I have no idea where to begin. It’s another one of those crazy nights where I can really start anywhere and it would be the right lead. I’m staring at my Firefox web browser and I have 10 tabs open. That’s TEN tabs with three potential lead stories.
I guess I’ll go with what has been breaking since about 5 p.m. today when NFL public relations guru Brian McCarthy Tweeted that the NFL Network was staying on Comcast systems past a May 1 deadline.
At the same time, a joint statement from Comcast and NFL Network was released stating that the two sides were talking on a carriage agreement. Since then, we’ve been in a holding pattern, but it is encouraging that Comcast and the NFL are talking, but it’s also sad that it took a potential removal of the channel from Comcast’s sports tiers to get the two sides to renew discussions.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes it appears the two sides are getting close to a long-term agreement. If that is the case, then it could pave the way for other big cable providers to come to terms with NFL Network.
Deborah Yao of the Associated Press says Comcast has agreed to carry NFL Network past the May 1 deadline for the time being.
John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable reports the two sides are saying the talks are productive.
Tim Lemke of the Washington Times says Comcast and NFL Network will maintain peace for now.
Last June, Comcast made an agreement with Big Ten Network, ending a one year dispute and paving the way for other big cable companies such as Time Warner, Mediacom and Cox Communications.
So if NFL Network is able to shake hands with Comcast, other providers will most likely follow suit. We’ll continue to monitor.
We go from Comcast/NFL Network to the bloodletting at the Baltimore Sun. Over 60 reporters, editors, graphic artists and other staff were fired Wednesday. Many of the firings were in the sports department which included two reporters and a photographer at Wednesday’s Anaheim Angels-Orioles game.
David Ettlin of The Real Muck blog says all told, 61 fine people at the Sun were fired and were given just 15 minutes to pack up their belongings.
The firings included Ray Frager who has become a favorite read of mine since I re-started Fang’s Bites in 2007. Ray said farewell to his readers today.
The excellent DCRTV.com which monitors radio, TV and newspaper dealings in the Baltimore-DC area has been keeping track of the entire situation and says many of the fired Sun staffers may be hired by an expanded Washington Post which could start up a suburban Maryland edition now.
Dave Hughes who heads up DCRTV, wrote an article for Baltimore’s Press Box site goes over the cuts in the Sun’s sports department.
Newsday’s Neil Best says Sports Illustrated’s Selena Roberts talked with the Dan Patrick radio show today regarding her new book on Alex Rodriguez.
UPDATE: 9:02 a.m. – I fell asleep in the middle of this, but I do want to get these up. I’ll have more stuff coming up.
