketball games.
Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek reports that MLB playoff games steered TBS to the top of the cable primetime ratings for the week ending October 14.
Fox finished second last night in the overnight network ratings and first in the 18-49 demographic thanks to Game 4 of the ALCS between the Red Sox and Indians.
CBS Sports says the Patriots-Cowboys game on Sunday was seen by 29.1 million viewers.
ESPN tells us its networks will carry 150 Women’s College Basketball games.
Alex Weprin of Broadcasting & Cable magazine reports that ESPN Deportes will air 60 Winter League Baseball games from Venezuela, Mexico and the Dominican Republic starting tomorrow.
Jon Lafayette of TV Week says ESPN will be part of Nielsen’s program to measure the interaction of digital platforms and regular TV viewing.
FoxSports.com gleefully picks up the story that ESPN has banned ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel from Monday Night Football, as first reported by Richard Sandomir of the New York Times.
Chuck Landon of the Charleston (WV) Daily Mail writes that Marshall University is concerned about a small crowd for Sunday’s game against Southern Mississippi which will be aired on ESPN.
Two things from the Washington Post. First, Barry Svrluga in his Nationals blog points out that even though the team has renewed its radio deal with Bonneville Broadcasting, new deals with the radio or TV announcers have yet to be announced. And Leonard Shapiro writes while it’s admirable that ESPN premiered its E:60 newsmagazine last night, will the network to be willing to do hard reporting on events it airs like The Masters or The Breeders’ Cup? Very good question. Only time will tell.
That’s it for now. I may have an update later tonight. Check back when you can.
