Longhorn Network
Dec
09
College Basketball Viewing Picks For 12/10 & 12/11/2011, All Times Eastern
Schedule courtesy Matt’s College Sports
Saturday, December 10
noon
Bryant at Providence — Big East Network/Cox Sports RI
Howard at Georgetown — Big East Network
Duke vs. Washington at New York, NY — CBS
12:30 p.m.
Cincinnati at Xavier — ESPN2
2 p.m.
Chicago State at DePaul — Big East Network
UNLV at Wisconsin — Big Ten Network
BYU at Utah — Fox Sports Net (national)
Troy at Mississippi State — Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports Prime Ticket/Fox Sports Southwest/SportSouth
Loyola (MD) at Mount St. Mary’s — MASN/YES
2:30 p.m.
Oklahoma vs. Pittsburgh at New York, NY — ESPN2
3:15 p.m.
Ohio State at Kansas — ESPN
4 p.m.
Farleigh Dickinson at Louisville — Big East Network
Eastern Michigan at Purdue — Big Ten Network
Michigan vs. Oakland at Auburn Hills, MI — Fox College Sports Atlantic
Clemson at Arizona — Fox Sports Net (national)
Harvard at Boston University — NESN
5 p.m.
Villanova at Temple — ESPN2
5:15 p.m.
Kentucky at Indiana — ESPN
7 p.m.
George Washington at Syracuse — Big East Network
Western Kentucky at IUPUI — Fox College Sports Atlantic
Penn at UCLA — Fox College Sports Pacific
8 p.m.
Texas State at Texas — Longhorn Network
Nebraska at TCU — the mtn.
9 p.m.
Wisconsin-Green Bay at Marquette — Big East Network
Michigan State at Gonzaga — ESPN2
Sunday, December 11
11 a.m.
women’s: Maggie Dixon Classic, New York, NY
Baylor vs. St. John’s — ESPNU
1 p.m.
UNC-Greensboro at Florida State — Fox Sports Net (regional)
1:30 p.m.
women’s: Maggie Dixon Classic, New York, NY
DePaul vs. Tennessee — ESPNU
2 p.m.
Florida A&M at South Florida — Big East Network
3 p.m.
NC Central at NC State — Fox Sports Net (regional)
women’s: Texas A&M at TCU — CBS Sports Network
5 p.m.
Stony Brook at Boston College — Fox Sports Net (regional)
6 p.m.
Detroit at Alabama — ESPNU
8 p.m.
Coppin State at Illinois — ESPNU
Nov
25
Some Black Friday Sports Media Links
I hope you survived the Black Friday experience if you went out today. If you decided to shop online, better to do that than wait outside in the cold especially in the Northeast where the temperatures dropped below freezing overnight. No fun.
Anyway, I’ll provide the links. The Weekend Viewing Picks are here.
To the linkage.
National
At USA Today, Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy debate whether it’s appropriate to mention religion and faith in sports television.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that HBO will give viewers a 12 minute sneak peek on its new NHL-themed 24/7 series tonight.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has the picture of Thanksgiving Day in which a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader got the start of her 15 minutes.
Tom Lorenzo at SportsGrid has a funny vidcap of a kid fast asleep during the Miami-Dallas game. Too much turkey, I guess.
Joe Favorito says hockey hopes to fill a void left by the NBA.
Sports Media Watch has the ratings for all NASCAR Sprint Cup races this season.
SMW notes that ESPN’s Monday Night Football saw a ratings increase for Chiefs-Pats.
SMW says NBC’s Sunday Night Football suffered a rare ratings and viewership drop in Week 11.
And SMW writes that last week’s Thursday Night Football gave NFL Network some early Thanksgiving treats.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the ratings of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada to date.
The Awful Announcing staff lists the announcers it’s thankful for.
Overseas, BBC Sport, once a UK powerhouse, is now cutting back and it’s only doing half a schedule of one of its signature sports, Formula 1. It explains how it’s covering Formula 1 in 2012.
Owen Gibson of the London (UK) Guardian says BBC has won back the rights to the IAAF World Athletic Championships, an event it lost for the first time this year.
Jackie Pepper writes about a Kansas City Royals MLB.com beat reporter who received a life-saving transplant and then went to cover every single game this past season.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes that NBC is looking to carve out a Thanksgiving niche for the NHL with a new Black Friday game.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post actually gives praise today! Stop the presses!
Justin Terranova of the Post has 5 questions for Sirius XM college football analyst Eddie George.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says ex-coaches don’t always make for the best broadcasters.
David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun thoroughly enjoyed NFL Network’s coverage of last night’s 49ers-Ravens game.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with an NHL official about its new “Thanksgiving Showdown”.
South
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle waxes poetic about losing the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry.
Chris Baldwin at CultureMap Houston says ESPN reminded Texas A&M fans why the school’s rivalry with Texas is ending when it promoted the Longhorn Network.
Midwest
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that Ndamukong Suh’s stomp on Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith got plenty of play on Fox yesterday.
Paul Christian of the Rochester Post (MN) Bulletin also writes about the TV reaction to Suh’s stomp.
Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says embattled Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin might be returning next season after all despite two arrests for DWI.
West
The Salt Lake Tribune’s Brian T. Smith says the Utah Jazz’s glory days can be seen on TV as fill for the NBA Lockout.
John Maffei at the North County Times reports that the San Diego Padres still have yet to sign a TV deal for next season.
Jim Carlisle in the Ventura County Star notes that LSU is playing another big game today on CBS.
Bill Shaikin from the Los Angeles Times says Fox is asking a judge for the Dodgers to throw in the parking lots in the team’s sale price rather than try to boost it and block its bid for the team’s media rights.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks at some of the most dubious moments in sports media this year.
Joshua Myers of the Seattle Times notes that NBC is tapping Sounders voice Arlo White to be its MLS announcer.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says a new TSN documentary on the 20th anniversary of the Argonauts winning the CFL Grey Cup shows how far the team has sunk.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog goes inside the numbers of TSN’s coverage of this Sunday’s Grey Cup.
Nov
14
ESPN Fam of Networks College Football Schedule For Week 12
We’re getting close to the end of the college football regular season. After this weekend, there’s the traditional Thanksgiving rivalry games, then the conference championship games and finally, the Army-Navy game before heading into the inexorable Bowl season in December. Anyway, Saturday Night Football on ABC will have a split national broadcast between Oklahoma and Baylor and USC at Oregon. Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Erin Andrews will be in the Great Northwest to cover Trojans-Ducks. It’ll be the second straight Pac-12 game for the crew.
ESPN will carry the Oklahoma State-Iowa State game on Friday and the first-ever Nebraska-Michigan Big Ten Conference game will be aired on ESPN, Saturday at noon ET.
The entire schedule is below.
College Football: Coverage Involving All Top Five Teams & Eight of Top Nine in Action on ESPN Networks
ESPN’s college football schedule this week includes telecasts involving the top five teams, eight of the top nine and 17 ranked teams overall. Highlights:
- Two of the top five as part of an ABC Saturday Night Football split-national broadcast November 19 at 8 p.m.: No. 5 Oklahoma at No. 22 Baylor and USC at No. 4 Oregon.
- Unbeaten No. 1 LSU at Mississippi on ESPN on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m.
- A Friday night Big 12 showdown pitting undefeated No. 2 Oklahoma State at Iowa State on ESPN2 on November 18 at 8 p.m.
- No. 3 Alabama hosting Georgia Southern on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. on ESPN3.
- No. 16 Nebraska at No. 18 Michigan in a Big Ten showdown Saturday, Nov. 19, at noon on ESPN.
Date Time (ET) Game Network Wed, Nov 16 8 p.m. Ohio at Bowling Green
Dave Lamont & Ray BentleyESPN/ESPN3 Western Michigan at Miami (Ohio)
Mike Morgan & Charles ArbuckleESPN2/ESPN3 Thu, Nov 17 8 p.m. North Carolina at No. 8 Virginia Tech
Rece Davis, Craig James, Jesse Palmer & Jenn BrownESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D Fri, Nov 18 8 p.m. No. 2 Oklahoma State at Iowa State
Joe Tessitore & Rod GilmoreESPN/ESPN3 Toledo at Central Michigan
Sam Gore & Tom LuginbillESPNU Sat, Nov 19 Noon No. 16 Nebraska at No. 18 Michigan
Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Urban Meyer & Quint KessenichESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio No. 17 Wisconsin at Illinois
Beth Mowins & Mike BellottiESPN2/ESPN3 Cincinnati at Rutgers
Mike Morgan & Danny KanellESPNU Kentucky at No. 14 Georgia
Dave Neal, Andre Ware & Cara CapuanoESPN3/SEC Network Louisville at Connecticut
Mike Gleason, John Congemi & Eamon McAnaneyESPN3/BIG EAST Network The Citadel at No. 12 South Carolina ESPN3 12:30 p.m. Georgia Tech at Duke ESPN3 1 p.m. Samford at No. 24 Auburn ESPN3 Furman at Florida ESPN3 Army at Temple ESPN3 2 p.m. Georgia Southern at No. 3 Alabama ESPN3 Minot State at Texas-San Antonio Longhorn Network 2:30 p.m. Florida A&M at Bethune-Cookman
Tom Werme & Jay WalkerESPN Classic / ESPN3 3 p.m. Maryland at Wake Forest ESPN3 3:30 p.m. No. 21 Penn State at Ohio State
Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly RoweABC/ESPN/ESPN3 No. 7 Clemson at NC State
Mike Patrick & Craig JamesABC/ESPN/ESPN3 Texas Tech at Missouri
Dave Lamont & Ray BentleyABC/ESPN3 Miami at South Florida
Pam Ward & Dan HawkinsESPNU 4 p.m. Navy at San Jose State ESPN3 5 p.m. Utah State at Idaho ESPN3 7 p.m. No. 1 LSU at Mississippi
Bob Wischusen & Bob DavieESPN/ESPN3 Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Clay Matvick, Brian Griese & Allison WilliamsESPNU/ESPN 3D Arkansas State at Middle Tennessee ESPN3 North Texas at Western Kentucky ESPN3 7:30 p.m. Virginia at No. 25 Florida State
Mark Jones & Ed CunninghamESPN2/ESPN3 8 p.m. USC at No. 4 Oregon
Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Erin AndrewsABC/ESPN3* No. 5 Oklahoma at No. 22 Baylor
Joe Tessitore, Matt Millen & Heather CoxABC/ESPN3*/ESPN Radio 10:15 p.m. California at No. 9 Stanford
Carter Blackburn & Brock HuardESPN/ESPN3 New Mexico State at BYU
Adam Amin & David Diaz-InfanteESPNU 11 p.m. Fresno State at Hawaii ESPN3 Tue, Nov 22 7 p.m. Miami (Ohio) at Ohio
Dave Lamont & Tim BrownESPN2/ESPN3 * Alternate game of ABC’s split national telecast available on ESPN3, WatchESPN.com and ESPN GamePlan
And College GameDay will be in Houston for the SMU-Houston game.
College GameDay to Make Another First-Time Visit; SMU at Houston
ESPN’s Emmy Award-winning College GameDay will originate from a new college campus for the second straight week – visiting the University of Houston, on Saturday, Nov. 19, in advance of the Conference USA matchup between No. 11 Houston and SMU. The GameDay set will be located on Cullen Circle on Houston’s campus. The weekly show airs at 9-10 a.m. on ESPNU and 10 a.m.-noon on ESPN.
Houston and SMU are each making their first appearance on College GameDay.
That will do it.
Oct
28
College Football Viewing Picks For Week 9, 10/29/2011, All Times Eastern
Schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports
College GameDay live from Los Angeles, CA — ESPNU, 9 a.m./ESPN, 10 a.m.
noon
Syracuse at Louisville — Big East Network
Northwestern at Indiana — Big Ten Network
Lehigh at Colgate — CBS Sports Network
James Madison at Old Dominion — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
URI at UNH — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic Plus/Comcast SportsNet New England
UAB at Marshall — CSS
Michigan State at Nebraska — ESPN
Purdue at Michigan — ESPN2
NC State at Florida State — ESPNU
Central Michigan at Akron — ESPN Plus
Missouri at Texas A&M — FX
Albany at Wagner — Fox College Sports Pacific
Arkansas at Vanderbilt — SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)
Yale at Columbia — YES
12:30 p.m.
Virginia Tech at Duke — ACC Network
2 p.m.
Georgia State at Texas-San Antonio — Longhorn Network
Air Force at New Mexico — the mtn.
3 p.m.
College Football Countdown — ABC
College Football Today — CBS
Washington State at Oregon — Fox Sports Net (national)
Boston College at Maryland — Fox Sports Net (regional)
3:30 p.m.
Baylor at Oklahoma State — ABC/ESPN2
Illinois at Penn State — ABC/ESPN2
West Virginia at Rutgers — ABC
Iowa at Minnesota — Big Ten Network
Georgia vs. Florida at Jacksonville, FL — CBS
Fordham at Army — CBS Sports Network
SMU at Tulsa — Fox Sports Net (regional)
Navy at Notre Dame — NBC
4 p.m.
Northern Iowa at North Dakota State — Fox College Sports Central
5 p.m.
Hawaii at Idaho — ESPN Plus
6 p.m.
Dartmouth at Harvard — Fox College Sports Atlantic
Colorado State at UNLV — the mtn.
6:30 p.m.
Colorado at Arizona State — Fox College Sports Pacific
7 p.m.
College Football Scoreboard — ESPN/ESPN2
Mississippi at Auburn — ESPNU
Iowa at Texas Tech — Fox Sports Net (national)
Mississippi State at Kentucky — Fox Sports Net (regional)
Kansas at Texas — Longhorn Network
7:15 p.m.
South Carolina at Tennessee — ESPN2
8 p.m.
ABC Coverage Map
Clemson at Georgia Tech — ABC
Stanford at USC — ABC
Southern Mississippi at UTEP — CBS Sports Network
Wisconsin at Ohio State — ESPN
Nevada at New Mexico State — WAC Sports Network
10 p.m.
Wyoming at San Diego State — the mtn.
10:30 pm.
Arizona at Washington — Fox Sports Net (national)
Oct
24
ESPN Family of Networks College Football Schedule For Week 9
Games are being played from Tuesday and the way through early Sunday morning on the ESPN family of networks. ESPN2 has a game on Tuesday, ESPN airs one game each from Wednesday through Friday. And of course, Saturday has a whole plethora of games.
Among the highlights on Saturday, Michigan State taking on Nebraska on ESPN at noon ET, Oklahoma at Kansas State on ESPN at 3:30 p.m. ET, Stanford at USC on ABC at 8 p.m. ET, and Wisconsin at Ohio State on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET.
We have your schedule in full and look below for the notice on where College GameDay will be on Saturday.
ESPN’s college football schedule for Saturday, Oct. 29 is highlighted by two showdowns between top 25 teams:
- No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 8 Kansas State at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN3
- No. 11 Michigan State at No. 14 Nebraska at noon on ESPN and ESPN3
Additional telecasts featuring top 10 teams include No. 3 Oklahoma State (against Baylor at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN3); No. 5 Clemson (at Georgia Tech at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN3); No. 6 Stanford (at USC at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN3) and No. 10 Arkansas (at Vanderbilt at noon on ESPN3).
The ABC Saturday Night Football split national broadcast at 8 p.m. (also available on ESPN3) will showcase top players: Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Andrew Luck will lead No. 6 Stanford against USC, led by its own dynamic quarterback in Matt Barkley and No. 5 Clemson, with quarterback Tajh Boyd, at Georgia Tech. In addition, ESPN will televise No. 15 Wisconsin, led by Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Russell Wilson, at Ohio State at 8 p.m.
Date Time (ET) Game Network Tue, Oct 25 8 p.m. Troy at Florida International
Dari Nowkhah & Danny KanellESPN2/ESPN3 Wed, Oct 26 8 p.m. Connecticut at Pittsburgh
Joe Tessitore, Mark May, Lou Holtz & Quint KessenichESPN/ESPN3 Thu, Oct 27 8 p.m. Virginia at Miami
Rece Davis, Craig James, Jesse Palmer & Jenn BrownESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D Fri, Oct 28 8 p.m. BYU vs. TCU (from Arlington, Texas)
Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Samantha SteeleESPN/ESPN3 Sat, Oct 29 Noon No. 11 Michigan State at No. 14 Nebraska
Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Urban Meyer & Quint KessenichESPN/ESPN3 Purdue at No. 18 Michigan
Beth Mowins, Mike Bellotti & Shelley SmithESPN2/ESPN3 NC State at Florida State
Rob Stone & Danny KanellESPNU Syracuse at Louisville
Mike Gleason, John Congemi & Eamon McAnaneyESPN3/BIG EAST Network No. 10 Arkansas at Vanderbilt
Dave Neal, Andre Ware & Cara CapuanoESPN3/SEC Network Central Michigan at Akron
Michael Reghi & Doug GarberESPN3 12:30 p.m. No. 12 Virginia Tech at Duke ESPN3 3 p.m. Boston College at Maryland ESPN3 3:30 p.m. Illinois at No. 19 Penn State
Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard & Lisa SaltersABC/ESPN2/ESPN3 Baylor at No. 3 Oklahoma State
Bob Wischusen, Bob Davie & Jeannine EdwardsABC/ESPN2/ESPN3 No. 25 West Virginia at Rutgers
Mark Neely & Ray BentleyABC/ESPN3 No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 8 Kansas State
Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather CoxESPN/ESPN3 Wake Forest at North Carolina
Pam Ward & Dan HawkinsESPNU No. 22 Georgia vs. Florida (from Jacksonville)
Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe SchadESPN Radio Buffalo at Miami (Ohio) ESPN3 5 p.m. Hawaii at Idaho
Trey Bender & Jay TaylorESPN3 7 p.m. Mississippi at No. 23 Auburn
Clay Matvick, Brian Griese & Allison WilliamsESPNU Mississippi State at Kentucky ESPN3 Kansas at No. 24 Texas
Dave Lamont, Tim Brown & Samantha SteeleLonghorn Network 7:15 p.m. No. 13 South Carolina at Tennessee
Mark Jones, Ed Cunningham & Jessica MendozaESPN2/ESPN3 7:30 p.m. Louisiana Lafayette at Middle Tennessee ESPN3 8 p.m. No. 6 Stanford at USC
Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Erin AndrewsABC and ESPN3 * No. 5 Clemson at Georgia Tech
Mike Patrick, Craig James & Jenn BrownABC and ESPN3 * No. 15 Wisconsin at Ohio State
Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly RoweESPN/ESPN3 Nevada at New Mexico State ESPN3 10:30 p.m. Alabama State at Alabama A&M
Adam Amin & Jay WalkerESPNU ** Tue, Nov 1 7 p.m. Northern Illinois at Toledo
TBDESPN2/ESPN3/ESPN 3D Wed, Nov 2 8 p.m. Temple at Ohio
Mark Neely & Ray BentleyESPN/ESPN3 * Alternate game of ABC’s split national telecast available on ESPN3, WatchESPN and ESPN GamePlan
** Same day delay, available live on ESPN3 at 3:30 p.m.
College GameDay is headed back to the West Coast on Saturday for the Stanford-USC game.
ESPN’s Emmy Award-winning College GameDay travels to Los Angeles, on Saturday, Oct. 29, in advance of the Pac-12 matchup of No. 6 Stanford at USC (8 p.m., ABC). USC will host College GameDay the eighth time, and the set will be located outside the Los Angeles Memorial Stadium. The weekly show airs at 9-10 a.m. on ESPNU and 10 a.m.-noon on ESPN.
And we’ll shut down the blog for the night.
Oct
06
ESPN Networks’ College Football Games For Week 6
I’m behind a day in posting press releases and I have quite a few to catch up on. This is one of them. And the main ESPN/ABC crew of Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Erin Andrews will be doing a noon game, the annual Red River Shootout between Texas and Oklahoma. I know the politically correct thing is to say “Rivalry”, but this isn’t a real shootout, so I think it’s ok to call it “Shootout”.
Sean McDonough, football charlatan Matt Millen and Heather Cox get the ABC primetime slot covering Ohio State at Nebraska marking the Cornhuskers first Big Ten home game.
And there are a whole slew of games on ESPN3.com if you want to watch the action online.
Here’s the schedule.
ESPN’s college football schedule this weekend is highlighted by two top 25 games, plus six teams in the Top 10 of the poll:
- No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Texas from the Cotton Bowl in Dallas (noon, ABC) and No. 15 Auburn at No. 10 Arkansas (7 p.m., ESPN/ESPN3) – both Saturday, Oct. 6
- No. 9 Oregon hosts California Thursday in the ESPN College Football Primetime game (9 p.m., ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D) and No. 5 Boise State travels to Fresno State Friday for the ESPN College Football Primetime game (9 p.m., ESPN/ESPN3)
- No. 2 Alabama hosts Vanderbilt in an SEC tilt Saturday (7 p.m., ESPNU)
In addition, a three-game split-national telecast Saturday, Oct. 8, at 3:30 p.m. on ABC and ESPN includes an ACC matchup with Miami (Fla.) at No. 21 Virginia Tech and Big Ten tilt of Iowa at Penn State. The third game on ABC will be a Big 12 contest between Missouri and No. 20 Kansas State (Big 12). All three games will be available on ESPN3.
Date Time (ET) Game Network Thu, Oct 6 7:30 p.m. Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee
Anish Shroff & Jay WalkerESPNU 9 p.m. California at No. 9 Oregon
Rece Davis, Craig James, Jesse Palmer & Jenn BrownESPN / ESPN3 / ESPN 3D Fri, Oct 7 9 p.m. No. 5 Boise State at Fresno State
Joe Tessitore & Rod GilmoreESPN / ESPN3 Sat, Oct 8 Noon No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 11 Texas (from Dallas)
Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Erin AndrewsABC Noon Minnesota at Purdue
Beth Mowins & Mike BellottiESPN / ESPN3 Noon Louisville at North Carolina
Bob Wischusen & Bob DavieESPN2 / ESPN3 Noon Maryland at No. 13 Georgia Tech
Rob Stone & Danny KanellESPNU Noon Connecticut at No. 16 West Virginia
Mike Gleason, John Congemi & Eamon McAnaneyESPN3 /
BIG EAST NetworkNoon Murray State at Georgia State ESPN3 Noon Kentucky at No. 18 South Carolina
Dave Neal, Andre Ware & Cara CapuanoESPN3 /SEC Network 12:30 p.m. No. 23 Florida State at Wake Forest ESPN3 1 p.m. Army at Miami (Ohio) ESPN3 2 p.m. Bowling Green at Western Michigan ESPN3 3 p.m. Sam Houston State at Stephen F. Austin ESPN3 3 p.m. North Dakota State at Southern Illinois ESPN3 3 p.m. Eastern Michigan at Toledo ESPN3 3 p.m. Chattanooga at Georgia Southern ESPN3 3:30 p.m. Miami (Fla.) at No. 21 Virginia Tech
Mike Patrick & Craig JamesABC / ESPN / ESPN3 Iowa at Penn State
Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman, Urban Meyer & Quint KessenichABC / ESPN / ESPN3 Missouri at No. 20 Kansas State
Carter Blackburn & Brock HuardABC / ESPN3 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Rutgers
Pam Ward & Dan HawkinsESPNU 3:30 p.m. Boston College at No. 8 Clemson ESPN3 3:30 p.m. Central Michigan at NC State
Dave Weekley & Rene IngogliaESPN3* 3:30 p.m. Gannon at California University (Pa.) ESPN3 3:30 p.m. Ohio at Buffalo ESPN3 4 p.m. UNLV at Nevada ESPN3 4 p.m. Liberty at Gardner-Webb ESPN3 5:30 p.m. South Alabama at Texas-San Antonio
Andrew Monaco & Ahmad BrooksLonghorn Network 7 p.m. No. 15 Auburn at No. 10 Arkansas
Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly RoweESPN / ESPN3 7 p.m. Georgia at Tennessee
Mark Jones, Ed Cunningham & Jeannine EdwardsESPN2 / ESPN3 7 p.m. Vanderbilt at No. 2 Alabama
Clay Matvick, Brian Griese & Allison WilliamsESPNU 7 p.m. Troy at Louisiana-Lafayette
Jim Barbar & Warrick DunnESPN3* 7:30 p.m. Florida Atlantic at North Texas ESPN3 8 p.m. Ohio State at No. 14 Nebraska
Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather CoxABC 9 p.m. Wyoming at Utah State ESPN3 10:15 p.m. San Jose State at BYU
Adam Amin & David Diaz-InfanteESPNU * – Exclusive to ESPN3
That’s going to do it.
Oct
06
Some Thursday Links
I was hoping today would be quiet, but instead, the Hank Williams, Jr. story is released and all hell breaks loose. What can you do?
Anyway, let’s do some links while I can. With Hank Williams, Jr. being the stop story, I’ll start with those links first.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch.
Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter
Andrea Morabito in Broadcasting & Cable/Multichannel News
Leah Goldman with the Business Insider’s Sports Page
The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir
The Los Angeles Daily News’ Tom Hoffarth
I think those are enough links on Hank Williams, Jr.
Now to the other sports media stories of the day.
Glenn Davis of SportsGrid says ESPN had Bobby Valentine and Herman Edwards get into an argument that made no sense.
Andrew Gauthier from Media Bistro’s TV Newser gets a video tour of the MLB Network studios. They’re nice.
Sports Video Group’s Ken Kerschbaumer remembers a legendary ABC Sports and Fox Sports director who passed away yesterday.
Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group writes about NHL Network getting a new master control area.
Bill Pennington of the New York Times profiles long-time Yankees radio voice John Sterling.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says Syracuse’s game against Tulane will be seen in the New York area this Saturday.
The St. Petersburg Times’ Eric Deggans notes the changes that Apple’s Steve Jobs made in TV viewing.
Chip Brown of OrangeBloods notes that the Longhorn Network will not air any high school highlights as part of a new agreement between Texas and the Big 12.
The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Kiesewetter remembers a local sportscaster who passed away today.
Craig Lyndall of Waiting For Next Year looks at the new Cleveland Cavs radio announcing team that will begin announcing the new season whenever the new season gets here.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that NBC’s Rodney Harrison is picking Green Bay to beat Atlanta on Sunday Night Football.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News takes a gander at the NFL TV ratings by market.
Tom has the college and pro football TV schedules for SoCal this weekend.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog has the Hockey Night in Canada regional splits for October.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog recaps some of the NHL TV partners offseason moves.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media has the viewership numbers for the NHL Opening Night numbers on US TV dating back to 2003.
Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page has the video of the Busch Stadium squirrel that wreaked havoc on yesterday’s Game 4 of the Phillies-Cardinals series. Of course, the squirrel now has its own Twitter account.
Joe Favorito says the lesson from Steve Jobs is never squash creativity.
And that’s where we’ll end it today.
Sep
26
Monday Linkage
Let’s do some links now. I have to write my recap of Blogs with Balls 4 while everything is still fresh in my mind. It really was a great event to attend and wonderful to meet so many good people. I hope to have the BwB recap up tonight.
Here are some links for you.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says Bill Parcells’ prediction on the Patriots-Bills game during ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown was off.
Ryan Chittum of the Columbia Journalism Review says ESPN has a massive conflict of interest with the Longhorn Network and conference realignment.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that NBC/Golf Channel will combine for extensive live and repackaged coverage of the Presidents Cup in November.
Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Journal reports that the NFL plans to continue playing regular season games in London.
The perpetually lovely Rachel Cohen of the Associated Press writes that some NFL coaches challenges sometimes aren’t made due to the lack of replays from the networks.
Andrew McCains at Adweek tells us that Mercedes-Benz won’t advertise in Super Bowl XLVI, but that doesn’t mean it’s giving up on the Big Game altogether.
Mark Walsh at MediaPost writes that Verizon’s NFL mobile app has grown by leaps and bounds from last year.
Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life Magazine says ad buyers know that NBC’s Sunday Night Football is a sure ratings winner.
Barry Janoff at The Big Lead writes that the US may submit a bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Robert Seidman of TVbytheNumbers has the ratings for MLB Network’s worst show by far, Intentional Talk.
The Sports Biz Miss, Kristi Dosh explains what Texas A&M stands to gain from its move to the SEC.
Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid has Red Sox pitcher John Lackey angry over a text from TMZ.com before he was about to pitch before yesterday’s game against the Yankees.
From Broadcast Engineering, Michael Grotticelli says ESPN’s new deal for Monday Night Football allows for 3-D productions.
Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner says NFL Network’s Deion Sanders is refuting reports that he’s divorcing his wife, Pilar over her reality show fame.
Over to Phil Mushnick of the New York Post where he wants networks to embarrass athletes when they showboat.
Laura Nachman has the winners of the Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards including those in the sports categories.
David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun feels NFL coaches don’t give CBS announcers much to go on in their pregame discussions.
From the DC Sports Bog in the Washington Post, Dan Steinberg writes that DC NFL team QB Rex Grossman doesn’t seem to pay attention to the sports media.
Brendan Brown of the Martinsburg (WV) Journal writes that West Virginia showed off its best features on ESPN’s College GameDay.
Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times goes over the weekend that was in sports television.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that Joe Buck’s voice while better, is still not all the way back yet.
Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post says Broncos fans wanted to talk about Tim Tebow after yesterday’s loss to Tennessee.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has your sports calendar for this week.
Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star looks at the media coverage of last week’s racist banana tossing incident involving Wayne Simmonds and Hazel Mae’s return to Canada.
The Toronto Globe and Mail has Canadian Press video of CBC’s Battle of the Blades cast remembering the late Wade Belak.
Bruce Dowbiggin from the Globe and Mail feels the NHL grew by leaps and bounds with Brendan Shanahan using video to explain disciplinary action by the league.
Joe Favorito explains why Blogs with Balls is important not just for bloggers, but for sports leagues.
The Days of Y’Orr blog busts Captain Blowhard for his lack of hockey knowledge. Again.
Ryan Durling of BostInnovation says Captain Blowhard got Twitter bombed.
And we’ll end the posts there for today. Keep it here for various updates throughout the day.
Sep
23
Friday Megalinks Or The Return of Linkage
Due to being at jobsites for the last few days, I haven’t been able post links like I’ve wanted to. I apologize for that. I have tried to be diligent in updating as much as I can.
I have quite a bit to catch up with. I may be a blogging machine as I have to post a lot of things today. Plus, I to get ready to head to New York tomorrow for Blogs with Balls 4 so I’m going to be quite busy. Let’s get to the linkage.
But first, there’s always the Weekend Viewing Picks for your sports and entertainment planning.
National
John Ourand at Sports Business Journal writes that ESPN will do everything it can to head off NBC/Versus at the pass.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch asks if sports broadcasting and politics should mix?
Jeff Latzke of the Associated Press says the Big 12′s TV contracts helped to keep the conference together for now.
The Nielsen Ratings Wire blog notes that among various TV programming, sports in primetime continues to do well.
USA Today’s Mike McCarthy talks with CBS/WFAN/Westwood One’s Boomer Esiason on how the NFL should investigate the Dallas Cowboys’ medical staff for clearing Tony Romo to play last Sunday.
Mike says ESPN is denying any responsibility for the recent college football chaos and says the Longhorn Network doesn’t have anything to do with it. I think Texas A&M, Missouri and other Big 12 schools would beg to differ.
Bob Velin of USA Today writes that CBS’ 48 Hours Mystery program will investigate the mysterious and unsettling death of boxer Arturo Gatti.
Mike McCarthy and Michael Hiestand of USA Today debate whether schools or TV wield the power in college sports.
John Taylor of College Football Talk writes that Brett Favre gets his first taste of being an analyst next week for CSS.
John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable reports that the FCC has ruled that Cablevision-owned MSG Network cannot withhold its HD signal to other cable providers violating program-access rules.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that YES received its second highest rating ever for the American League East Division clinching game this week.
Mike says Golf Channel and NBC Sports are teaming up for a promotion to give a lucky viewer of “The Big Break” a chance to win a trip to see Notre Dame play in Ireland next year.
Tim Nudd of Adweek says the NFL has pulled an ad for its fantasy football product which used a picture of Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles after he was injured last week.
David Lieberman of Deadline reports that Time Warner Cable is planning to offer a low cost tier that will not include ESPN in the lineup.
Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has the video of ESPN sideline reporter Jenn Brown calling Cincinnati football coach Butch Jones something else.
Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has the sixth and perhaps final installment of New Era’s Yankees-Red Sox Alec Baldwin-John Kraskinski ads. They have been quite good. This latest one may have taken it a bit too far.
Also from SportsGrid, Dan Fogarty reviews the ESPN Films documentary “Catching Hell”, on Steve Bartman and the 2003 Chicago Cubs.
Sports Media Watch talks with the crew of ESPN’s College GameDay.
SMW says despite being on tape delay, Fox drew a decent audience for its first English Premier League game on Sunday.
SMW notes that the ratings for CBS’ 2nd game of its NFL doubleheader dropped from last year.
SMW says the NBA lockout has forced the cancellation of the start of training camp and over 40 preseason games.
And SMW has some various ratings news and notes.
Joe Favorito looks at one imaginative marketing campaign that helped Eye Black this week.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell reviews “Moneyball.”
Darren has some interesting facts on sports participation in America.
Karen Hogan of Sports Video Group looks at how CBS Sports Network was able to bring the Tim Brando Show into a TV simulcast from his base in Shreveport, LA.
Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has this week’s network TV on-screen typos.
Ben Koo from AA says tomorrow is when Gus Johnson and FX get their real grand opening in college football.
At The Stir, Maressa Brown feels ESPN’s Erin Andrews is unqualified to demonstrate CrossFit.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes that WEEI’s Glenn Ordway has suffered a rather severe pay cut due to lower ratings for his afternoon drive show.
At SBNation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch looks at a busy week in local sports media news.
Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette writes that Dale Arnold is pleased to be back with NESN after leaving in 2007.
Lang Whitaker and Ian Lovett of the New York Times give us an inside look at DirecTV’s Red Zone Channel and NFL Network’s RedZone.
John Jeansonne of Newsday reviews ESPN Films’ documentary on transgendered tennis player Renee Richards.
Newsday’s Neil Best says fans seem to be buying into the New York Islanders’ future.
Claire Atkinson of the New York Post has news that some Time Warner Cable subscribers have been waiting for, that the company appears to be close to a carriage agreement with NFL Network.
Phil Mushnick at the Post can’t stand ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
Justin Terranova of the Post says last month’s Russian plane crash that killed 44 members of the KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl really hit home for MSG Network analyst Joe Micheletti.
And Justin has five questions for Joe.
Lou Lumenick of the Post says “Moneyball” is one of the best baseball movies of all-time.
I’ll break my self-imposed embargo on the New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman for a week for this story on the Yankees’ radio rights which are in flux and so are the fates of broadcasters John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that MSG Network has named Steve Cangialosi to replace Mike “Doc” Emrick on New Jersey Devils games.
And Pete talks with Steve about his new gig.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette is not a fan of a new local sports talk show host.
Ken notes that NBC Sports is extending its “Summer at Saratoga” series for at least two more years.
At Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has announced its Capitals and Wizards schedules.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the college football conference merry-go-round could have some legal ramifications.
Jim says the ratings for the NFL in both Baltimore and Washington were very strong.
South
In the Miami Herald, Joseph Goodman notes the irony of ESPN possibly saving college football from massive chaos.
Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel catches up with ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer.
Jeff Sentell of the Birmingham (AL) News says ESPN is not ponying up to air high school games from the region.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes that an Astros broadcaster is celebrating 25 years with the club.
David asks readers if they find the idea of the Longhorn Network offensive.
Mel Bracht at the Daily Oklahoman says an Oklahoma State wide receiver will be profiled on ESPN’s College GameDay.
Midwest
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Cleveland MLB team radio voice Mike Hegan is leaving he broadcast after this season.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Reds voice Marty Brennaman can’t campaign on-air for his former partner Joe Nuxhall for the Baseball Hall of Fame Ford C. Frick Award.
Micahel Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press wonders why the DirecTV/NBC series “Friday Night Lights” didn’t do better in the ratings.
Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says actor Brad Pitt saw “Moneyball” as a compelling story.
Bob says the Green Bay Packers will be showcased aplenty in the late afternoon window on both CBS and Fox this season.
Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship failed to draw viewers away from the NFL on Sunday.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times talks with WMAQ-TV sports anchor Paula Ferris.
Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch wonders why Cardinals TV voice Dan McLaughlin has been missing of late.
Kevin Haskin of the Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal writes that CBS Sports Network was in town to air an NCAA Division II football game this week.
West
Jay Posner from the San Diego Union-Tribune says Big Ten Network won’t allow the local Cox system to pick up Saturday’s San Diego State-Michigan game on a one-time only basis.
The North County Times’ John Maffei writes that unless fans can find a sports bar, they’ll have to listen to San Diego State on the radio.
Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says it’s too bad Southern California couldn’t see the end of the exciting Oakland-Buffalo game due to silly NFL rules.
Jim says HBO will replay last Saturday’s controversial Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz fight.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says a bankruptcy court has given the Dodgers permission to change their flagship radio station for next season.
Tom says the NFL secondary market rule needs to be changed.
Tom also has a few notes that he couldn’t get into his Friday column.
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News looks at the Pac-12′s decision to stand pat, TV’s role in the whole thing and where BYU may be headed.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that CBC’s P.J. Stock is regretting his initial comments on Wade Belak’s death.
The Toronto Sports Media Blog is not so fast to forgive P.J.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that CBC has made some additions to its Hockey Night in Canada crew.
And there you have it for your links today.
Sep
23
College Football Viewing Picks For 09/24/11, All Times Eastern
Schedule courtesy of Matt’s College Sports
College GameDay live from Morgantown, WV — ESPNU, 9 a.m./ESPN, 10 a.m.
noon
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh — ABC
Toledo at Syracuse — Big East Network
Big Ten Network Gamefinder
Louisiana-Monroe at Iowa — Big Ten Network
San Diego State at Michigan — Big Ten Network
North Carolina at Georgia Tech — ESPN
Eastern Michigan at Penn State — ESPN2
Central Michigan at Michigan State — ESPNU
SMU at Memphis — Fox Sports Net (national)
Georgia at Mississippi — SEC Network (12:21 p.m. kickoff)
Cornell at Yale — Versus
12:30 p.m.
Temple at Maryland — ACC Network
2 p.m.
Bacone at Texas-San Antontio — Longhorn Network
Tennessee State at Air Force — the mtn.
3 p.m.
College Football Today — CBS
3:30 p.m.
ABC/ESPN2 Coverage Map
Colorado at Ohio State — ABC/ESPN2
Oklahoma State at Texas A&M — ABC/ESPN2
Big Ten Network GameFinder
South Dakota at Wisconsin — Big Ten Network
Western Michigan at Illinois — Big Ten Network
Arkansas at Alabama — CBS
Virginia Tech at Marshall — CBS Sports Network
UNH at Richmond — Comcast SportsNet New England/The Comcast Network
Florida State at Clemson — ESPN/ESPN 3D
UCLA at Oregon State — Fox College Sports Pacific
Cal at Washington — Fox Sports Net (national)
Southern Mississippi at Virginia — Fox Sports Net (regional)
Southern vs. Florida A&M at Atlanta — Versus
5 p.m.
Fresno State at Idaho — WAC Sports Network
6 p.m.
UConn at Buffalo — ESPN Plus
Idaho State at Northern Arizona — Fox College Sports Pacific
7 p.m.
North Dakota State at Minnesota — Big Ten Network
James Madison at William & Mary — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic/Comcast SportsNet New England
Florida at Kentucky — ESPN
Vanderbilt at South Carolina — ESPN2
Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State — ESPNU
Rice at Baylor — Fox College Sports Atlantic
Nevada at Texas Tech — Fox College Sports Central
Florida Atlantic at Auburn — Fox Sports Net (regional)
7:30 p.m.
Nebraska at Wyoming — Versus
8 p.m.
LSU at West Virginia — ABC
Tulsa at Boise State — CBS Sports Network
Georgia State at Houston — CSS/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic Plus
Missouri at Oklahoma — FX
9 p.m.
Southern Utah at UNLV — the mtn.
10:15 p.m.
USC at Arizona State — ESPN
Oregon at Arizona — ESPN2
Sep
16
Friday Megalinks Just For You
Let’s do some linkage.
The Weekend Viewing Picks give you everything to you need for your viewing pleasure.
Let’s do this.
National
Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes that primetime is the right time for college football.
Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Daily reports that ESPN has sold out its ad inventory for its new NASCAR non-stop initiative which will allow fans to see continuous race action while commercials run.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says NFL Network used some creative methods in Boston to promote its Bill Belichick documentary.
If you watched the Belichick documentary, then you probably know about the best scene which was the coach yelling at the Baltimore Ravens’ Derrick Mason who was trash talking. Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid has the video.
Brandon Costa from Sports Video Group notes that Sports Illustrated has released a new Football Rivals mobile app.
Sports Media Watch says ABC is doing well with college football in its first two weeks of the season.
SMW notes that last Saturday’s Notre Dame-Michigan game on ESPN in primetime did better than the previous week’s Fighting Irish game on NBC.
SMW says last week’s NASCAR race in Richmond garnered a four year ratings high for ABC.
Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page says sports bars got hit the hardest by DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket technical difficulties last week.
Steve Lepore from Puck The Media has NHL Network’s preseason schedule that begins next week.
Joe Favorito says sports brands are now jumping into the corn field maze craze.
Awful Announcing has this week’s network TV on-screen typos.
Parade talks with ESPN’s Erin Andrews.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn from the Boston Globe writes about some ex-Patriots players who have made the transition to TV.
Jessica Heslam of the Boston Herald talks about 98.5 The Sports Hub winning the prestigious Marconi for Best Sports Station in the country over a former winner, WEEI.
Bill Doyle at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette praises the NFL Films documentary on Bill Belichick.
The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir looks at a rare film that followed the late Yankees announcer Phil Rizzuto and other ex-Pinstripers to Austria for an exhibition game in 1994.
Daniel E. Slotnick of the Times writes that former New York Jet and broadcaster Sam DeLuca has passed away.
Newsday’s Neil Best talks with statistician Steve Hirdt about his career and getting to work a “home” game for this week’s edition of Monday Night Football.
Neil says SNY is fortunate to have the Jets as a partner to help viewers forget about the Mets.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is angry at everyone.
The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for YES analyst Ken Singleton.
Jerry Barmash in Fishbowl NY writes that MSG Network brings back its signature hockey studio show for another season.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that local sports anchor Andrew Catalon gets a call-up to the NFL on CBS in October.
Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record talks with MLB Network’s Brian Kenny about why he left ESPN after almost a decade and a half.
Ken has more with Brian Kenny in his column.
Ken is tired of NHL Network rerunning last season’s playoffs.
South
Serena Moyle of the Tallahassee (FL) Democrat profiles ESPN’s Erin Andrews as she’s in town for the Oklahoma-Florida State game.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says you watched the NFL in droves last week.
David says ESPN is treating Longhorn Network differently than its other entities.
Mel Bracht from the Daily Oklahoman writes that Longhorn Network will pick up one Oklahoma State basketball game.
Mel has some news and notes.
Gina Mizell of the Oklahoman says ESPN is keeping a close eye on Oklahoma State and Texas A&M for a potential College GameDay visit.
Midwest
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that Fox Sports Ohio expands its pregame show tomorrow to air highlights of Johnny Bench Night.
John says a local radio station has fired a long-time sports reporter and other parts of its staff.
Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with a long-time Division II college football radio voice.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says some local Time Warner Cable subscribers will have access to this Saturday’s Wisconsin game.
Bob explains why the Wisconsin game isn’t on TV.
Bob says the Brewers’ Prince Fielder will be seen in a profile on TBS Sunday.
Ed Sherman at Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers in sports business and media.
Dan Caesar in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says all of the Blues games will be televised for the first time ever.
West
Jay Drew of the Salt Lake Tribune writes that ESPN’s deal with BYU has now become a recruiting tool for the school.
Matt Solinsky of the Desert (CA) Sun says the NFL Network documentary on Patriots coach Bill Belichick is definitely “must see TV”.
John Maffei from the North County Times tries to discover what the holdup is for the San Diego Padres’ TV and radio rights.
Jim Carlisle at the Ventura County Star says Time Warner Cable has signed a long-term deal for California’s high school championships.
Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times talks with the Fox NFL Sunday crew.
T.J. Simers of the Times writes that Vin Scully can cause trouble at home.
Also from the Times, Eric Sondheimer has details of the Time Warner deal with the California Interscholastic Federation.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says Jay “The Rat” Mariotti is determined to get the last word on his tumultuous year.
Tom has some media moves that didn’t make his column.
Tom says MLB Network will air a special on statistics.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says an 8 year delay will help Steve Moore in his lawsuit against Todd Bertuzzi and the NHL stemming from an incident in Vancouver.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada has finally made some moves to fill some personnel holes.
And that’s going to conclude the links for this Friday.
Sep
15
A Few More Thursday Links
Let’s give you a few more links on this late Thursday.
Alex Ben Block of the Hollywood Reporter talks with Fox Sports El Jefe del Mundo David Hill about the Los Angeles Dodgers ownership saga and NFL TV coverage.
The Associated Press looks at some changes coming for the Coaches vs. Cancer college basketball classic including a new TV home.
Sam Mamudi of Marketwatch.com says Fox is hoping for decent ratings for its English Premier League schedule which starts this Sunday.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis calls being miked up for tonight’s NFL Turning Point on Versus, “X-rated.”
Cameron Kittle of the Nashua (NH) Telegraph profiles a Granite State company that provides production TV trucks for networks all over the country.
Daniela Forte of the Litchfield County (CT) Times says ESPN and Cablevision have teamed up for a new educational initiative in one Constitution State town.
Justin Terranova of the New York Post has a few thoughts on three sports media stories.
Dustin Long of the Virginian-Pilot says ESPN’s deal to put NASCAR races on its WatchESPN app lasts through the 2014 Sprint Cup season.
Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times writes that CBS CEO Les Moonves expects to pay more for the NFL in its next contract, but not at the rate that ESPN paid for Monday Night Football.
Bill Dwyre of the Times blames the Longhorn Network for breaking up the Big 12.
Tom Couzens in the Sacramento Bee wonders if increased rights fee will make ESPN a pay cable channel.
Tony Manfred of the Business Insider Sports Page says DirecTV is refunding all NFL Sunday Ticket customers for major problems with its mobile and TV services.
Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth says ESPN’s personalities are making news instead of reporting it.
And that will conclude our linkage.
Sep
11
Some Sunday Linkage
I wasn’t able to link yesterday due to some personal commitments. I’ll be doing some today.
Mike McCarthy of USA Today says ESPN yanked teams with anti-Semitic names from its fantasy football leagues.
Daniel Riley of GQ speaks with the best baseball announcer of all-time, Vin Scully about his greatest calls.
John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable notes that the American Cable Association is blasting ESPN for its huge rights contract for Monday Night Football.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that NBC and Universal Sports have begun to air coverage of the Rugby World Cup.
Mike writes that YES Network is coming in to air Fox NFL Sunday for Fox in New York for one week only.
Eric Deggans from the St. Petersburg Times writes in the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center that fans will be footing the bill for the NFL’s recent megadeal with ESPN.
Brandon Costa at Sports Video Group says NFL Films will have a nationwide tribute to 9/11 before all games today.
Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid notes that TNT’s Charles Barkley wasn’t quite himself doing an interview on ESPN yesterday.
Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has the audio of Yankees broadcaster John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman using a cell phone to broadcast a game last week.
Former CNN correspondent Kelly Wallace, now of iVillage, speaks with NBC Sunday Night Football sideline reporter Michele Tafoya about balancing motherhood with her job.
Rob Neyer at SBNation wonders if MASN handled Orioles analyst Mike Flanagan’s death properly.
Ian R. Rapoport of the Boston Herald has a look at the NFL Films documentary on Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
Newsday’s Neil Best talks with some of New York’s sports figures who remember 9/11.
Claire Atkinson of the New York Post reports that some cable providers are unhappy over ESPN’s megadeal for Monday Night Football and may fight back.
Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says the local CBS affiliate will be throwing Monday’s U.S. Open men’s final to another station.
John Brennan of the Bergen (NJ) Record writes that several NHL promos for the league’s TV partners are being shot in Newark, NJ.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says a rainout prevented a local minor league baseball announcer from making a signature call.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with NBC/Versus’ programming chief about its new lineup.
Mike Madden of the Washington City Paper says DC NFL team Daniel Snyder has dropped his SLAPP lawsuit against the publication. If you’re wondering what a SLAPP lawsuit is, go here.
Lauren Bailey of the Charlotte Observer profiles an Emmy-award producer who has helped to shape the way ESPN does its features.
Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times has your NFL Viewing Guide for this season.
Norm Sanders of the Belleville (IL) News-Democrat remembers a local man who worked behind the scenes for both CBS and Fox Sports.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the NFL Films documentary on Patriots coach Bill Belichick lifts the curtain on some of his mysterious persona.
Dan Caesar in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals’ ratings are down compared to last year.
Dr. Michael Chung writes in the Kansas City Star that based on its TV ratings, baseball might be in trouble.
Jason Franchuk of the Provo (UT) Daily Herald compares how the Longhorn Network shapes up against BYUtv.
Marcus Vanderberg of Fishbowl LA says Kings on-air personality Heidi Androl won’t be returning to her duties with Fox Sports West this season.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog notes that CTV and CBC will team up for the Canada’s Olympic Broadcasting Consortium’s bid for the 2014/16 Games. Rather shocking. That would be like NBC and CBS teaming up for a joint Olympic bid here.
And the CSM writes that former Hockey Night in Canada insider Scott Morrison has joined his on-air partner Jeff Marek at Rogers Sportsnet. In fact, Morrison now becomes Marek’s boss.
Sports Media Watch looks at the ratings for the NFL regular season opener on NBC.
SMW says ESPN’s college football Labor Day game did not do well in the ratings.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says the New Jersey Devils have chosen the man to replace Mike Emrick as lead play-by-play voice.
And that is going to be it. The Sunday NFL pregame quotage is in so I’ll be posting that in the next hour.
Sep
05
Handing Out Some Labor Day Sports Media Links
A nice day here in Southern New England and I’m at home watching some good sports action as we have afternoon MLB games, the U.S. Open, a little CFL and some college football later. A good sports day for the Labor Day holiday. Before I do the links, let’s go into one of the stranger nights on sports television on Sunday.
Last night, ESPN got stuck with two weather delays for two events, in college football at the Marshall at West Virginia game and at NASCAR in Atlanta. ESPN handled both situations as best as it could, first updating viewers on lighting approaching Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, WV. As players were hustled off the field before 6 p.m., ESPN threw to its studio with Ryan Burr and Robert Smith who deftly filled the time with highlights and comments.
Then as the NASCAR window approached, Burr threw it to Atlanta and the NASCAR Countdown crew led by Nicole Briscoe. The prerace program went as scheduled for the half-hour and at 7 p.m. when the race coverage was supposed to begin, ESPN updated viewers on the rain from Tropical Storm Lee that hit Atlanta and was wreaking havoc. However, ESPN said that it was hoped that the race would begin “within the hour.”
It was during this time ESPN kept switching back and forth between Atlanta and the ESPN studios in Bristol, CT to fill time. Then at 8:50 p.m., ESPN went back to Morgantown for the game. While ESPN did not inform viewers publicly, it was learned via Twitter that the game would be switched to ESPNU if NASCAR started and we also learned via Twitter that NASCAR was hoping to get the race started at 10:30 p.m.
ESPN was balancing between the two venues hoping that it would not have to bump one event for the other. And at 9:05 p.m., ESPN got another jolt when authorities pulled Marshall and West Virginia for another lightning delay. Ryan Burr and Robert Smith were back to quickly throw things back to Atlanta where Nicole Briscoe relayed to viewers of the 10:30 p.m. start time and it was when we began seeing shots of the track dryers going around the Atlanta Speedway circuit.
During the delay, ESPN went back to Morgantown for an update on the weather from its announcing team, Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore and sideline reporter Quint Kessenich. It was during this update that ESPN showed a lightning strike at 6:02 p.m. that looked like it struck the stadium. Kessenich reported that the strike hit the stadium and a fan in the upper deck and from the screengrab, it certainly looks like it did. However, scuttlebutt was surfacing that there were no independent news on the strike.
And later, West Virginia State Police denied that no fan had been hit and the lightning strike was close to the stadium, but did not hit it. In addition, West Virginia University Media Relations published its own statement on the story. So where did Kessenich get his information and as Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand correctly asked, why didn’t ESPN issue a correction on the story? ESPN certainly had plenty of chances to correct it.
At 10 p.m., ESPN had Robert Flores and Stuart Scott start SportsCenter early. It went right to Atlanta where NASCAR race caller Allen Bestwick interviewed NASCAR President Mike Helton who announced that with the rains from Tropical Storm Lee, it was impossible to restart the race Sunday and as rains would continue into Monday, the race would be rescheduled to 11 a.m. Tuesday.
A quick toss back to SportsCenter and then, at 10:24, ESPN thew it back to Morgantown where it was announced the game was going to be called with West Virginia leading Marshall 34-13. Again, the lightning strike from 6:02 p.m. was shown. After 11 p.m., the strike was not referenced and the report of the fan was not raised again. So why didn’t ESPN retract or correct it? No word from the network on this. However, it’s a situation where a story is front of them and they didn’t get it right. And there was no correction. ESPN has to do a better job.
And as I watched the 2 p.m. SportsCenter on ESPNews, the network has chosen to ignore its erroneous report on the lightning strike rather than issue a correction.
Now to the links.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says despite being dropped by Verizon FiOS, Tennis Channel is talking with the cable provider to return to the lineup.
The Associated Press reports that Missouri is the next Big 12 school to announce its own digital network joining Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas State.
Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has the video of Rafael Nadal cramping up during his U.S. Open press briefing yesterday.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid wonders why a mascot is being taken off the court on a stretcher during the EuroBasket Championships.
Timothy Burke at his Mocksession site shows an unfortunate ESPN crowd cutaway during yesterday’s Marshall-West Virginia game.
Joe Favorito asks smaller universities if it’s worth the payday to go to a large FCS school and get beaten up on the football field.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times explores the dispute between Tennis Channel and cable providers Cablevision and Verizon FiOS.
Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times has praise for NBC’s Notre Dame coverage and ESPN’s College GameDay.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle speculates on the future of the Longhorn Network if Texas goes to the Pac-12.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman liked Gus Johnson and Charles Davis’ work on the Tulsa-Oklahoma game, but Kevin Frazier and Marcus Allen, not so much.
Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post says Colorado fans will have to scramble to find Saturday’s game against Cal.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports calendar for this week.
Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says NFL gamers are gearing up for the season.
Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail wonders if the public really needed to know the details of Wade Belak’s suicide.
The Paranoid Puck reports that former Dallas Stars coach Marc Crawford will be joining TSN and former MSG host Christine Simpson returns to Canada to work for Rogers Sportsnet.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog has some Labour Day thoughts.
Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has some typos both on TV and online.
Sports Media Watch says Nielsen will be tracking fewer TV households this year.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that Versus will be airing some NHL preseason games for the first time.
And that will do it for today.
Sep
04
Bringing Out Some Sunday Links
I’m linking in the middle of doing some badly needed DIY projects here at the Fang’s Bites abode so I might be a bit scarce today. I’ll do what I can on this lazy Sunday, the middle of the Labor Day Weekend.
The ESPN Ombudsman, Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute responds to Bruce Feldman’s allegations about his (alleged) suspension.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says Cablevision and Verizon FiOS dropped Tennis Channel this morning as part of yet another installment of their long-running dispute.
Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has video of ESPN’s Jessica Mendoza pulling a Heidi Watney and gagging on air after taking a swig of pickle juice. Or it hearkens to when Tracy Wolfson tried Cammy Cam Juice.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post has some suggestions for the NBA Players Association.
Page Six of the New York Post says Andy Roddick dislikes John McEnroe so much that he refused to do an ESPN interview until he left the set.
Joseph Barracato of the Post ridicules CNBC’s Darren Rovell’s Versus show even before it takes air.
Steve Politi of the Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger says the Bayonne Bleeder, Chuck Wepner, will get his story of his 1976 fight with Muhammed Ali told by Hollywood and ESPN in separate projects.
In the Washington Examiner, Jim Williams talks with the multifaceted Trevor Matich of ESPN and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.
In Texas Monthly, Jason Cohen takes a look at the trials and tribulations of the Longhorn Network.
Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News says the Longhorn Network will pick up five Texas-San Antonio games this season.
EPL Talk says the interesting battle in soccer will be Fox vs. NBC.
Sports Media Watch has some various ratings news and notes.
SMW says the first leg of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup did not do well.
Joe Favorito takes a look at MetLife buying the naming rights for New Meadowlands Stadium.
And that will do it for the Sunday links.
Sep
03
A Few Saturday Links
I’ll be heading out later today, but before I do, I’ll provide a few links here.
Don’t forget your College Football Viewing Picks are here.
The always lovely Rachel Cohen of the Associated Press says the NFL is getting ready to negotiate new contracts with its TV partners.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes about John McEnroe joining Tennis Channel for its weekend primetime coverage of the U.S. Open.
Tim Baysinger of Multichannel notes that MLB Network has been picked up by Dish Network.
Anthony Crupi of Adweek says Nissan will unveil its sponsorship of the Heisman Trophy tonight on ABC.
Timothy Burke at SportsGrid has the classic video of a penalty description during last night’s insane TCU-Baylor game.
Karen Hogan at Sports Video Group says NCAA.com will be unveiling a whole host of exclusive content for college football season.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that the New York Islanders now have an official tattoo shop.
Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports has details of the first UFC on Fox bill coming up in November.
Eric Adelson of Yahoo’s The PostGame says FoxSports.com produced a racially insensitive feature about Asians and football.
MediaMatters is on top of the story as well.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has a poll asking you about the best NFL announcing teams.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette writes that a local radio station will air a rescheduled high school football game on Monday.
Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that ESPN mislabeled the DC NFL Team’s quarterback controversy.
Dan also talks with NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson about his mission to feed the poor before he joined NFL Network.
The Augusta (GA) Chronicle picks up a story from Gracie Shepard and Gary Smits about the Gator Bowl getting a new sponsor.
Greg Sullivan at The Tennessean talks with a more relaxed Kirk Herbstreit who moved to the Volunteer State from his native Columbus, OH.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News feels ESPN’s Lee Corso is still on top of his game on College GameDay, although some Twitter comments feel otherwise.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle writes about the Longhorn Network getting a big pickup in Texas and it picking up one Big 12 Conference game.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that the Packers beat the Badgers in the ratings in a rare head-to-head matchup.
Bob says ESPN’s Jon Gruden feels New Orleans Saints head guy Sean Payton could coach for him.
Bob writes that Milwaukee has moved up a notch in the Nielsen TV market rankings.
Dave Newhouse of the Oakland Tribune profiles legendary announcer Barry Tompkins.
Sports Media Watch says ESPN got off to a bad ratings start for college football.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media notes that despite losing the Thrashers, Atlanta will continue to get hockey games on TV.
Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing loves that paralyzed football player Eric LeGrand is going to be on Rutgers radio this season.
And I’ll end the linkage there for today.
Sep
02
Some Longhorn Network News
We have a couple of press releases for you regarding the ESPN-owned and operated Longhorn Network. First, we learn that the network totally devoted to University of Texas sports has selected the one Big 12 Conference game it will air this year. It will be the Kansas game at Austin on October 29. Here’s the press release.
Kansas vs. Texas to Air on Longhorn Network October 29
Kansas vs. Texas, a Big 12 intra-conference matchup slated for October 29, will air on Longhorn Network. The new 24/7 University of Texas network which will televise the Longhorns’ home opener against Rice University, Saturday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m., will provide surround coverage leading into both games.
Longhorn Network will be the exclusive national distributor for the matchup with the exception of in the state of Kansas where the game will also be televised on select over-the-air stations to be determined at a later date. Kansas and Texas have met just 10 times since 1901. The Longhorns lead the series 8-2 heading into this season.
This game is approved by Commissioner Dan Beebe based upon the approval process that the Big 12 Board of Directors determined last month. ABC will maintain first selection for the Big 12 games on October 29. This ensures that all Big 12 games that day will be distributed by national carriers.
And earlier, ESPN announced that Grande Communications agreed to pick up Longhorn Network and the significant thing about this is that viewers in the Austin, Dallas, San Antonio markets will be able to see tomorrow’s Rice at Texas game live. Here’s the press release.
Longhorn Network Available to Subscribers in Time for Rice vs. University of Texas
ESPN and Grande Communications announce that the Longhorn Network (LHN) will be available to University of Texas fans across the state of Texas in time for the Rice vs. Texas game on Saturday, Sept. 3, when the Owls take on the Longhorns from Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. CT (with a re-air at midnight CT). Grande Communications serves the Austin, San Marcos, San Antonio, Midland/Odessa, Waco, Corpus Christi and Dallas markets.
“As a Texas based company, Grande understands the passion our customers have for Texas sports,” said Matt Murphy, President, Grande Communications. “We are pleased and very excited to make Longhorn Network available as part of our cable television offerings.”
Added David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks, “Grande customers across the state of Texas will have access to more Longhorn content than ever before.”
Longhorn Network Channel Positions are:
SD HD Austin 29 829 San Marcos 29 829 San Antonio 29 829 Corpus Christi 33 833 Waco 25 825 Midland 33 833 Dallas 33 833 LHN will be available online, on tablets and on smartphones to fans with an affiliated video subscription in the near future.
Prior to Saturday’s kick-off, the two-hour Texas GameDay - the only pre-game show exclusively from inside the stadium – at 5 p.m. will give fans all the insights, analysis and excitement they’ve come to know from ESPN’s College GameDay pre-game show. Then, Longhorn fans will see the debut of Texas GameDay Final – a two-hour dedicated post-game show televised immediately after the game exclusively from the field. Monday at 7 p.m., Rewind with Mack Brown will breakdown all the plays and action from the team’s first contest. Finally, Tuesday at 8 p.m., Texas Football Overdrive will present the Rice vs. Texas game in an enhanced format featuring interviews, sound and analysis that bring viewers an inside look at the game.
Longhorn Network Coverage of Sept. 3 Season Opener:
Date Time (CT) Program Sat, Sept 3 5 p.m. Texas GameDay Sat, Sept. 3 7 p.m. Rice vs. Texas Sat, Sept. 3 10 p.m. Texas GameDay Final Sun, Sept. 4 12 a.m. Re-air Rice vs. Texas Mon, Sept. 5 7 p.m. Rewind with Mack Brown Tues, Sept. 6 8 p.m. Texas Football Overdrive
And that will do it.
Sep
02
Getting The Friday Megalinks Done
Let’s get these megalinks done as I hope to give you a weekend full of posts for the three day holiday. That’s my plan, at least. They could get changed due to family or weather. You never know.
I have the sports and entertainment programming in the Weekend Viewing Picks. Let’s get to the linkage now.
National
Michael Hiestand of USA Today discusses the NFL Films documentary on Bill Belichick that followed him for the entire 2009 season and got some rather interesting footage.
Sports Business Daily’s John Ourand speaks with a Fox Soccer exec about having English Premier League games air on the Fox mothership.
John Eggerton from Broadcasting & Cable reports that President Obama’s speech to a joint session of Congress next Thursday will not cut into the NFL regular season opener on NBC.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that Big Ten Network’s BTN2Go service has been picked up by four cable and satellite providers.
Timothy Burke of SportsGrid says former NFL cheap shot artist Chuck Cecil got off to an inauspicious start to his broadcasting career on Thursday.
Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has some really bad network typos from the last week.
Sports Media Watch looks at the extension of the PGA Tour’s deal with CBS Sports, Golf Channel and NBC Sports.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media says the NHL’s TV partners should lead the discussion on head injuries and how they could lead to tragedies such as the deaths of Wade Belak, Derek Boogaard and Rick Rypien.
Joe Favorito says the Los Angeles Dodgers are using social media this month to try to get closer to the fans.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn from the Boston Globe looks at the PGA Tour’s extension with its TV partners and he talks about Friend of Fang’s Bites Jen Royle talking with various area radio stations.
In SBNation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch has the ESPN Monday Night Football crew previewing this season’s Patriots team.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes about college football writer “Free Bruce” Feldman leaving ESPN.com to go to CBS Sports.
Larry Dorman of the Times writes about the PGA Tour’s new contract with CBS, Golf Channel and NBC.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post continues to plaster hate all over his wretched columns.
Justin Terranova of the Post has five questions for Monday Night Football’s Jon “This Guy” Gruden and Ron “I’m Telling You, Jaws” Jaworski.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says a local TV station is in its 13th year producing a high school football highlights show.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call tells football fans not to worry about President Obama’s speech interrupting the Saints-Packers NFL season opener on Thursday.
Laura Nachman has a press release announcing the winner of a Philadelphia sports radio talk show host contest.
DCTRV.com’s Dave Hughes in Press Box notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic’s Russ Thaler moves to Versus for a national gig.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner has a few notes about this Sunday’s Baltimore Grand Prix.
Jim has Fox’s college football crew discussing the potential departure of Oklahoma from the Big 12.
South
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald looks at some of the changes in the NFL TV broadcast booths for this season.
Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times has a preview of the weekend on sports television.
Bud Kennedy of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says the Longhorn Network will help Texas down the road, but it’s already hurting its relationship with other schools.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reveals that Texas and Texas A&M were in talks to create a joint TV network four years ago.
David says University of Houston quarterback Case Keenum gets a national showcase on Fox Sports Net this weekend.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman talks with the new voice of the Oklahoma Sooners.
In his notebook, Mel looks at the new Fox Sports studio team for college football.
Gina Mizell of the Oklahoman talks with ESPN Sport Science host John Brenkus about how an Oklahoma State athlete was chosen for a feature.
Midwest
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer is still rooting for the late Reds announcer Joe Nuxhall to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
And John has a couple of local TV news and notes.
Mike Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with ESPN college football analyst Chris Spielman about the rivalry that is Michigan-Ohio State.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel asks if social media has a place in sports broadcasts.
Scott Cooper Williams of the Green Bay Gazette says a bunch of NBC shows will be town to help hype the Saints-Packers NFL season opener on Thursday.
Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers in sports business and media.
Tina Akouris of the Chicago Sun-Times writes about Dick Vitale’s new children’s book.
West
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says Utah fans should be happy that a local TV station is picking up the team’s games for this season.
J. Patrick Coolican of the Las Vegas Sun says UNLV’s TV contract through the Mountain West Conference just plain sucks.
Jay Posner from the San Diego Union-Tribune says Padres fans should expect to watch games on a new channel next season.
John Maffei of the North County Times says there will be a plethora of college football games this weekend.
Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star notes the return of former Dodgers broadcaster Ross Porter to play-by-play, but this time online.
Jim says Fox Sports West will be extensively covering high school football online.
Helene Elliot of the Los Angeles Times says Hall of Fame Kings announcer Bob Miller has signed a new contract that will bring him to 40 seasons with the team.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News also writes about Miller’s new deal.
Tom talks to network executives and producers about how and when to incorporate Twitter into a sports broadcast.
And that’s going to do it for the megalinks. If you’re traveling this weekend, be safe and if you’re still recovering from Hurricane Irene, I hope all returns to normal soon.
Aug
29
The Recovering After Irene Links
Yesterday at 8:30 a.m., I lost power at my house and as of this post, I still don’t have it. The northern part of my town has power, but I live in the southern part and there’s nothing. That’s not good. And RI did not get hit that hard by Irene so I don’t know how we could lose power for so long. Anyway, it appears that my office never lost electricity as the clocks appear to be on time so I’m blogging from work. Hopefully, I won’t be without power for that long.
Here are your links.
Michael Smith of the Sports Business Journal writes that UPS and MillerCoors are looking to become very aggressive sponsors of college sports.
Eric Fisher of SBJ says a new site has launched to cover digital fan marketing.
Terry Lefton of SBJ speaks with a sports marketer who believes stadium naming rights work.
Mimi Turner of the Hollywood Reporter says the BBC will air every hour of every single event at the 2012 London Olympics. That’s quite ambitious.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says with Hurricane Irene out of the way, New York can focus on the U.S. Open for the next two weeks.
Mike says Tennis Channel will reach 50 million homes for the Open.
ESPN Ombudsman Kelly McBride from the Poynter Institute says there’s nothing wrong with ESPN airing the Little League World Series to which I ask her, are you crazy?
Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says reporting on suicides and speculating why they happen as in the case of former Baltimore Orioles pitcher and broadcaster Mike Flanagan demonstrate the need for due diligence by news organizations.
Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser says a short two days after Vin Scully announced his return to the Dodgers, so did Spanish voice Jaime Jarrin.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid notes that Houston Texan RB Arian Foster is not a fan of ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowhack. Really, who is?
Zombie Journalism has a problem with ESPN’s social networking policy that bans its reporters from breaking news on Twitter.
TMZ reports that wrestler Ric Flair is contemplating a lawsuit against Captain Blowhard-led Grantland.com for a long article on him that was published last week.
The New York Times’ Richard Sandomir speaks with Fox Sports’ Joe Buck about his ailing voice.
The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick decides that he’s a man of the people, which probably couldn’t be further from the truth.
Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with CBS college football host Tim Brando about his radio show being aired on CBS Sports Network.
Tom Jones at the St. Petersburg Times looks at the weekend in sports television including a poor local broadcast of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers preseason games.
Sean Pendergast in the Houston Press says the Longhorn Network doesn’t have enough content to be successful.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says ESPN’s Chris Spielman picks Wisconsin to win the Big Ten title.
From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Dan Caesar writes that Missouri’s new football analyst has a football background, but also one in intelligence. As in CIA. Yup.
Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post is amazed at the media controversy swirling around Broncos third-string quarterback Tim Tebow.
Andrew Malcolm from the Los Angeles Times says ESPN has warned golf analyst Paul Azinger over his tweet criticizing President Obama.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News speaks with Olympic swimmer Janet Evans who turned 40 on Sunday. Wow.
Tom writes about Dodgers Spanish broadcaster Jaime Jarrin’s return for next year.
Tom also has your sports calendar for this week.
Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says the lockout doesn’t seem to be effecting the NBA.
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail advises us not to look for Rogers Sportsnet to wrest the CFL rights away from TSN in the next bidding.
The Toronto Sports Media Blog says the Maple Leafs are close to hiring a new announcer.
Sox & Dawgs has a look at the UConn Radio Network for the 2011-12 season.
Mike Shields at DigiDay notes that ESPN’s College GameDay will really sink its teeth into social networking this season.
Ryan Yoder of Awful Announcing is critical of the ESPN Ombudsman for letting ESPN off the hook for airing the Little League World Series.
Joe Favorito feels the World Fire and Police Games taking place in New York are brand and activation opportunities for potential sponsors.
And lastly, here’s a video I made last night driving down the main road of my town showing how dark it was. Definitely no fun without power.
That’s all. Back later.
Aug
26
A Pre-Hurricane Friday Megalinks Edition
As the Northeast battens down the hatches for the impending hit of Hurricane Irene this weekend and it’s not a matter of if it’s coming, but when, I’ll probably won’t be blogging much over the next few days. I’ll do my best as long as I have power, but disaster preparation will be high on the priorities the next two days.
For those of you looking for a diversion from Hurricane Irene coverage either on the Weather Channel or local news, I do have the sports and entertainment listings in the Weekend Viewing Picks. If you’re in the projected path or far from it, this will help you find the program you’re looking for.
Let’s get to the links.
National
Bob Velin of USA Today says Floyd “Money” Mayweather is ready for his HBO close-up again as he takes part in another edition of 24/7.
USA Today’s Mike McCarthy says ESPN golf analyst Paul Azinger took a jab at President Obama for playing golf on his vacation while people are out of work.
Mike McCarthy and Michael Hiestand debate the validity of the Longhorn Network.
Sean Gregory of Time says ESPN The Magazine’s story making Michael Vick a white man was wrong on several accounts.
Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic has secured the rights to ACC sports including football and basketball.
Multichannel News says soccer-centric Gol TV will air the start of Spain’s La Liga following the resolution of a player’s strike this week.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel writes that MSG Varsity will produce local editions of its High School SportsDesk program.
Dan Fogarty at SportsGrid reports that sports media site SportsNewser will be closing up shop at the end of this month. Sad to see. The site was a very good resource for Fang’s Bites. Marcus Vanderberg and Cam Martin from SportsNewser have become good friends and I hope they land on their feet soon.
Wayne Friedman at MediaPost says the New York Jets have become an innovator in their use of social media.
Joe Favorito looks at how sports marketing powerhouse IMG redefined itself into a marketer for college sports.
John Daly in his Daly Planet blog says Hurricane Irene coverage on several local ABC stations may put a crimp for fans who want to watch NASCAR on Saturday.
EPL Talk reports that Fox will air some English Premier League matches including the Chelsea-Manchester United rivalry game live on Super Bowl Sunday.
Sports Business Daily looks at the probability of EPL games airing on Fox.
The Big Lead takes a look at ESPN’s plans for its annual all-day and all-night College Basketball Marathon coming in November.
Brady Green at Awful Announcing notes that Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis did a stab at play-by-play in last night’s game against the DC NFL team.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe notes that fantasy sports can no longer be ignored by the mainstream media and he adds that Friend of Fang’s Bites Jen Royle is a candidate to fill one of three potential vacancies at NESN.
At SBNation Boston, Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch wonders which reporter is apologizing for Patriots defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth.
Newsday’s Neil Best says Entourage tapped New York Giants owner Steve Tisch for an appearance on the HBO show.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is back from a brief vacation to hate everything in his path.
Justin Terranova of the Post speaks with CBS’ Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason on what they expect from New York’s NFL quarterbacks this season.
Justin has five questions for ESPN2 tennis analyst Brad Gilbert on the U.S. Open.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says due to Hurricane Irene, the Jets and Giants have moved the starting time of their NFL exhibition game to Saturday afternoon.
Pete says Marv Albert is happy to be calling NFL games on television once again.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette says Capital Region fans will have two opportunities to see the Jets-Giants on Saturday.
Ken talks with Versus horse racing host Laffit Pincay, Jr.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call writes about a former area high school athlete who’s doing overnight updates for WFAN in New York.
Richard Rys of Philadelphia Magazine blasts ESPN for airing every game ofthe Little League World Series.
Childs Walker, Jeff Zrebiec and Justin Fenton of the Baltimore Sun says Mike Flanagan’s friends including MASN’s Gary Thorne are still coming to grips with his death.
David Zurawik of the Sun writes that WBAL-TV is standing by its report as to why Flanagan took his own life.
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that an original Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic personality said goodbye last night.
Dan has the debut Geico spot featuring DC NFL Team linebacker Brian Orakpo.
Dan says last night’s Washington-Baltimore NFL preseason game set a ratings record in the nation’s capital.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will split its feed to air pregame shows of both the Baltimore Ravens and DC NFL Team during weeks when they’re programmed simultaneously.
South
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that while Verizon FiOS signed to carry the Longhorn Network, it won’t have tonight’s launch on its system.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Longhorn Network is having less than an auspicious launch.
David says despite the low viewership numbers at the start, the Longhorn Network’s staff remains upbeat about its future.
Gary Dinges of the Austin American-Statesman says most Texas fans will probably miss tonight’s Longhorn Network launch barring some miracle cable and satellite pickups.
Mel Bracht of the Daily Oklahoman also writes about the Longhorn Network’s launch.
Midwest
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Time Warner Cable will air a slate of high school football games this fall.
Kyle Neddenriep of the Indianapolis Star notes that ESPN is in town to air a couple of high school football games this weekend.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says NBC is going all out for the NFL regular season opener between the Saints and the Packers.
Ed Sherman has his winners and losers in sports business and media.
Paul Christan at the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says don’t confuse NFL Network with DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket package.
Paul says the Minnesota Vikings without Brett Favre this season won’t be primetime darlings this season.
West
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says don’t confuse BYUtv with the Longhorn Network.
John Maffei of the North County Times says if the NFL wants a Los Angeles franchise, it shouldn’t poach the Chargers.
T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times tells fans to stay home and watch the games on TV.
T.J. can’t believe the Dodgers are asking fans to evaluate Vin Scully’s performance as a broadcaster.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes that Fox Sports West will air one high school football game a week and stream a whole host of them online.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail says buyer beware when it comes to Twitter.
That will do it for today. Be safe wherever you are this weekend.
Aug
25
Doing Some Thursday Linkage
Let’s provide links while I can. Trying not to make this a week where links are scarce. Let’s get this done.
First, Jessica E. Vascellaro and Darren Everson of the Wall Street Journal look at how infusions of TV rights money has changed college sports not necessarily for the better.
John Ourand at Sports Business Daily notes that Longhorn Network has picked up its first major cable provider just ahead of Friday’s launch.
Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable also writes about Longhorn Network’s carriage deal.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News looks at Fox Soccer signing a multiyear deal for the UEFA Europa League.
Emma Bazilian of Adweek says the Bleacher Report has raised $22 million in capital for future expansion of the site.
Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine explores the rich naming rights deal involving MetLife and the New Meadowlands Stadium.
Dave Kindred at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says there are not that many differences between “New School” and “Old School” writers.
Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser says the operator of an illegal sports video streaming site was arrested by the Feds yesterday.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell feels Danica Patrick’s popularity has hit the wall.
Dashiell Bennett of the Business Insider’s Sports Page notes that ESPN put up a controversial rendering (now since taken down) of Michael Vick as a white man.
Robert Littal of Black Sports Online has a problem with ESPN’s premise of making Vick a white man.
At ESPN Front Row, PR maven Mike Soltys informs us that the Alleged Worldwide Leader has revised its social networking policy.
Claire Atkinson of the New York Post says any talk of the NFL and Time Warner Cable being close on a deal for NFL Network is just that. Talk.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that TBS has made a change for its Sunday MLB game due to Hurricane Irene.
Ken Schott says a local radio station will have a unique baseball-horse racing on-air schedule this Saturday.
Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says the MSG Networks will be airing plenty of college football in the fall.
Ken adds that MSG Network will air a prospects hockey tournament next month.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says an area native is doing overnight sports reports on WFAN.
Justin Fenton and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun report that police have confirmed that former Orioles pitcher and broadcaster Mike Flanagan took his own life outside his home on Wednesday.
Peter Schmuck of the Sun says now is not the time to speculate why Flanagan chose to end his life.
The Sun’s Kevin Cowherd writes that Flanagan made people laugh as a player and as a broadcaster.
In Press Box, Dave Hughes says Flanagan’s death is still a mystery.
Matt Brooks in the Washington Post’s Early Lead blog says Flanagan’s death has hit the Orioles very hard.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that Danica Patrick’s move to NASCAR makes the Baltimore Grand Prix one of her last IndyCar races of her career.
Ken Tysiac of the Charlotte (NC) Observer says thanks to its new ESPN contract, ACC basketball will get plenty of TV exposure.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News has a primer on the Longhorn Network.
Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram has CBS Sports Chair Sean McManus feeling the SEC will be standing pat for the foreseeable future.
Jimmy says Verizon FiOS will be distributing the Longhorn Network across the country.
The Houston Chronicle says a local TV station will begin airing Thursday night high school football games.
David Barron of the Chronicle writes that the Longhorn Network is ready to launch, but won’t be seen widely in Houston.
Ed Sherman in Crain’s Chicago Business says Notre Dame has renewed a radio rights deal with WLS-AM.
Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times looks at a big reveal from ESPN Films’ documentary on the Steve Bartman 2003 NLCS inc
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has Sports Illustrated saying the beating of a San Francisco Giants fan in the Dodger Stadium parking lot earlier this year sealed the fate of the franchise.
Mason Kelly of the Seattle Times says a local high school gym got a facelift thanks to an ESPN program.
Only Deadspin. It has a spy inside ESPN’s State of the Union meeting with higher ups.
Sox & Dawgs looks at SNY’s UConn football coverage.
The Toronto Sports Media blog notes that long-time Maple Leafs voice Dennis Beyak is apparently heading to Winnipeg.
Sports Media Watch has some various football programming notes.
That is going to finish the links for today.
Aug
25
Longhorn Network Gets Its First Major Carriage Pickup
Announced this morning, Longhorn Network gets its first major cable provider pickup just a day before it officially launches on Friday. Verizon FiOS TV announces that it will distribute nationwide the ESPN-backed regional sports network devoted totally to the University of Texas. Before today, Longhorn Network had been picked up by a couple of smaller provider in the State of Texas. Now, ESPN, the University of Texas and Longhorn Network can crow which is what all three parties are doing right now. Not quite champagne-popping news, but pretty close in ESPN’s eyes.
We have the press release for you from the offices of ESPN.
Verizon Is Largest Video Service Provider to Add University of Texas Longhorn Network to Channel Lineup — in Time for Football Team’s Sept. 3 Opener
IRVING, Texas – Joining a growing lineup of regional and national collegiate sports networks on FiOS TV, the Longhorn Network has arrived on FiOS just in time for the start of the college football season. The Longhorn Network is a channel devoted to athletic programming and related activities at the University of Texas.
Verizon is the largest video service provider to date to announce the addition of the Longhorn Network to its channel lineup.
“The Longhorns have a huge presence in Texas, with a passionate fan base that extends across the country,” said David Preschlack, executive vice president, Disney and ESPN Media Networks. “Verizon’s early commitment to this network speaks to the university’s popularity and the consumer demand for this content.”
Terry Denson, vice president of content strategy and acquisition for Verizon, said, “We know Texas Longhorn fans are among the most loyal and enthusiastic in college sports, so we’re pleased to add the Longhorn Network to our already robust sports lineup on FiOS TV. The addition of this groundbreaking collegiate sports channel adds to Verizon’s commitment to bring the best in sports and entertainment and overall video content to our customers.”
The national distribution agreement with the Longhorn Network will allow fans of FiOS and the Longhorns to start watching the network on Sept. 1. FiOS TV Ultimate HD subscribers outside of Texas can watch LHN on Channel 320. In Texas, FiOS TV Prime HD, Extreme HD and Ultimate HD subscribers can watch LHN on Channels 79 (standard definition) and 579 (high definition).
In the near future, the Longhorn Network also will be available online, on tablets and on smartphones for fans with a Verizon FiOS TV plan, making UT athletics and other programming easily available anywhere, anytime.
‘Game Plan With Mack Brown’ and ‘Texas GameDay’ Featured for Season Opener
On Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. CT, “Game Plan with Mack Brown” will look at what Texas must do to beat Rice in the Longhorns’ season opener on Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. At 5 p.m., the two-hour “Texas GameDay” – the only pre-game show broadcast exclusively from inside the stadium — will give fans all the insights, analysis and excitement they’ve come to know from ESPN’s “College GameDay” pre-game show. Immediately after the game, Longhorn fans will see the debut of “Texas GameDay Final” – a two-hour dedicated post-game show televised exclusively from the field.Additionally, on Monday (Sept. 5) at 7 p.m., and each following Monday at that time throughout the football season, “Rewind with Mack Brown” will break down all the plays of the previous Saturday’s game. And each Tuesday at 8 p.m. “Texas Football Overdrive” will present the game in an enhanced format featuring interviews, sound and analysis that bring viewers an inside look at the game.
That’s all for this post.
Aug
24
Finally Back To Linking
The last couple of days have been tough to provide links as I was out of the office. Glad to be back linking again, although you never know if I’ll be called away again. I’ll try to do what I can.
Mike McCarthy of USA Today attended the NFL on CBS media day on Tuesday which introduced the network’s announcing teams for this season. Mike got some interesting quotage from NFL Today analyst Boomer Esiason on Denver Broncos third string QB Tim Tebow.
Mike reported earlier this week that ESPN’s Brian Kenny is leaving the network to possibly take a position with MLB Network.
Erik Brady of USA Today writes that the late Al McGuire’s granddaughter, once a basketball player at Virginia, is now an accomplished model.
John Ourand at Sports Business Journal chronicles what NBC Sports Group is doing to position Versus as a major player in sports television.
Jon Lafayette of Broadcasting & Cable says CBS Sports officials were worried about a potential NFL lockout, but continued to sell ads and carried on with its business of getting ready for this season.
Tim Baysinger of B&C has Marv Albert pleasantly surprised to be calling the NFL on TV again.
Over to Multichannel News and Mike Reynolds who writes that the Pac-12 Conference has hired a sports media veteran to run its seven Pac-12 Networks.
Mike says Tennis Channel has signed a new deal with the National Cable Television Cooperative that takes it off sports tiers on member’s cable systems.
R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel says MTV2 will air some live Lingerie Football League games starting on Friday.
Anthony Crupi of Adweek writes that concerns over the NFL lockout led advertisers to turn to college football for commercial buys.
Crupi adds that NFL Network has signed up another cable provider leaving Cablevision and Time Warner as the last two major holdouts.
Gregg Rosenthal of Pro Football Talk writes that former Patriots, Dolphins and Saints running back Heath Evans will retire and join NFL Network’s large cadre of analysts.
Mike Florio of PFT says NFL owners realize that empty stadiums don’t make for exciting TV.
Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser writes that ESPN is hiring another WWE veteran to join its on-air staff.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid notes that ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown crew was dressed in SWAT uniforms for an promo shoot.
Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says the Baltimore Ravens are successfully producing all home preseason TV games in-house rather than outsource production to a local TV or cable network.
The Big Lead’s Barry Janoff recaps the NFL on CBS Media Day.
Rich Arden at ESPN’s Front Row PR blog says you can now put the Monday Night Football schedule into your Google calendar. Seriously!
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes that if it’s US Open time, then it must mean another battle between Cablevision and Tennis Channel.
Richard says after many repeated offers, MetLife is finally taking the plunge and buying the naming rights to the New Meadowlands Stadium.
Barry Bearak of the Times profiles former play-by-play announcer Dom Valentino who’s currently fighting several life battles.
Richard Huff of the New York Daily News reports that WCBS-TV sports anchor and sometimes CBS Sports reporter Sam Ryan is leaving to take a job with MLB Network.
Newsday’s Neil Best looks at MetLife slapping its name on New Meadowlands Stadium for a rather large fee.
During Tuesday’s NFL on CBS Media Day, Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union asked CBS Sports President Sean McManus about a few non-NFL related issues.
Pete says 18 years later, CBS NFL analyst Steve Tasker is still correcting those who think it was he who prevented Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Leon Lett from scoring at Super Bowl XXVII.
Ken Schott in the Schenectady Gazette says the University of Albany is shifting its football season opener to a different radio station as its flagship has a conflict.
Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record writes that Time Warner Cable won’t be airing any local high school football games this season.
Matt Murschel of the Orlando Sentinel talks with ESPN College GameDay analyst Desmond Howard about his new book and his usage of social media.
Henry Unger of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution speaks with NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus about replacing the former Emperor Dick Ebersol.
Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says the ESPN College GameDay crew will be in Austin to help launch the Longhorn Network.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says the Longhorn Network’s immediate future looks rather murky right now.
Mel Bracht in the Daily Oklahoman notes that former Sooners safety Roy Williams will be a part of the school’s radio broadcasts this season.
Mel says the NFL preseason topped the local TV ratings.
Mike Baldwin of the Oklahoman says ESPN’s All-Access series on the Sooners is compelling TV.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Bengals garnered a huge local rating on Sunday.
John says the new Joe Morgan radio show is being heard locally.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers will appear weekly on the local NBC station.
The Provo (UT) Daily Herald notes that ESPN has released the 2011-12 West Coast Conference men’s basketball schedule.
Ryan Casey of the Denver Post tells us that Root Sports Rocky Mountain will air the state high school football and basketball championships this year.
The Reno (NV) Gazette-Journal reports NFL Network will be seen on the local cable provider this season.
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that CBC is shooting down claims that it’s biased against Western Canadian NHL teams in its new Hockey Night in Canada schedule.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog says TSN and CBC are teaming up for coverage of this weekend’s LPGA Canadian Women’s Open.
Sports Media Watch says the PGA Championship’s ratings fell to a three year low.
SMW also has some various ratings news and notes.
Daniel Feuerstein of MLS Talk feels NBC will be a big boost for Major League Soccer.
Joe Favorito writes that Fordham University has been a fertile training ground for several of NYC’s sports voices.
Last night, I had the privilege to be a guest on
. Steven Bennett and Don Russ interviewed me on several subjects including the NFL on CBS, Marv Albert’s role at CBS, Joe Buck’s voice, NBC Sports Group, Olympics and a whole plethora of topics. I’m at 1:17:14 into the podcast. Michael Fabiano is also on so give it a listen.
The only Steeler fan I really like, Steelergurl, explains why she hasn’t been blogging lately. Get well soon, Lahne.
Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth looks at what NBC Sports Group is doing to improve Versus.
And that is going to finish out the links today.
Aug
21
Let’s Do Some Sunday Linkage
Time for some Sunday links. I’ll also attempt some Sunday thoughts later.
Todd Spangler of Multichannel News writes that Comcast has dropped a lawsuit against DirecTV over its NFL Sunday Ticket ad campaign.
Tom Weir of USA Today explains how ESPN’s Dick Vitale got so angry at a sports radio talk show that he hung up.
Mike McCarthy of USA Today has Fox’s Jimmy Johnson ripping into former University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro who blew the whistle on his payments former Hurricanes to Yahoo! Sports.
Former LA Times NBA beat writer Mark Heisler gives us an inside account of his layoff from the newspaper.
Will Brinson at CBSSports.com notes that people made CBS Sports and Golf Channel-themed sandcastles at the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship.
Dylan Stableford of Yahoo’s Cutline blog explains how Yahoo! Sports broke the University of Miami violations story.
Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser writes that the first UFC on Fox card in November 12 will not conflict with the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez fight on the same night.
Timothy Burke at SportsGrid notes that another ESPN camera was broken at the Little League World Series.
Ken Pishna of Yahoo! Sports has UFC President Dana White claiming ESPN canceled an interview with him after the announcement of the Fox deal.
Brandon Costa of Sports Video Group notes that Longhorn Network opened its doors to the media and University of Texas administration last week.
Plagiarist Ron Borges of the Boston Herald says boxing has fallen behind mixed martial arts in attracting younger males to the sport.
The New York Post talks with new SNY anchor/reporter Kerith Burke who makes her debut tonight.
Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union has the ESPN MLB schedule from now through the end of the month.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the NFL should make the Baltimore-Washington area a shared media market.
Matt Forman of the Miami Herald writes about former Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese joining the team’s radio broadcast booth.
Barry Horn of the Dallas Morning News also writes about the UFC on Fox deal.
Art Garcia of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says with less than a week to go for its launch, no cable or satellite provider has yet to come forward to pick up the Longhorn Network.
Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discusses how NFL Films chose the three Green Bay Packers to be part of the latest edition of “America’s Game”.
Matt Erickson in the Chicago Tribune asks if the UFC and Fox are really a natural fit.
Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals have put former Midwest radio powerhouse KMOX back on top of the local ratings.
Dan also has the sports radio ratings for the Gateway to the West.
Stu Durando of the Post-Dispatch looks at Longhorn Network not being allowed to air high school football games.
James Mirtle of the Toronto Globe & Mail writes that NBC has signed NHL analyst Jeremy Roenick to a long-term deal. Thanks to Steve Lepore at Puck The Media for the link.
Deadspin has the video of the MLS’ Houston Dynamo’s announcer going crazy after a last second goal.
The Canadian Sports Media blog says TSN picks up Canada’s college football championship.
And that will do it for today.
Aug
19
The Friday Night Megalinks
I’ve been to Newton, MA and back, South Kingstown, RI and back and all over my hometown of North Kingstown, RI and all of this today. It’s time to do the megalinks and get them all done in one sitting.
There’s the Weekend Viewing Picks for your sports and entertainment programming.
National
Sports Business Daily goes over the UFC/Fox agreement that will put four live MMA events on network TV and plenty of ancillary programming on Fox’s cable networks.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand writes that Fox Sports Media Group El Presidente Por Vida David Hill has done an about face on airing Mixed Martial Arts.
Sergio Non of USA Today writes that UFC will revamp its shows when they move from Spike and Versus to Fox’s networks.
Sergio has those who will take part in the first UFC on Fox card in November.
Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times writes in the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center that the success of the UFC on Fox all depends on whether the sport can have a breakout star.
Dave Meltzer at Yahoo! says UFC President Dana White couldn’t be happier in making this deal with Fox.
Also from Yahoo!, Kevin Iole says it will be the fighters who will benefit the most from the new UFC on Fox contract.
Cam Martin of SportsNewser has Spike announcing that the new season of UFC’s The Ultimate Fighter will be the last on its airwaves, naturally.
Anthony Crupi of Adweek looks into the particulars of the UFC on Fox deal.
Bill Cromwell of Media Life Magazine writes that the Fox contract gives UFC some instant mainstream credibility.
There will be more UFC on Fox stories sprinkled throughout the megalinks. Let’s move on to other stories now.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Tim Goodman wonders if Showtime’s “The Franchise” is bringing down the San Francisco Giants this season.
Georg Szalai of the Reporter reports that Comcast has withdrawn a lawsuit against DirecTV over an ad campaign for NFL Sunday Ticket.
David Goetzl of MediaPost notes that DirecTV plans to expand its fantasy offerings for NFL Sunday Ticket.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News looks at Versus/NBC Sports Network’s new exclusive NHL night in the first year of its new 10 year contract with the league.
Andrew McMains of Adweek looks at a new inspiring web video produced for the US Olympic Committee.
All Access says the ESPN Radio affiliate in Minnesota’s Twin Cities has chosen the hosts for its midday show.
Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy explores which teams won and lost in the new NHL TV schedules.
Cam Martin of SportsNewser writes that former voice of the North Carolina Tar Heels, Woody Durham, will be honored for his contributions to college football.
The Big Lead wonders if Jay Bilas is the most respected voice at ESPN.
Timothy Burke of SportsGrid investigates how former 2 Live Crew leader Luther Campbell managed to appear to appear on the Dan Patrick Show and the Colin Cowherd Show at the same time.
And Tim presents the Atlanta Braves’ Shake Cam and how it can make fans a bit too excited.
Sports Media Watch says the U-20 World Cup is scoring for Galavision.
Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has a look at some interesting sports media typos.
Matt shows us how the Baseball Tonight crew had trouble demonstrating its new touchscreen.
Joe Favorito looks at what’s new with professional lacrosse.
Patrick Stafford of Smart Company in Australia speaks with the owner of Footytips.com about how he sold his site to ESPN.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe says the limited classic programming on NBA TV during the current league lockout can only take the channel so far.
Sox & Dawgs has the video of NESN’s Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy wearing chicken hats in the booth.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes on how regional sports networks have increasing power and money to be a game changer for some professional teams.
Richard looks at the UFC on Fox deal that puts Mixed Martial Arts into the mainstream.
Dan Levin from the Times has a good story on how some athletes in Communist China are trying to buck their archaic system.
Mark DeCambre of the New York Post notes that the new Meadowlands Stadium now will have a sponsor when the new NFL season begins.
Justin Terranova in the Post looks at how Fordham University was a training ground for several NYC announcers.
Justin has five questions for SNY Jets analyst Anthony Becht.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes about Fox signing UFC for seven years.
Pete says local sports anchor Andrew Catalon’s call of tonight’s Browns-Lions game will be seen on NFL Network this weekend.
Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says a local radio station will air a full high school football schedule.
Ken says the NBC Sports Group is increasing its commitment to horse racing this fall.
And Ken writes that a new local sports radio talk show will be debuting soon.
To Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record who says the New York Rangers will be featured extensively on the national NHL TV schedules.
Crossing Broad has the audio of Philadelphia’s sports radio station WIP announcement that it’s taking over WYSP’s FM frequency killing off a heritage rock station.
Dan Gross of the Philadelphia Daily News says ‘YSP staffers were melancholy about CBS Radio’s announcement killing off the station.
Jeff Wolfe of the Delaware County Times writes about WIP’s displacement of WYSP just as the rocker’s ratings were increasing.
Mike White in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says two local high school games hit the ESPN family of networks this fall.
Shelly Anderson of the Post-Gazette says the Penguins TV announcing crew will return for another season.
In the Baltimore Sun, David Zurawik explains where Ravens fans can find the team on TV and radio.
Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com writes in Press Box that the Ravens did extremely well in the ratings in both Baltimore and Washington, DC in their NFL preseason opener.
Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with DC NFL Team radio voice Larry Michael.
And Jim writes that the Washington Capitals will have plenty of appearances on NBC/Versus (NBC Sports Network).
Mike Madden in the Washington City Paper says the local sports anchor is becoming a thing of the past.
Keith Loria of the Fairfax (VA) Times says native Lindsay Czarniak is about to make her debut on ESPN.
South
The Charleston (WV) Gazette notes that Root Sports Pittsburgh will carry some West Virginia and Marshall programming.
The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that Bob Griese will be joining the Miami Dolphins radio broadcast team replacing the late Jim Mandich.
Andy Kent of the Miami Dolphins website has Griese’s thoughts about joining the broadcast team and also sharing thoughts about Mandich.
Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times has some thoughts on the UFC/Fox deal, the Little League World Series on TV and CBS’ production of the PGA Championship.
Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel says Yahoo! Sports does a better job of investigating college sports than the NCAA.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes that Saturday’s US National Gymnastics championships get a network primetime slot.
Mike Finger and Brent Zwerneman of the San Antonio Express-News says the Longhorn Network hasn’t given up on airing high school football games in one form or another.
The Daily Oklahoman’s Mel Bracht looks at UFC getting a big payday from Fox.
Midwest
John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer talks with NBC’s Cris Collinsworth who’s going into his third season as Sunday Night Football analyst.
George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal now knows why DirecTV was so willing to give him a free subscription to NFL Sunday Ticket after learning that the service will be offered to Sony Playstation 3 owners.
The Grand Rapids (MI) Press’ Michael Zuidema notes that a Big Ten Network analyst feels Nebraska is a perfect fit for the conference.
Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is amazed at ESPN’s ever-expanding army of NFL analysts and mountain of NFL programming.
Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers in sports business and media.
Scott Dochterman in the Iowa City Gazette says NFL Network has picked up Mediacom for cable subscribers in the Hawkeye State.
West
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says it’s not known which network will air the October 15th contest between BYU and Oregon State.
Dick Harmon of the Deseret (UT) News speaks with BYUtv’s Executive Director in a lengthy interview. Part I of which is here. Read Part II here.
Larry Bohannan at the Desert (CA) Sun says there’s evidence of not much live golf shown in a PGA Tour telecast.
John Maffei of the North County Times weighs the pros and cons of airing the Little League World Series.
In the Ventura County Star, Jim Carlisle looks at the contrasting opinions that John and Patrick McEnroe had on the state of American tennis on HBO’s Real Sports this week.
Jim explores the UFC on Fox deal.
Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times says Fox paid a pretty penny to get UFC into the fold.
Meg James of the Times also writes about the UFC on Fox deal.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says when it came down to it, Fox didn’t have much of a choice but to sign UFC.
Tom says one sidebar to the UFC on Fox deal is the fact that Fox Sports Radio will also air MMA events.
Tom writes that former Dodgers radio voice Ross Porter has found his latest gig, calling high school sports online.
Canada
The Toronto Globe and Mail’s Bruce Dowbiggin feels TSN Radio isn’t getting the job done.
The Winnipeg Free Press notes that the Jets will get 22 games aired on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada.
And the number of links today are hearken back to the first two years of this blog. Lots of links. That’s it.
Aug
17
A Wednesday Link Thing
Let’s do some linkage on this Wednesday. Trying to do this early instead of late.
Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today who tells us what ESPN has promoted Trent Dilfer among its NFL analysts and dropped Matt Millen although he remains on its college football coverage.
Cam Martin of SportsNewser is as confused as I am as to why and how Time magazine named the Bleacher Report as one of its top 50 websites of the year. This is not just sports, but every single website.
Marcus Vanderberg at Media Bistro speaks with former ESPN’er Josh Elliot about his current gig at Good Morning America.
Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has the video of ESPN’s Erin Andrews playing with puppies while guest-hosting on Regis & Kelly today.
David F. Carr of Information Week explains how Comcast SportsNet uses social media to its advantage.
The Hollywood Reporter notes that ESPN is placing two channels on Hong Kong’s Internet TV provider.
Andrea Morabito of Broadcasting & Cable says Showtime is picking up two more episodes of its MLB reality series, “The Franchise” as the San Francisco Giants’ season is hanging in the balance.
At the Sports PR Blog, Michael Speciale says the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speeches by Shannon Sharpe, Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders all had a common thread.
Rip Empson at TechCrunch notes that ESPN has a new company that’s managing its online video streams.
Domenic Poli of the Brattleboro (VT) Reformer says the late Atlanta Braves announcer Ernie Johnson, Sr. never forgot his Vermont roots.
In Press Box, DCRTV’s Dave Hughes writes about Brett Haber leaving WUSA-TV in Washington, DC.
Ileana Limón at the Orlando Sentinel writes that Conference USA and ESPN have settled the network’s lawsuit against the league after it said CUSA had breached its contract by signing a new rights deal with Fox Sports.
Brad Zimanek of the Montgomery (AL) Advertiser says televising the local LPGA event live on Golf Channel this year will add a new element to this year’s tournament.
The Lexington (KY) Herald-Leader says Kentucky will be heavily featured on ESPN’s Super Tuesday SEC basketball schedule.
Kirk Bohls at the Austin American-Statesman says splitting up Texas and Texas A&M would be bad for college football, fans and TV.
John Kiesewetter at the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Bengals preseason opener did well in the local ratings.
Steve Walentik of the Columbia (MO) Tribune wants to know why ESPN didn’t see something wrong with the Longhorn Network ahead of time?
Kellis Robinett of the Kansas City Star looks at Kansas State’s plans to start its own online TV network.
Austin Meek of the Topeka (KS) Capital-Journal says the launch of K-StateHD.TV was planned long before the latest Big 12 crisis.
The San Francisco Business Times reports that the America’s Cup has signed a deal with Versus.
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail takes a shot at crosstown rival the Toronto Star for a misquote in an obituary for Winnipeg Jets center Rick Rypien who died Monday.
Speaking of the Star, Raju Mudhar speaks with the editor of ESPN The Magazine about the reaction to its story on the Toronto Blue Jays allegedly stealing signs.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog has a guest column from Mark Milner of North of the 400 who wonders what’s going on with TSN Radio.
The Brothers Yoder at Awful Announcing go over Yahoo! Sports’ extensive investigation into the University of Miami’s football program that could lead to its very hard downfall.
The Football Girl speaks with ESPN’s new coordinating producer for Sunday NFL Countdown.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media wonders if the Stanley Cup Final rematch between Boston and Vancouver is going to be a lead-in for NBC’s NFL Wild Card Saturday playoff doubleheader.
And that’s going to do it for today.
Aug
08
Back With Monday Links
This past weekend was spent preparing for my sister’s baby shower and then grilling for those in attendance so I was very busy after posting last Friday’s megalinks. My apologies for not being able to blog as I wanted this past weekend, but I do appreciate your patience. Let’s get to the linkage as we have quite a few stories to provide today.
First, USA Today’s Michael Hiestand reports that Fox Sports will unveil their NFL announcing lineup today with a few revamps and reboots, but nothing new in their top three teams.
John Ourand at Sports Business Journal notes that talks with potential suitors are heating up on the new Thursday Night Football package.
Dan Rafael of ESPN.com writes that boxer Manny Pacquaio’s next fight will be heading back to HBO after a one bout hiatus to Showtime.
Anthony Crupi of Adweek notes that while the NFL lockout was ongoing, advertisers still continued to buy commercials on the networks showing their confidence that there would be a season.
Over to Kristi Dosh, the SportsBizMiss, in the Business of College Sports who looks at ESPN’s contract for the Longhorn Network.
Dan Fogarty of SportGrid notes that Stephen A. “A is for Anguish” Smith increased his vocal volume over Tiger Woods’ former caddie, Steve Williams jumping for joy over helping Adam Scott win over the weekend.
Timothy Burke at SportsGrid has video of yesterday’s NASCAR Countdown pre-race show which was a complete mess.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell feels college football coaches who ban their team from tweeting are missing the point.
Jim Romanesko at the Poynter Institute has former Los Angeles Times NBA beat writer Mark Heisler writing about how he was laid off from the paper and how he was not too unhappy about it.
Cam Martin of SportsNewser notes that ESPN saw its best overnight ratings of the season for Sunday Night Baseball thanks to another Yankees-Red Sox matchup.
Richard Lawler at Engadget says ESPN 3D is doubling its college football schedule from last year.
The Radio & TV Business Report has Westwood One Radio’s NFL announcing crews for this season.
Brian Straight of the Hartford Business Journal writes about the long-standing relationship between ESPN and Bristol, CT.
Joe Brescia from the New York Times speaks with new NFL Hall of Famer and NFL Network analyst Marshall Faulk.
The New York Post’s Phil Mushnick is not a fan of YES’ Michael Kay.
Phil wants TNT to spill the beans on the Tiger Woods-Charles Barkley split. Like that will ever happen and who really cares?
The New York Daily News’ Gatecrasher tells us that Lifetime (a.k.a. The Network That Hates Men) has pulled the plug on a Serena Williams reality TV project.
Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette has the transcript and video of caddie Steve Williams’ interview with CBS’ David Feherty following Adam Scott’s win in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner looks at CBS/Showtime’s new reality show on the Army-Navy rivalry.
Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times feels ESPN’s Merril Hoge may have an agenda against Denver quarterback Tim Tebow.
Stephen F. Holder and Rick Stroud of the Times write that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may fall victim to more local blackouts this season.
Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business wishes the Bears would take care of their turf.
Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post talks with Colorado Rockies analyst George Frazier.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has this week’s sports calendar.
Tom reviews the incendiary comments Fox Sports Radio’s Tony Bruno made on his Twitter account Friday night as the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies had a full-scale brawl.
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle has Giants manager Bruce Bochy irate over Bruno’s tweet.
Bruce Dowbiggin in the Toronto Globe and Mail looks at the Canadian sports media battle between giants Rogers and Bell.
Raju Mudhar from the Toronto Star previews Rogers’ entry into the sports magazine market.
Ben Koo of Awful Announcing says the NFL pregame shows are inundated with Hall of Famers.
Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.
And SMW has more ratings news here.
Joe Favorito has a primer on keeping notes and how they could save you in the long run.
And that is all for today.
Aug
02
On To The Tuesday Links
Let’s get your Tuesday linkage up and posted today. Good stuff to get to.
Variety’s Stuart Levine talks with NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus about the Versus rebrand to NBC Sports Network and other subjects.
The Associated Press has Lazarus hopeful that he can make former NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol proud.
Brian Steinberg at Advertising Age writes that NBC’s rebrand of Versus plus having the Super Bowl this season puts the network in position to be a real challenger to ESPN.
Marisa Guthrie in the Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed blog says NBC’s top brass was never worried about losing NFL games this season.
Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Canada’s Rogers Communications will stream live video of Toronto Blue Jays games online and on smartphones starting this month.
Georg Szalai of the Reporter notes that Fox Sports is protesting a plan to sell the Los Angeles Dodgers’ media rights. Fox says it agreed to a long-term extension of its current deal with the team, but MLB has rejected it.
To Adweek and Emma Bazilian who says Fox is going to war over the Dodgers’ media rights.
Todd Spangler at Multichannel News writes about AT&T U-verse suddenly dropping ESPN3D citing the high carriage fees and lack of subscribers.
George Winslow of Broadcasting & Cable notes that ESPN has promoted one of its executives.
Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser notes that Chicago sportscaster Mike Adamle was cleared of DUI charges.
Cam Martin of SportsNewser looks at Awful Announcing’s Joe Morgan Memorial Tournament that left Craig James as its “winner”.
Ken Kerschbaumer at Sports Video Group wonders if 3-D will have a role in the 2012 London Olympics.
At Outkick The Coverage, Clay Travis says it’s Yahoo! that’s poised to be ESPN’s true sports media rival in the 2nd decade of the 21st Century.
The Sports Biz Miss, Kristi Dosh in the Business of College Sports explains why BCS Automatic Qualifying conferences are not knocking down Boise State’s doors to have the school join their leagues.
Kristi also looks at how the Pac-12 Network will be distributed to several Top 100 media markets within the Conference footprint.
To Yahoo’s Puck Daddy where Sean Leahy talks with ESPN’s John Buccigross about his NHL guilty pleasures.
Jose Martinez of Complex speaks with ESPN’s Erin Andrews about her country music and Saturday Night Live obsessions.
USA Today’s Mike McCarthy also talks with Erin, this time about Twitter and her assessment of her first year on the anchor desk at College GameDay.
All Access reports that Fox Sports Radio is hooking up with Mastercard for a Stand Up to Cancer promotion.
Greg Bordonaro of Hartford Business writes that ESPN plans to take advantage of a Connecticut tax break incentive offer to add more jobs in the state.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union looks at NBC/Versus NHL voice Mike “Doc” Emrick receiving another honor.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call catches up with iconic Philadelphia Eagles radio voice Merrill Reese.
Paul Farhi of the Washington Post speaks with outgoing local sports anchor Brett Haber about his decision to leave his local station.
Adam Kilgore of the Post writes that MASN has not exercised the option on Washington Nationals TV voice Bob Carpenter’s contract, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that he won’t be back next season.
ESPN3.com will be streaming a Georgia rivalry high school football game later this month.
Jimmy Burch of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says Big 12 schools decided to compromise on the Longhorn Network for one season.
Randy Riggs of the Austin (TX) American-Statesman writes that means no high school football games on the Longhorn Network for now.
Mike Finger in the Houston Chronicle says the Big 12 did leave open the possibility of having a conference game aired on the Longhorn Network this season.
Anthony Schoettle of the Indianapolis Business Journal says an NBC Sports Group deal to put NFL games on Versus would be a big help to the channel’s IndyCar package.
Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that NFL Network and companion RedZone were picked up by Charter Communications.
Bob says Chicago Cubs radio voice Pat Hughes regales in telling stories about the late Marquette coach Al McGuire and their time calling the school’s games together.
In OnMilwaukee, Andy Tarnoff goes behind the scenes during a Brewers game production with the Fox Sports Wisconsin crew.
Aaron Barnhart of the Kansas City Star writes that NBC’s Sunday Night Football crew is ready for the NFL season to start.
Shad Powers of the Desert (CA) Sun says MLB Network came through on Sunday.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News discusses the rebranding of Versus to NBC Sports Network.
In the Daly Planet, John Daly notes that ESPN NASCAR analyst Rusty Wallace has a conflict of interest when calling Nationwide Series races.
Toronto Sports Media says Sirius and XM in Canada might be pulling the plug on The Score radio channel.
The Canadian Sports Media blog has some thoughts on the last week in Canadian sports media.
Sports Media Watch notes that ESPN has brought in former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Hugh Douglas as a studio NFL analyst.
Dave Kohl at Major League Programs looks at the moves to rebrand of Sporting News Radio and Versus.
And we’re done with the linkage for today.
Aug
01
Dragging Out The Monday Linkage
Lots of stuff coming out today. Rebranding news galore as we found out that Versus will undergo a name change on January 2, 2012. Then there’s Sporting News Radio changing its name to Yahoo! Sports Radio as of today. And Westwood One Radio has merged with Dial-Global today. Crazy day. Let’s do some linkage and hope nothing else breaks.
First, Mike McCarthy of USA Today broke the news last night of the Versus rebrand.
We have the reason for the rebrand to NBC Sports Network directly from NBC.
Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand has a story on the Versus rebrand.
Bob Fernandez of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the goal of the Versus rebrand is to gain more access for NBC Sports Network and to raise subscriber fees.
Georg Szalai at the Hollywood Reporter says NBC Sports hopes to provide marketers and affiliates with a better value for the channel.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that the new name for Versus will launch on January 2.
Stuart Levine from Variety says NBC Sports hopes the new name will give the channel better footing in competing against ESPN.
All Access looks at Sporting News Radio becoming Yahoo! Sports Radio as of today.
The Houston Chronicle’s David Barron explores the rebranding of Sporting News Radio.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer say local SNR affiliates were informed of the new name today.
To other stories now.
ESPN Ombudsman Kelly McBride of the Poynter Institute wonders if ESPN got too entrenched in its NFL lockout coverage.
Eric Morath of the Wall Street Journal says Fox Sports is protesting an MLB-backed plan to sell media rights for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Overseas, Current’s Keith Olbermann writes in the London (UK) Guardian how News Corp. President Rupert Murdoch hired and fired him from Fox Sports Net.
Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com says Texas A&M is appealing to the NCAA to use a 17 year old rule to block Texas and the Longhorn Network from airing high school football games.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid says a Seattle sports radio host gave former Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard a real parting shot as he heads to Boston in a trade to the Red Sox.
Also at SportsGrid, Timothy Burke has a mashup of horrible Tim McCarver analysis from Saturday.
To Cam Martin of SportsNewser who writes is ESPN is renaming its RISE brand to reflect its true focus.
Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine notes the return of fans to NFL team websites which bodes well for the regular season.
Richard Lawler from Engadget HD notes that AT&T U-verse suddenly booted ESPN 3D off its lineup last night without any warning.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell says the NFL fantasy business seems to have recovered from the lockout.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is calling out some sports reporters for being lapdogs.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has his reaction to NBC changing Versus’ name.
Pete also has the MLB Network schedule of games for early August.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette writes NBC/Versus NHL voice Mike Emrick will be honored by the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
In the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner says football may be back, and so will the stadium hostage game.
The Washington Post’s Dan Steinberg in the DC Sports Bog says former ESPN’er Brett Haber is leaving his local DC gig to spend more time with his family.
Here’s the announcement of Haber’s departure from his local station.
Mark Washburn of the Charlotte (NC) Observer says two local radio stations are swapping their national ESPN and Fox Sports Radio affiliations.
Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times looks back at the weekend in sports TV.
In his blog, David Barron of the Houston Chronicle briefly touches upon the Sporting News Radio rebrand and discusses the passing of a legendary Texas play-by-play man.
The Pittsburg (KS) Morning Sun has a story from Jesse Cordova that ESPN will air a high school football game in neighboring Missouri.
The Denver Post’s Dusty Saunders says despite having a losing record last season, the Broncos will be covered aplenty on TV.
In the Salt Lake Tribune, Scott D. Pierce says Utah fans are already screaming about the lack of TV exposure in this year’s Pac-12 football schedule.
Brian T. Smith of the Tribune talks with new Fox Sports college football announcer Craig Bolerjack who comes over from CBS.
Tom Hoffarth in the Los Angeles Daily News has this week’s sports calendar.
Jon Wilner at the San Jose Mercury News looks at how TV rights and market size come into play for any future Pac-12 expansion.
Jonathan Okanes in the Mercury News says there’s a new FM sports radio station in the Bay Area.
Rachel Bachman of The Oregonian talks with ESPN’s Desmond Howard, Kirk Herbstreit and Erin Andrews about the 25th anniversary of College GameDay.
Raju Mudhar of the Toronto Star says sports seems to be getting the reality TV treatment throughout visual mediums.
Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN seems to be a retraining ground for coaches.
To The Big Lead and Jason Lisk where he looks at the rather interesting tweets by NFL insiders Peter King and Adam Schefter.
Sports Media Watch learns that Turner Sports’ Marc Fein is leaving to pursue other opportunities.
That’s going to do it. Lots of links today.
Jul
29
Trying To Do A Friday Megalink Session
I’m hoping to get this entire Megalink session finished in one sitting. It’s been a crazy day thus far. Of course, all of your weekend sport and entertainment programming are featured in the Weekend Viewing Picks.
Let’s get to the linkage now.
National
Michael Hiestand of USA Today speaks with noted baseball announcing author Curt Smith who has written another book about the subject.
USA Today’s Mike McCarthy has ESPN’s Desmond Howard criticizing the current college athletics system which does not allow for students to get paid.
Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel talks with Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott about the details of the conference’s new TV networks.
Mike Barnes of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Golf Channel and CBS will have the honors of airing Tiger Woods’ return to golf next weekend.
Michael Malone at Broadcasting & Cable criticizes WPRI-TV in Providence for recreating golf highlights and passing it off as it actually happened.
Thomas Umstead from Multichannel News says boxing is still a big part of HBO Sports.
Todd Spangler at Multichannel says ESPN will redesign its live streaming site for Xbox 360 users.
Timothy Burke of SportsGrid has the video of Dan Patrick joining old SportsCenter partner Keith Olbermann on Current’s Countdown program to talk about casting the potential ESPN Movie.
Marcus Vanderberg at SportsNewser notes that ESPN’s John Clayton still hasn’t grasped this Twitter thing yet.
Cam Martin of SportsNewser writes that Rory McIlroy called out a BBC golf commentator and had quite the Twitter battle.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell says Knicks and Rangers fans will have the opportunity to see their team’s players go from the court/ice to the locker room and vice versa.
The Big Lead speaks with actor Dan Lauria about bringing his Broadway role of coach Vince Lombardi “home” to Green Bay this weekend.
Sports Media Watch says viewership declined for the last week of Copa América on Univision as glamor teams Brazil and Argentina lost before the semifinal round.
SMW notes that the ratings jumped for the WNBA All-Star Game on ABC last weekend.
Joe Favorito says Baseball’s governing body is now using social media to its advantage.
Bob’s Blitz has an interesting story of a former cameraman and ESPN director who got a lucky cell phone and has been living the life of a celebrity.
Ben Koo of Awful Announcing notes that the Pac-12 Networks will further fragment sports on cable.
Overseas, this is big news. John Plunkett of the London Guardian says BBC Sport is letting go of most of its Formula 1 contract and satellite provider Sky Sports will pick up a lion’s share of races starting next year. That would be as if Fox decided to allow DirecTV to take over most of the NASCAR contract.
Ben Gallop of BBC’s motorsports division explains why the decision was made.
East & Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe feels melancholy over the loss of HBO’s Hard Knocks, a victim of the NFL lockout this season.
At SB Nation, Kat Hasenauer Cornetta says women are still trying to get a foothold in the Boston sports media.
Newsday’s Neil Best says Derek Jeter finally opened up a bit in the HBO documentary that premiered this week.
At the New York Post, Phil Mushnick warns to be careful what you wish for in wanting replay review in baseball.
Mike Battaglino of the Post notes that there will be no edition of Hard Knocks this season.
Justin Terranova writes that the NFL TV’s partners were never worried about losing games to the lockout.
A couple of more stories from the Post. Tim Bontemps from the Post says Derek Jeter agreed to do the HBO documentary on his quest for 3,000 hits so his future children could see him at work.
Justin has five questions for the producer of the HBO Jeter documentary.
Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union writes that the premiere of NBC’s Summer at Saratoga series did quite well.
On Thursday, Pete, the lovely Rachel Cohen of the Associated Press and your humble blogger were invited to ESPN to talk to several of the network’s production staff and then interview Norby Williamson, the network’s Vice President of Studio and Event Production. Pete has a story on that visit.
Pete Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News writes about the contentious relationship between NFL Network and NFL Films.
To the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog and Dan Steinberg who notes that local talk show host John Riggins isn’t optimistic about DC NFL team coach Mike Shanahan’s chances this year.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says MLB Network will be all over the Trading Deadline this weekend.
South
Jared Hunt from the Charleston (WV) Daily Mail profiles CBS golf producer Lance Barrow as he helms the network’s broadcasts of the Greenbrier Classic this weekend.
Cindy Watts of The Tennessean talks about country star Kenny Chesney writing and performing the theme song for a new ESPN series.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says NFL Films founder Ed Sabol is deservedly getting the NFL Films treatment in a new documentary celebrating his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
David talks about the lack of a Hard Knocks series this season.
Rick Cantu and Kirk Bohis of the Austin (TX) American-Statesman says ESPN approached several high schools about putting their games on the Longhorn Network.
Mel Bracht from the Daily Oklahoman talks with ESPN college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit about the upcoming season.
Mel finds the real reason why Herbstreit chose to move his family away from his native Columbus, OH to Tennessee.
Midwest
Michael Zuidema from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with former NFL’er and current TV analyst Ray Bentley about the 1987 NFL strike.
Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel finds some interesting Brewers anecdotes in the new Curt Smith book.
Brian Hamilton of the Chicago Tribune interviews ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit.
Over to the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin where Paul Christian notes that ex-Minnesota Golden Gopher coaches keep finding their way to television.
West
Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune says former Utah Jazz player Matt Harpring has made the successful transition to the TV booth.
John Maffei of the North County Times understands why Mexican government ads must be played on a local sports radio station, but it doesn’t mean he has to like them.
Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News looks at the new batch of ESPN Films documentaries that will be released later this year.
Tom has Fox Sports/MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal still being wary of Twitter.
Tom talks with Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott about his whirlwind tenure that has left the league with a pocketful of riches.
Tom has more on the Pac-12 Network announcement aftermath.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail says the father of new Blue Jay Colby Ramus is using the local media to blast St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa.
And that will do it for today.
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