Tuesday was an early Christmas for your humble blogger. Thanks to some Black Friday sales, I’ve been setting up a new iPad and a new laptop computer, so the posts were rather slim on Tuesday. To make up for that minimal posting, I’ll write some sports media thoughts and unlike the last sports media thoughts post where I expanded on things, I’ll do some quick hits. As usual, they come to you in bullet form.
- CBS Sports Radio appears to be on its way to providing a full 24 hour weekday schedule when it launches on January 2. I’m happy to see that former ESPN’er Dana Jacobsen will be part of the morning drive show along with Brandon Tierney and Tiki Barber. I’m not sure if Tiki will be able to provide much based on his past performance on NBC, but with Tierney and Jacobsen doing most of the heavy lifting, the show could be successful. I’m looking forward to hearing the first few weeks.
- On Tuesday, the rumors of Fox Sports potentially purchasing regional sports network Sports Time Ohio surfaced once again. Since last year, there have been rumblings that STO would be bought out by Fox. STO currently owns the TV rights to the Cleveland MLB team, but hasn’t been able to expand upon that portfolio. Ohio Media Watch’s Twitter account was burning up with speculation on STO. Should this come to fruition, this could be the third MLB team that Fox Sports could secure after the New York Yankees last week and reportedly the Los Angeles Dodgers which could close this week. We’ll keep you posted on this story.
- Still wondering when DirecTV will begin carrying Pac-12 Network and Comcast SportsNet Houston. Thus far, the satellite provider has remained stubborn in its refusal to pick up either channel. While DirecTV felt the pressure to pick up Time Warner Cable SportsNet for Los Angeles Lakers games, it appears to be in no hurry to carry Pac-12 Network or CSN Houston despite fan complaints. In these disputes, the fans are always caught in the middle.
- MLB Network’s Hot Stove new morning show format is a welcome addition to sports television. Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds are good as co-hosts. Neither have worn suits and ties as MLB Network tries to be less formal with the show. Alana Rizzo has been good as the update anchor. Having insider Ken Rosenthal on the show is a nice touch. And during Thanksgiving Week, it was good to see Keith Olbermann co-hosting the show with fellow former ESPN’er Brian Kenny. Here’s hoping that MLB Network could make this a permanent addition during the MLB season, perhaps under a different name.
- After ESPN saw the ratings for Notre Dame-USC on Saturday, you knew network executives were chomping at the bit thinking about the potential ratings for the BCS Championship Game. As Notre Dame will face the winner of the SEC, the numbers for the college football championship come January will be huge. Then again, I’m probably telling you something you already know.
Ok, I’ll end it there. Time to finish things for the night.
