A few links for you this afternoon.
First, Phil Swann of the TV Predictions website reports that DirecTV has finally added the NHL Network in both High and Standard Definition as of today. It’s located at channel 215 if you’re wondering. Dish Network has added NBA TV in HD.
Nice to have Jim Williams of the DC/Baltimore Examiner back with us. He writes in his Watch This! blog that Baltimore is heavily into the NBA even though the Bullets left town in the 1970’s.
Brian Schmitz and Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel write that Bright House Cable still hasn’t come to an agreement with FSN Florida and tonight’s Magic season opener won’t be seen by its subscribers.
Bob Finnan of the News-Herald of Ohio writes that Austin Carr will work 70 Cleveland Cavs games on FSN Ohio.
David Goetzl of the Media Daily News says ESPN will webcast its NBA games.
Tim Lemke of the Washington Times writes that the NBA and Turner appear to be close to an agreement to have TNT run NBA TV and in turn get wider distribution through Time Warner Cable.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell is also blogging again. He says it appears Taco Bell really did promote this taco giveaway. Remember when Terrell Owens used a Sharpie to sign a football after he scored a touchdown on Monday Night Football? Well, Darren found out that same Sharpie is being auctioned off.
Boston Sports Media Watch guest blogger David Vidinha writes that Gregg Easterbrook was on WEEI this morning with Dennis & Callahan. Easterbrook, in his twisted logic, Easterbrook tried to explain what he was thinking when he wrote his column in which he felt the NFL was hiding something when it destroyed the Patriots’ spy tapes. You can listen for yourself here:
WEEI – Dennis and Callahan – Gregg Easterbrook
David Sweet of MSNBC writes about the challenges facing the Big Ten Network as it tries to get viewers. Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch is tired of the dueling ads by BTN and Comcast. Doug Lesmerises of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that Big Ten Network officials say they have ended talks with Time Warner Cable. Nathan Greenhalgh of the Reedsburgh (WI) Times Press writes that bowing to its customers’ wishes, the Reedsburgh Utility Commission has added BTN to its lineup. The Houston Chronicle picks up an AP story in which the Wisconsin state legislature is considering a bill which make BTN and the NFL Network available on cable in the Dairy State. Jeff Richgels and Judith Davidoff from the Capital (WI) Times write that even if the bill is passed, politicians can’t force a channel onto a cable lineup. In the meantime, Todd Spangler of the Multichannel News reports that Turner Sports’ webcasting division will show 9 Big Ten basketball games online.
Ed Sherman of the Chicago Tribune writes that Comcast seems to be adding costs, but not any channels of consequence including the Big Ten Network. Sherman also writes that the new deal between the Chicago Bulls and radio station WMVP is a win-win for both sides.
John Moritz of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that a Texas state legislator plans to get involved in the NFL Network-Time Warner/Charter dispute and give the state’s public regulatory commission more power if the issue doesn’t get resolved.
John Consoli of Mediaweek writes that Fox has sold 90% of its ad inventory for Super Bowl XLII.
Dave Del Grande of the Oakland Tribune writes that the numbers CBS cited in the ratings for the Patriots-Cowboys game should not have included markets that did not get the game.
Nick Groke of the Denver Post says the Monday Night Football game between Green Bay and Denver did very well in the local ratings.
Michael David Smith of the AOL Fanhouse blog says that one CBS affiliate in College Station, TX is trying to find a way to show the Patriots-Colts game to viewers even though it’s scheduled to show Texans-Raiders, but the NFL appears to be cracking down.
Rob Moseley of the Register Guard in Oregon writes that with FSN invoking its rights to air the Arizona State-Oregon game live, the Oregon State Network is left to scramble to find a partner to show the game as well. With FSN, OSN and ESPN all showing this game, I’m surprised the Pac 10 just didn’t pick one outlet so there would not be any confusion.
ESPN2 will pick up the Hawaii-Fresno State game this Saturday.
Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon will be on Late Night with David Letterman tonight. We’ll see if he does his jig.
Citing numbers that can probably be refuted, CBS says it’s the most watched network for the NFL.
This is like a megalink Friday where we have links all over the place. We had lots of them both this morning and this afternoon. Check back tonight as we may have another update.
