Soccer
ESPN’s Farewell to the EPL and Ian Darke and Steve McNanaman Complete with Outtakes
ESPN2 said its goodbyes today to the English Premier League. In its three years, ESPN2 has had a few good matches and most of them called by the great Ian Darke and Steve McNanaman. In the final moments of its run, ESPN2 gave us some outtakes of the pair. Great stuff.
Coming up later, I’ll write on the transition of the English Premier League from Fox to NBC.
Fox Soccer and ESPN Combine for Their Last EPL “Survival Sunday”
Last year, Fox Soccer gave soccer fans a true smorgasbord of English Premier League coverage on the final Sunday of the regular season. Utilizing Fox Soccer, Fox Soccer Plus, Fox Sports Net, Speed, FX, FoxSoccer.com, FoxSoccer2Go as well as ESPN2, fans had access to all of the games as teams positioned for European honors, cash and avoidance of relegation.
This season as Fox Soccer and ESPN end their relationship with the English Premier League at least for the next three years, games will be seen on Fox Soccer, Fox Soccer Plus, FoxSoccer.com, FoxSoccer2Go and ESPN. Most of the ten games on Sunday will be streamed online. Four of the games will be seen on TV.
In addition, we say goodbye to the excellent Goals on Sunday which really ramped up when Rob Stone joined Fox Soccer.
We have the schedule of games below.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE SEASON WRAPS SUNDAY WITH NINE LIVE MATCHES PRESENTED BY FOX SOCCER
Last-Minute Drama Expected as Chelsea, Tottenham & Arsenal Battle for European Honors Features Include David Beckham Interview & Martin Tyler Essay
Los Angeles – Every year on the final day of the English Premier League season, the 20 teams from the world’s top domestic soccer competition play each other in a frantic 10-match race for financial reward, hardware and European honors.
This year, FOX Soccer, FOX Sports Net and FOX Soccer Plus, together with digital platforms FOXSoccer.com and FOX Soccer 2Go, carry nine of the day’s 10 matches live, on Sunday, May 19 at 11:00 AM ET. Pre-match coverage begins at 10:30 AM ET on FOX Soccer, followed by coverage of Tottenham vs. Sunderland. The Spurs’ season comes down to this: a must-win match at White Hart Lane, plus help from other match results, in order to give them the fourth-place finish and a coveted Champions League berth. Simultaneously, FOX Soccer Plus carries UEFA Europa League champions Chelsea against Everton, who is still without a manager after former manager David Moyes replaced the retired Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.
The final day of the Barclays Premier League season has drama and passion for all fans and teams involved. While Manchester United revels in glory as the League’s newly crowned champion, and the bottom three teams, Wigan Athletic, Reading and Queens Park Rangers, lament their relegation to the lower division, the battle for European qualification spots lives until the last whistle on Sunday.
The top four clubs in the Barclays Premier League earn UEFA Champions League qualification, receiving a potential reward of $75 million and the right to play in the world’s most prestigious club tournament. Pending the results of other domestic competitions, the fifth, sixth and seventh places in the Premier League also hold much significance. Once Sunday’s results are in, the holders of those spots qualify for the UEFA Europa League, a continent-wide knockout tournament with more than 40 years of history and tradition. Beginning this fall, 2013-2014 Europa League and Champions League contests air live on FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network, launching August 17.
After the matches, the series finale of Goals on Sunday airs at 1:30 PM ET on FOX Soccer, with a feature on Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs, one of the best players to ever play in the Premier League, as well as an interview with David Beckham following his announcement to retire at the end of the season. The show also takes a look back at the English Premier League on FOX Soccer and includes a Martin Tyler essay highlighting his favorite memories.
MAY 19 MATCHES
Tottenham v Sunderland
FOX Soccer/10:30 AM ETChelsea v Everton
FOX Soccer Plus/10:30 AM ETWest Brom v Manchester Utd.
FOX Sports Net/10:30 AM ETLiverpool v Queens Park Rangers
FOXSoccer.com/11:00 AM ETManchester City v Norwich City
FOXSoccer.com/11:00 AM ETSouthampton v Stoke City
FOXSoccer2Go/11:00 AM ETSwansea City v Fulham
FOXSoccer2Go/11:00 AM ETWest Ham v Reading
FOXSoccer2Go/11:00 AM ETWigan v Aston Villa
FOXSoccer2Go/11:00 AM ETNewcastle v Arsenal
ESPN/11:00 AM ET
That will do it.
ESPN FC Becomes A Daily Show
Unveiled at the ESPN Upfronts in New York City is a new daily soccer-centric show. Titled ESPN FC after the website of the same name, the show will air Sunday through Friday, mostly on ESPN2. It will premiere on August 11.
Even though ESPN will no longer air the English Premier League, the show will report on the latest information regarding the world’s most popular sport as well as offer analysis and discussion on late breaking news.
It marks the first daily show devoted to the beautiful game on the network. No word on a host as of yet, but Max Bretos and Adrian Healey would be leading candidates.
Here’s the ESPN press release.
ESPN to Launch Daily Soccer Studio Program
30-minute News and Highlights Show Debuts August 11 as Extension of ESPN FC
ESPN will extend the company’s ESPNFC.com global soccer news and information digital brand with its first highlights-driven soccer studio show airing in the United States this summer. ESPN FC on TV will air year round (Sunday through Friday, primarily on ESPN2) beginning August 11, it was announced today at the company’s Upfront presentation in New York City.
The ESPN FC program will integrate several elements of the digital platform’s content via social media, the industry-leading ESPN Stats & Information Group’s data visualization analysis, and more. Digital versions of the program will be available on ESPNFC.com.
“Soccer’s popularity is at an all-time high in the United States as fans are now more familiar with the world’s top players, marquee clubs and national teams. ESPN FC on TV continues our leadership role in coverage of the sport across all media,” said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN senior vice president for programming.
Planned ESPN FC TV highlights:
- A daily destination show that will offer U.S. fans “need-to-know” soccer news and information from across the globe;
- Employ ESPN FC’s global reporters, columnists and team bloggers for breaking news, rumors and player-transfer news, focusing primarily on the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Spain’s La Liga, Major League Soccer, U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team and the Mexican National Team;
- In-depth analysis and opinion-based discussion of topical issues in soccer featuring a rotation of seasoned pundits with diverse perspectives;
- Interviews with newsmakers, and timely features and profiles of key personalities in the sport;
- Previews of key matches throughout the soccer calendar year (eg. El Clásico, Manchester Derby, top-tier UEFA Champions League matchups, select FIFA World Cup qualifying matchups such as USA vs. Mexico, and more).
“ESPN FC will inform, entertain and provide hard-hitting insight on the global sport of soccer,” added Guglielmino. “It will become ESPN’s signature program for soccer, bringing tremendous value to the company, our affiliates and the ad sales community looking to reach core and casual soccer fans in the United States.”
Sunday editions of ESPN FC will be a one-hour program – wrapping up the best highlights from the weekend’s soccer action while looking ahead to what the results mean to the teams and their respective leagues. Monday through Friday, the program will air for 30 minutes each day. ESPN FC on TV will replace the ESPN FC Press Pass, the global soccer discussion program on ESPNEWS, in the United States.
There you have it.
NBC Unveils Its Plans for the English Premier League
In a Hollywood-style production in New York on Tuesday, NBC announced its coverage plans for the English Premier League starting this August. NBC says it will carry all 380 games of the 2013-14 season on the NBC Sports Group. Most will be carried on NBC Sports Network with others being carried on CNBC, USA and NBC. Telemundo and mun2 will also receive a number of games. Those games not carried on one of those networks will be seen on a new channel for English Premier League games only called “Premier League Extra Time” which will be offered to cable and satellite providers at “no extra charge” as long as they carry NBC Sports Network.
All games will be streamed on the NBC Sports Live Extra app.
In addition to the games, NBC Sports Group will have various studio programming including Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2 which will be modeled after BBC’s venerable soccer programs of the same name.
NBC Sports Network will have a Saturday morning doubleheader with games at 7 and 10 a.m. ET. NBC will take Saturday midday games at 12:30 p.m. ET.
On Sundays, NBCSN will air Sunday games at 8 and 11 a.m. ET. And NBCSN will also air Monday and various midweek afternoon games at 2:30 p.m. ET.
Here’s the breakdown of EPL games on NBC Sports Group.
And we have the official press release for you.
NBC SPORTS GROUP’S 2013-14 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE PROGRAMMING PLANS
Live Multi-Platform Coverage of All 380 Matches
Matches to Air Live on NBC, NBC Sports Network, Telemundo, Mun2, Premier League Extra Time, NBC Sports Live Extra and Other NBCUniversal Channels
All 10 Matches on Championship Sunday – May 11, 2014 – Available Live on an NBCUniversal Television Channel
More than 600 Hours of Original and Weekly Studio Programming on NBC Sports NetworkNew York – April 16, 2013 – All 380 games of the 2013-14 English Premier League season will be presented live on NBC Sports Group’s television and digital properties as well as other NBCUniversal channels. NBC Sports Group’s schedule, which begins on Saturday, August 17, includes live matches on NBC, NBC Sports Network, Telemundo, Mun2, the Premier League Extra Time package of overflow television channels, the NBC Sports Live Extra website and app, and other NBCUniversal channels including CNBC and USA.
As previously announced in October 2012, NBCUniversal, via the NBC Sports Group, acquired the exclusive U.S. media rights to the Premier League through a multi-year agreement that begins with the 2013-14 season. Per the agreement, NBCUniversal becomes the exclusive English- and Spanish-language media rights holder to all 380 English Premier League matches across all media platforms and devices in the United States.
Details of the 2013-2014 NBC Sports Group Premier League programming include:
- All 380 matches presented live on television with studio pre- and post-game coverage;
- All 380 matches streamed live via NBC Sports Live Extra;
- Games not aired on a designated NBCUniversal channel will be made available to distributors via Premier League Extra Time, a package of overflow television channels available at no extra cost for each of their customers who receives NBC Sports Network;
- Championship Sunday – May 11, 2014, when all 10 Premier League matches will be available live on a different NBCUniversal channel;
- 76 Spanish-language telecasts, 10 on Telemundo, 66 on Mun2;
- More than 600 hours of Premier League original programming.
NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA: Every English Premier League match will be streamed live via NBC Sports Live Extra, the NBC Sports Group’s live streaming product for desktop, mobile and tablets and, in most cases, on the digital platforms of participating cable, satellite, telco and other video subscription services. The vast majority of English Premier League matches will be streamed via “TV Everywhere,” available on an authenticated basis to subscribers of these services.
NBC Sports Live Extra provides a primary and second screen experience across mobile, tablet and desktop, delivering high quality video, match/player stats and video highlights while aggregating Premier League content from social media.
PREMIER LEAGUE EXTRA TIME: All games not aired on a designated NBCUniversal channel will be made available to distributors on Premier League Extra Time, a package of overflow television channels available at no extra cost for each of their customers who receives NBC Sports Network.
CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY: The biggest day on the Premier League schedule is the last day of the season when all 20 teams play at the same time. NBCUniversal will present each match of Championship Sunday live across a host of NBCU channels, including NBC, NBCSN, CNBC, USA, MSNBC, E! and more.
STUDIO AND ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING: NBC Sports Network will present more than 600 hours each year of studio and original programming surrounding Premier League. Shows include:
- Premier League Countdown – A preview of the 2013-14 Barclays Premier League season;
- Premier League Download – With the help of a number of high-profile celebrity supporters, comedians and journalists, Premier League Download will explore what it is that’s so intensely loved – and loathed – about England’s topflight league. Long-time supporters will enjoy the lively commentary, while new fans will learn the language of the only league that matters;
- Premier League 36 – NBC Sports Network’s acclaimed 36 series that follows athletes for the 36 hours leading up to a game/match/race comes to the Premier League;
- Premier League Goal Zone – A 30-minute program airing after the matches on Sunday with highlights of all the goals scored on Saturday and Sunday;
- Game Cut-Downs – On Monday nights, NBCSN will present a two-hour show featuring cut-down versions of the Manchester United and Manchester City matches. On Tuesdays, a two-hour program will feature the Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham matches;
- Match of the Day – A two-hour show featuring extended highlights with the natural calls of every game on Saturday. This show is modeled after the highly-regarded BBC show of the same name. Match of the Day will re-air on Sunday mornings;
- Match of the Day 2 – A 90-minute show featuring extended highlights with the natural calls of every game on Sunday. This show is modeled after the BBC show of the same name;
- Match of the Week – On Sunday nights, NBCSN will re-air the best match of the weekend in its entirety;
- Barclays Premier League World – A weekly magazine show produced by Premier League;
- Barclays Premier League Preview – A weekly show produced by Premier League that previews the upcoming week’s matches;
- Barclays Premier League Review – A weekly show produced by Premier League that recaps all the matches from the past week.
TYPICAL WEEKLY PROGRAMMING GRID (All games live; All times ET)
Saturday Sunday Monday/Midweek 7 a.m. – NBCSN 8 a.m. – NBCSN 2:30 p.m. – NBCSN 10 a.m. – NBCSN 11 a.m. – NBCSN/Telemundo 12:30 p.m. – NBC
USA-Mexico World Cup Qualifier Draws Good Overnight Numbers for ESPN
This from ESPN PR maven Mike Soltys:
USA/Mexico big overnight (1.6).When final rating comes in, expected to be our highest rated World Cup qualifier.
— Mike Soltys (@espnmikes) March 27, 2013
Thanks to a wintry night on Friday for the USA-Costa Rica World Cup Qualifier which the Americans won, 1-0, it drew interest for Tuesday night’s game in Mexico. And as the US managed a scoreless draw which kept them in the third position in their CONCACAF group, the overnight number for a game that began at 10:30 p.m. ET drew a very good 1.6 for soccer as it will becomes the highest rated World Cup Qualifier on the ESPN Family.
From fellow ESPN PR maven Mac Nwulu we learn that US-Mexico smashed the previous high for a World Cup Qualifier.
Never b4 for WCQ or friendly! Next best – 0.7 rtg for USA-JAM ’97 & USA-MEX ’09RT ?@thegoalkeeper … last time the #USMNT cracked 1.0?
— Mac Nwulu (@MacN_ESPN) March 27, 2013
We’ll get the final ratings later today and I’m sure ESPN will put out a press release.
NBC Taps The UK’s Rebecca Lowe as English Premier League Host
If you’ve watched ESPN’s international soccer coverage over the past few years, then you’ve probably seen Rebecca Lowe on its Women’s World Cup and UEFA Euro Cup studio programming. If you’ve lived in the UK over the past several years, then you’ve seen a lot of her.
Coming in August, Stateside fans will see Rebecca Lowe every weekend on NBC Sports Network as the Peacock has hired her to become the host of English Premier League games. This is a very good move. Rebecca is a very good presenter (the term used in the UK for host) and has good knowledge of the beautiful game.
She’s worked at the BBC, in particular on soccer and on its venerable Match of the Day recap shows, Setanta Sports and then for ESPN UK when it took over Setanta’s contract for the EPL. She became the first female host of FA Cup matches in the UK and has had a high profile in England.
Now she’ll be moving to the United States to host the English Premier League broadcasts for NBC Sports Network. We have the announcement below.
REBECCA LOWE TO SERVE AS HOST OF PREMIER LEAGUE FOR NBC SPORTS GROUP
Lowe to Relocate to U.S. and Host Coverage from NBC Sports Group’s International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn.
New York – March 26, 2013 – Rebecca Lowe, who currently serves as co-host of ESPN UK’s coverage of Premier League soccer, has signed a multi-year agreement with NBC Sports Group to serve as its host of the Premier League beginning in August, it was announced today.
Lowe will relocate to the U.S. this summer, and will host Premier League coverage from NBC Sports Group’s new state-of-the-art International Broadcast Center in Stamford, Conn. Additional talent announcements for NBC Sports Group’s Premier League coverage will be announced at a later date.
“I’m about to begin the most exciting chapter of my life,” said Lowe. “Joining NBC to present the Premier League is an enormous privilege. Not only do I get to combine my love of football and of TV presenting, but I’m getting the chance to do that in a new country, which poses a real challenge. I’m impatient for the summer to come, and inspired by NBC’s outlook on putting live football on the telly…as we say in England.”
“Rebecca has the perfect combination of soccer knowledge and perspective to lead our viewers through all the drama and excitement of Premier League,” said Pierre Moossa, Coordinating Producer, NBC Sports Group Soccer. “When we started the talent search, Rebecca was our top choice as host, and we are extremely fortunate to have her join our team”
Lowe joined ESPN UK in 2009 to co-host its Premier League matches as well as its FA Cup coverage, and co-anchor Between the Lines, a football debate and opinion program. Lowe co-hosted ESPN’s coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011, in Germany, and its Euro 2012 coverage from Bristol, Conn. In May, 2012, Lowe became the first woman in UK history to host the FA Cup Final – a six-hour live broadcast from Wembley Stadium. Lowe will conclude her Premier League and FA Cup duties with ESPN UK in May.
Prior to her work with ESPN UK, Lowe was a presenter and reporter for Setanta Sports (2007-2009), and a host for Setanta’s coverage of the Football Conference. She also co-hosted Football Matters, Setanta’s Premier League studio program.
Lowe’s sports-television career began when won the 2002 BBC Talent Search for a football reporter, from a field of 650 candidates. While at the BBC – from 2002-2007 – Lowe contributed to the network’s soccer programming, including reporting for Final Score from a key Premiership match each Saturday; contributing features and reporting for Football Focus; and presenting a lifestyle feature each Sunday morning on Match of the Day called “Football in the Community.”
Additionally, Lowe reported for BBC Two at the 2004 African World Cup of Nations, in Tunisia, and in 2005, was the Team England reporter from the Women’s European Championships in Manchester for BBC One. She also covered the FA Women’s Cup Final (2003-2007) and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany for BBC One.
# # #
NBCUniversal, via the NBC Sports Group, has acquired the exclusive U.S. media rights to the Premier League through a multi-year agreement that begins with the 2013-14 season. Per the agreement, NBCUniversal becomes the exclusive English- and Spanish-language media rights holder to all 380 Premier League matches across all platforms and devices in the United States.
Each of the 20 Premier League teams plays 38 matches over a 41-week period from August to May. Although specific programming details will be announced soon, NBC, NBC Sports Network, and NBCSports.com will all be utilized to present live Premier League coverage, as well as Telemundo and mun2 for Spanish-language coverage. Additional NBCUniversal platforms and networks will occasionally be scheduled to air Premier League matches, while NBC Sports Live Extra will provide the live streaming platform across web, tablet and mobile devices.
NBC Sports Group will also produce comprehensive shoulder programming around its live-event coverage of the Premier League, including pre- and post-match shows, as well as highlight and weekly wrap-up programs. It is also developing a package to make sure the most avid fans have access to every Premier League match.
That’s it.
What You’ll See on Fox Sports 1
So Fox Sports 1 has been officially announced? What’s next? The launch on Saturday, August 17 which will include a NASCAR Truck Series race and a UFC card.
During the event that introduced US version of Fox Sports 1 to the world (let’s not forget the original Fox Sports 1 in Australia), we learned that the network has been built upon what Fox is calling “7 Sports Pillars,” College Basketball, College Football, MLB, NASCAR, NFL, Soccer and UFC fights.
Let’s go over what each pillar will bring to Fox Sports 1.
College Basketball
While it was not formally announced on Tuesday, we can expect Fox Sports 1 to be the official cable home of the new Big East, those “Catholic 7″ basketball-only schools to be joined by Butler and Xavier from the A-10 and maybe even Creighton from the Missouri Valley. The new Big East will join the Big 12, Conference USA and Pac-12 on Fox Sports 1. Expect to see basketball games in the winter on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
College Football
Games from C-USA, the Big 12 and Pac-12 will be on Thursday nights as well as triple and quadrupleheaders on Saturdays. In addition, Erin Andrews will host a Saturday morning pregame show on FS1. The Fox Mothership will continue to air college football games on Saturday nights. The 2013 schedule for Fox includes Notre Dame at Stanford as well as the Big Ten Championship and the Cotton Bowl.
MLB
In 2014, Fox’s new contract with Major League Baseball kicks in. Fox Sports 1 will air a full schedule of 26 regular season games which will include games from its Fox Sports Net affiliates. Expect to see plenty of the New York Yankees from YES, the Anaheim Angels from Fox Sports West and the Texas Rangers from Fox Sports Southwest. In addition, Fox Sports 1 will carry two League Division Series and a number of League Championship Series. The LCS was the latest development. Fox’s broadcast schedule will reduce from 24 regular season games this year to 12 in 2014. Fox will still carry the All-Star Game, most of the LCS and the entire World Series.
NASCAR
As Speed converts to Fox Sports 1, its NASCAR coverage will carryover to FS1. This will include the entire Camping World Truck Series and the familiar NASCAR RaceDay and NASCAR Victory Lane programs from Speed. In 2015, selected Sprint Cup races will move to Fox Sports 1 as will the All-Star race. The Daytona 500 Speedweeks festivities which include the Twin 125′s and the Duel will be aired on FS 1.
NFL
While Fox Sports 1 doesn’t have the rights to show games, it will have a daily program, Fox Football Daily which will include the cast of Fox NFL Sunday. The show will air daily at 6 p.m. ET. Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Jay Glazer, Gus Johnson, Erin Andrews and Mike Pereira are listed as participants, but as the show evolves, this falls under the category “subject to change.” This show will premiere when Fox Sports 1 launches in August.
Soccer
It’s expected that Fox will do away with Fox Soccer and convert it to FX2, an all-entertainment channel. With the loss of the English Premier League to NBC, Fox will move the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup and CONCACAF events to Fox Sports 1. UEFA Champions League and Europa League will be aired on Tuesday through Thursday afternoons. And when Fox’s contract with FIFA begins in 2015, Fox Sports 1 will air Women’s World Cup games that year and in 2019 and the men in 2018 and 2022. Other soccer leagues that were part of Fox Soccer Plus can be expected to be dispersed to Fox Sports 2 when that channel launches at a later date.
UFC
On Fox Sports 1′s launch date in August, a UFC card will be aired. Also, Fox Sports 1 will be the home to UFC programming on Wednesday nights. During Super Bowl XLVIII week, Fox Sports 1 is expected to have a card the night before the Big Game. Super Bowl Saturday normally has a UFC pay per view, but it’s expected to be aired on FS1 in 2014.
ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING
The news about Regis Philbin was confirmed on Monday during his appearance on of all places, “The View.” Regis will be host of “Rush Hour” which will have a panel of guests from the media, sports and fandom. This will air at 5 p.m. ET and lead into Fox Football Daily.
At 11 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1 will air Fox Sports Live, the challenger to ESPN’s venerable SportsCenter. According to the Fox Sports executives, the network will invest heavily into a newsgathering operation that will produce a nightly program that will review the day’s events. A morning edition of Fox Sports Live will begin airing in January.
The Fox Sports Net affiliates and local Fox TV stations will be encouraged to contribute reports to Fox Sports Live.
OTHER FEATURES
It’s been seen on the Cotton Bowl and on the Daytona 500, the double box that will air commercials and also show live action so viewers don’t miss anything. Reviews on this has been mixed thus far, but I expect this to win fans over during NASCAR coverage.
Fox Sports Go will be an mobile and tablet app that will stream live events from Fox Sports, Fox Sports 1 and the Fox Sports Net affiliates. Subscribers to participating cable and satellite providers will have to authenticate in order to watch the events on their mobile device.
And there in a nutshell is what you’ll see on Fox Sports 1 when it launches on August 17.
Quick Mid-Week Links
I’ll do some linkage here.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says Dick Vitale finally gets to call the NCAA Final Four, but for an international audience.
John Ourand at Sports Business Daily reports that Fox is in talks with Regis Philbin to host a show on Fox Sports 1.
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report wonders if having Gus Johnson on the World Cup will work for Fox.
Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter talks with CBS Sports Head Honcho Sean McManus about the network’s handling of Super Bowl XLVII.
Rick Kissell at Variety says the Super Bowl put CBS on top of the 18-49 ratings demographic and probably put it there to stay for the rest of the TV season.
George Winslow of Broadcasting & Cable says online streaming of the Super Bowl set a record.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News has NBC looking forward to the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Anthony CrupiCrupiCrupi of Adweek says CBS did not experience a post-Super Bowl bounce on Monday.
Brian Steinberg of Advertising Age notes that Fox is already pitching advertisers for Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey.
Bill Cromwell from Media Life Magazine says Budweiser’s touching Clydesdale Super Bowl ad was the most popular among the publication’s readers.
Jeff Pfeiffer at Channel Guide says Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl received its highest ratings ever on Sunday.
The Nielsen Wire blog has the final viewing numbers for Super Bowl XLVII on CBS. Still close to my prediction of 108.2 million.
The Tampa Bay Times’ Eric Deggans writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says CBS failed to address the main issues facing the National Football League before, during and after its Super Bowl broadcast.
Brandon Costa of Sports Video Group says ESPN has blanketed the country with satellite trucks in order to cover National Signing Day today.
ESPN’s Darren Rovell asks if movie ads were the true winners on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn writes that former Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield will co-host a new reality show on MLB Network. Wait until you read about the premise.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC will begin its Olympics coverage from Sochi a day early.
Newsday’s Neil Best says Lindsay Vonn’s injury at the FIS Alpine Skiing World Championships put a damper on NBC’s Olympic media kickoff event on Tuesday.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette says Time Warner Cable has added MSG Plus and MSG Plus 2 in the Capital Region.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union notes that Tennis Channel will air Rafael Nadal’s return to tennis today.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call feels CBS did not step up to the magnitude of Super Bowl XLVII.
David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun says some local TV stations did not distinguish themselves during coverage of the Ravens Championship Parade.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros are changing radio stations.
Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman says Super Bowl XLVII set a local ratings record.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the Reds will remain on its flagship station and with it, air more Spring Training games.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says on his weekly radio show appearance, Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers offered the olive branch to Brett Favre.
Danny Ecker from Crain’s Chicago Business looks at how Windy City businesses fared during Sunday’s Super Bowl.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News looks into Fox’s announcement of using Gus Johnson on soccer.
The Toronto Globe and Mail runs a Canadian Press story reporting that former pitcher Jack Morris will become a Blue Jays TV and radio analyst.
The Canadian Sports Media blog wasn’t happy about CTV cutting off Super Bowl coverage early for the second year in a row.
EPL Talk is not thrilled about having Gus Johnson on soccer.
Jason McIntyre at The Big Lead says SportsNation co-host Charissa Thompson has a new boyfriend and he works with the Alleged Worldwide Leader as well.
In Awful Announcing, Allen Kenney writes that due to ESPN’s high college football rights fees, Disney’s profits fell in the first quarter of its fiscal year.
Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth looks at the coverage that National Signing Day is receiving.
And that will conclude our linkage.
Gus Johnson To Call International Soccer For Fox
This coming into the Fang’s Bites inbox and a little bit of a surprise. First, we began hearing that Gus Johnson was calling MLS games over the past couple of years. And Deadspin has video of one of his games from last year. Privately, I was thinking that Fox could utilize Gus on the World Cup. Then today, Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch reports that Fox is grooming Johnson to not only call World Cup games, but be THE Voice of the World Cup.
In fact, Gus’ first international soccer assignment will be next Wednesday in a UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Real Madrid and Manchester United on Fox Soccer. This will be the first case of Fox utilizing its own talent instead of relying on the Sky Sports or the International feed for the Champions League.
In addition to the Champions League, Fox will utilize Gus on the English Premier League in this last year of its contract and also on the FA Cup.
For the Champions League game, Fox will team Gus with studio analyst Warren Barton.
For the 2006 World Cup in Germany, ESPN utilized the miscast Dave O’Brien as the main voice and both the network and O’Brien were criticized for his lack of knowledge. Since 2006, ESPN has gone the European route for international soccer and NBC Sports tapped Brit Arlo White for MLS. We’ll see how the soccer community which can be very militant about announcers, embraces Johnson.
Here’s the press release.
FOX SPORTS’ GUS JOHNSON TO CALL HIS FIRST-EVER MATCH FOR FOX SOCCER
Accomplished, Veteran Sportscaster Puts 18-Months of Study into Practice on Feb. 13 Calling Real Madrid-Manchester United
Los Angeles – One of America’s most distinctive and dynamic sportscasters calls his first-ever match for FOX Soccer on Wednesday, Feb. 13 when FOX Sports renowned play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson calls the highly anticipated UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match between Real Madrid and Manchester United, live from Madrid’s Estadio Santiago Bernabéu at 2:00 PM ET. The assignment is the first in a series of Barclays Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League matches Johnson is expected to call, including the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League Finals, May 11 and 25, respectively, on FOX.
Johnson, who has become a household name among sports fans for his memorable calls and signature catchphrases, has spent most of his career covering professional and collegiate sports, including football, basketball, baseball and boxing, among others. Calling soccer, however, is a relatively new undertaking.
“Over the past 20 years Gus has cemented himself as an iconic American sports broadcaster, and we’re thrilled to welcome his style to the world soccer stage,” said David Nathanson, Executive Vice President and General Manager of FOX Soccer. “Gus has spent the last year-and-a-half getting ready to call what is a new sport for him, and I applaud the work, study and time he’s devoted to his preparation. He respects how passionate and knowledgeable the soccer fan is, and while his education continues, he’s ready to lend his classic American voice to the world’s biggest sport.”
Since accepting this new challenge, Johnson has tapped several resources in his effort to learn as much as possible in such a short period of time. He called over a dozen MLS games on radio, mostly those of the San Jose Earthquakes; he has played pick-up soccer games in a park near his Manhattan home; spent several weeks in Europe last season attending games and conversing at length with Sky Sports executives and world-class football play-by-play announcer Martin Tyler. In Madrid, Johnson is partnering with FOX Soccer analyst Warren Barton, who in his playing days appeared in more than 300 Premier League matches. Barton, along with former players Eric Wynalda and Cobi Jones have aided Johnson tremendously in his soccer broadcasting education, collaborating with him on numerous practice telecasts under the tutelage of FOX Soccer Executive Producer Jonty Whitehead.
“No doubt that the followers of this sport are among the most passionate, knowledgeable fans in the world, and I’m a newcomer,” said Johnson. “The effort to learn the sport and absorb its nuance has been a humbling experience. While I’ve put a lot of time into my preparation thus far, it’s definitely going to take a lot of reps before I’ve mastered soccer’s rhythm and pace, but I am determined to do so, and with all the support I’m receiving I have no doubt that I will.”
In addition to Johnson’s Feb. 13 assignment in Madrid, he’s scheduled to call another UEFA Champions League match, this one between Arsenal and Bayern Munich, on Feb. 19 with analyst Ray Clemence and a Barclays Premier League game featuring Manchester City and Chelsea on Feb. 24 with Lee Dixon as analyst.
Since joining FOX Sports in 2011 Johnson has been a staple of the network’s college football (Big Ten, Pac-12, Big 12, and Conference USA) and NFL productions. This past year, he has been on the call for memorable moments such as Texas A&M’s 41-13 trouncing of Oklahoma in the 77th Cotton Bowl Classic, USC’s high-scoring 62-51 loss to Oregon last November, and Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez’s 76-yard touchdown run in the 2012 Big Ten Championship game.
Let’s see how this works. I hope it will be successful. I know Gus has his detractors, but let’s see how he does next week before rushing to judgment.
Oh My! It’s The Return of The Linkage!
It’s been way too long since you’ve seen linkage on this site. This has been the main mission of Fang’s Bites since the beginning, but too often, I get roped into doing family stuff and it prevents me from getting on here until late.
I hope to rectify that. So without further delay, here’s the linkage.
I’ll begin with Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch who looks at tonight’s ESPN production of the BCS National Championship Game and he breaks news that former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine will co-host a daily NBC Sports Radio show.
From The Sherman Report, Ed Sherman talks with ESPN’s Brent Musburger about retirement.
John Ourand of Sports Business Journal says thanks to its parent company buying into YES Network, Fox Sports will have the rights to as many as 18 New York Yankees games for its national MLB broadcasts (for now, subscription required).
Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Daily writes that DirecTV is dropping NASCAR Hot Pass due to the high cost and low demand.
ESPN’s Darren Rovell reports that the “Catholic 7″, the breakaway basketball schools from the Big East, is negotiating a megabucks deal with Fox Sports.
Nathan Savin Scott of USA Today lists the best sports commercials of 2012.
Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News says tonight’s BCS Championship Game could set an all-time viewership record for ESPN and cable TV.
The extremely warped Anthony Crupi (he’ll even admit this) of Adweek writes that the NFL’s regular season ratings were down slightly from last year, but it delivers an audience unlike any other programming.
Friend of Fang’s Bites Michael McCarthy at Advertising Age notes that college football is close to passing baseball as the nation’s second most popular sport.
Natalie Zmuda of Ad Age says Pepsi wants to make you, yes you, part of its Super Bowl ad.
Mark J. Miller at BrandChannel notes how a Nike ad campaign helped to nudge the NHL into ending its lockout.
Toni Fitzgerald from Media Life Magazine wonders if the ratings will return for the NHL now that its lockout has been resolved.
SBNation’s Steve Lepore reports that Michelle Beadle’s new show, The Crossover, will replace NBC Sports Talk later this month.
David Rogers over at Awful Announcing scolds NHL Network for not covering one second of the end of the lockout.
At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Wheat Hotchkiss (I like this name) delves into ESPN’s production of the BCS National Championship Game in South Flordia.
EPL Talk reviews Fox’s first-ever broadcast of an FA Cup game.
Will Leitch at Sports on Earth says NBC Sports Network’s ratings may be low, but at least it’s trying to be the anti-ESPN.
Chad Finn from the Boston Globe writes about Bobby Valentine’s new foray into daily sports radio.
Brian Stelter at the New York Times says rising sports fees are causing cable providers to drop lower performing channels.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post needs to stop watching television.
Newsday’s Neil Best says there’s too much sports television and radio for the average fan to keep track of. Well put, Neil.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says Golf Channel has had to adjust its schedule for the weather-delayed Tournament of Champions.
Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says CBS Sports Radio has a home in the Hudson Valley.
Keith Groller with the Allentown (PA) Morning Call talks with an Eastern Pennsylvania native who’s been covering Notre Dame for the last six years.
David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun feels CBS did not get the job done covering yesterday’s Colts-Ravens game.
David says yesterday’s Colts-Ravens game received the highest rating in the Charm City since last year’s Super Bowl.
Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has the national media reaction to DC NFL Team head coach Mike Shanahan’s decision to keep quarterback Robert Griffin III on the field despite him seemingly being hurt until an injury that ended his game.
Dan says a local sports radio morning show now gets an opportunity on TV.
Tom Jones at the Tampa Bay Times has the winners and losers in the NHL Lockout.
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald has some info from ESPN on tonight’s BCS National Championship Game.
Mike Herndon of the Birmingham (AL) News says ESPN could not have asked for a better matchup in the BCS National Championship Game.
Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News looks into the behind-the-scenes for ESPN’s telecast of Alabama-Notre Dame.
David Barron with the Houston Chronicle says Saturday’s Bengals-Texans local rating matched last year’s Wild Card playoff game number.
David writes that former Houston Astros broadcaster Alan Ashby will return to the team as its TV analyst on Comcast SportsNet.
WDIV-TV in Detroit had the suspended Rob Parker from ESPN’s First Take in his first TV interview since he was taken off the air for his comments on DC NFL Team QB Robert Griffin III (starts at 6:15). h/t to Richard Deitsch for the link.
Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says a Rocky Mountain region sportscaster has plenty of memories that include the Broncos.
Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times writes that the NFL’s ratings have slipped a bit from last season, but they still remain king of all television.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the five things he learned from the weekend.
Tom also has the SoCal sports calendar for this week.
Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail asks with the NHL Lockout over, what’s in it for the fans?
Sports Media Watch notes that the overnight rating for the Cincinnati-Houston NFL Wild Card Game on NBC was up from last year.
SMW says NBC’s nightcap of Vikings-Packers was down slightly from last year.
SMW tells us that Seattle-Washington had the third highest overnight for an NFL Wild Card game since 1999.
And for Indy-Baltimore on CBS, the overnight number was very good.
And that’s going to be it for now.
FA Cup To Air On Fox Television Network
For the first time, the prestigious FA Cup will have games on US Broadcast Television. On two separate dates, Fox will air the FA Cup. On January 5, Fox will air a third round match between Manchester United and West Ham United live at noon ET.
Then in May, the network will air the FA Cup Final live from Wembley Stadium, also at noon ET.
Add this to the UEFA Champions League Final and various English Premier League games along with the FIFA World Cup contract in 2015 and Fox has increased its international soccer commitment.
We have the Fox Sports announcement for you.
FA CUP, WORLD’S OLDEST SOCCER TOURNAMENT, COMES TO U.S BROADCAST TELEVISION
FOX to air live third-round action on Jan. 5; Final on May 11
LOS ANGELES (December 18, 2012) – FA Cup, the world’s oldest soccer competition, is about to make history with its first live appearances ever on U.S. broadcast television when FOX Sports airs a third-round match next month and the final in May 2013.
The third-round match airs Saturday, Jan. 5 (12:00 PM ET) and features English Premier League teams West Ham United and 11-time FA Cup champion Manchester United, as both teams look to stay alive in the single-elimination tournament. The FA Cup Final is set to air live on FOX, Saturday, May 11, (12:00 PM ET), live from London’s legendary Wembley Stadium.
Over the last two seasons, FOX Sports has aired a combination of nine live and encore world-class matches from the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League in the U.S, averaging 1.5 million viewers each. The match on Jan. 5 marks the sixth time Manchester United and its star-studded offense, anchored by Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, have played on FOX in the last two years. Throughout the 2012-13 season, FOX Soccer and its premium network, FOX Soccer Plus, are home to more than 50 FA Cup matches as the exclusive U.S. rights holders.
“We are committed to bringing the world’s most storied competitions and prestigious matches to soccer fans across the nation,” said David Nathanson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, FOX Soccer. “By making history and bringing such a famous property to a broader audience on FOX, we are showcasing some of the most intriguing storylines in all of sports.”
Founded in 1871, the FA Cup is the world’s oldest soccer competition and one of the only single-elimination tournaments in the sport that matches lower-division teams with first-division clubs. Each year, amateur players and teams are tasked with defeating some of the game’s biggest names, often resulting in true David vs. Goliath battles and historic upsets. The FA Cup offers entry to any team in the top ten divisions of English soccer, with the 2011-12 tournament hosting more than 760 teams from across the country. Beginning with the third round, English Premier League teams join the competition to produce some of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament.
As the tournament’s most successful team in history, Manchester United is hoping to add to its 11 FA Cup titles under the direction of renowned manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The Red Devils finished last year’s tournament with an early exit in the fourth-round, losing to fierce EPL rival Liverpool FC 2-1 at Anfield. Newly promoted EPL side West Ham is also on the quest for more silverware, as the London-based club has won the tournament three times and finished second twice, most recently in 2006 when The Hammers lost on penalties (3-1) to Liverpool.
Last year’s tournament was also marked by a captivating FA Cup Final won by Chelsea over Liverpool 2-1, garnering 396,000 viewers on FOX Soccer. The Blues claimed their fourth FA Cup title in six years, capped by a winning goal from Didier Drogba – the only player to score in four consecutive FA Cup Final appearances. Each year, the winner of the FA Cup automatically qualifies for the UEFA Europa League.
Viewers can also see a repeat of the match later that day at 2:30 PM ET on FOX Soccer, followed by more live FA Cup third-round action when Swansea City takes on Arsenal Sunday, Jan. 6 at 8:25 AM ET.
There you have it.
ESPN is All Over MLS Cup 2012
This Saturday, ESPN will air the final game of the MLS season, MLS Cup 2012 live from Carson, CA as the Los Angeles Galaxy take on the Houston Dynamo.
Adrian Healey and Taylor Twellman will call the game on ESPN. Monica Gonzalez will work the sidelines. Max Bretos will host the broadcast with analysts Alexi Lalas, Kasey Keller and Alejandro Moreno of Chivas USA.
As this game marks the end of David Beckham’s career with the Galaxy, ESPN will air an interview with the long-time soccer star conducted by Julie Foudy.
ESPN will give MLS Cup 2012 big game coverage 19 cameras and 12 on-site commentators.
Here’s a preview from the Alleged Worldwide Leader.
MLS Cup 2012 on ESPN HD and WatchESPN
Landon Donovan and the Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Houston Dynamo Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET
David Beckham’s Last Competitive Match with Los Angeles Galaxy; SportsCenter Conversation with BeckhamESPN’s 17th season of televising Major League Soccer action will conclude with the live presentation of MLS Cup 2012 featuring three of the league’s best known stars – David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane – leading the Los Angeles Galaxy/strong> vs. Houston Dynamo, led by Brad Davis, on Saturday, Dec. 1, at 4:30 p.m. ET, from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The match will also be available on WatchESPN.
MLS Cup will be David Beckham’s last competitive match with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The former England National Team captain joined MLS and the Galaxy in July 2007. He will try to go out on top for the third time after leading Manchester United and Real Madrid FC to league titles in his final seasons in England and Spain, respectively. Beckham sat down this week for a one-on-one interview with ESPN’s Julie Foudy that will air on several editions of SportsCenter, beginning Thursday, Nov. 29, at 9 a.m.
Other MLS Cup 2012 Storylines:
- MLS Cup 2012 is a rematch of last year’s Cup in a 1-0 Galaxy victory over the Houston Dynamo;
- The Dynamo and the Galaxy are two of four Major League Soccer (MLS) teams with multiple championships;
- Los Angeles, in its record eighth MLS Cup, is seeking to be the second team with four MLS titles (joining DC United) and the third team to win consecutive MLS Cups (DC in 1996 and 1997; and Houston in 2006 and 2007);
- Alexi Lalas was Galaxy president and GM when Beckham arrived at the club from Real Madrid in 2007 – the first move by AEG (Galaxy’s parent company) to turn the Galaxy into what Lalas calls the “SuperClub;”
- ESPN’s lead match analyst Taylor Twellman, in his first MLS Cup TV booth role, was a leading MLS striker in the 2000s. Twellman and the New England Revolution played in the MLS Cup four times (2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007) – losing two times each to the Galaxy and Dynamo;
- Los Angeles Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena is seeking his fourth title after becoming the only manager in the MLS to win three championships last year;
- Houston Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear will join Arena with his third title if Houston wins on Sunday.
English-language Commentators:
- In the booth: Adrian Healey (play-by-play) and Taylor Twellman (analyst), both making their MLS Cup debut;
- Sideline reporter: Mónica González;
- Studio (from site): Host Max Bretos with analysts Alexi Lalas and Kasey Keller, joined by Chivas USA striker Alejandro Moreno.
MLS Cup 2012 TV highlights:
- 19 cameras, including two super slo-mo cameras, a steadicam, a Jib cam, two POV cameras, and the Goodyear blimp;
- Offside Line, which displays a virtual line affixed to the last defender on replays to show viewers whether the referee’s offside decision is accurate;
- On-site studio set with Bretos, Lalas, Keller and guest analyst Moreno;
- A David Beckham conversation – The former England captain and one of the most-popular stars in soccer sat down this week for an in-depth interview with ESPN’s Julie Foudy. Excerpts from the conversation will air pre-game;
- 12 commentators – In all, ESPN will have 12 commentators at the MLS Cup: Bretos, Gonzalez, Healey, Keller, Lalas, Moreno, Steve Nicol and Twellman (English); and Richard Mendez, Hernan Pereyra, Elmer Polanco, Jorge Ramos and Giovanni Savarese (Spanish)
ESPN Deportes Radio
ESPN Deportes Radio will provide live coverage of MLS Cup 2012 on Saturday, Dec. 1, beginning at 4 p.m. ET with a one-hour pre-match program. Soccer experts Jorge Ramos (play-by-play) and Hernan Pereyra (analysis) will call the match from the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Elmer Polanco and Noe Vasquez will report pitch-side. Ramos and Pereyra will kick off coverage on Friday, Nov. 30, with a special Jorge Ramos y Su Banda live show from the stadium at 4 p.m.
SportsCenter
On Thursday, Nov. 29, beginning with the 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET edition, SportsCenter will air a conversation with David Beckham – the former England National Team captain’s first extensive, one-on-one television interview since he announced last week that Saturday’s MLS Cup will be his last competitive match with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The interview was conducted by ESPN’s Julie Foudy, former U.S. Women’s National Team Captain and two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup and Olympic Gold winner.
Beginning Friday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m., through kickoff on Saturday, Dec. 1, all editions of ESPN’s flagship news program SportsCenter (ESPN and ESPNEWS) will feature MLS Cup 2012 segments – matchup previews, interviews with key players, et al – including reports and analysis from Carson, Calif., by booth commentators Healey and Twellman, as well as contributions by the studio team of Bretos, Lalas, Keller and Moreno.
ESPN Deportes Studio
ESPN’s 24-hour Spanish-language network will provide surround studio coverage of MLS Cup 2012. Highlights:
- ESPN Fútbol Center: ESPN Deportes’ program which provides in-depth “game around the game” reports, previews and analysis of marquee international soccer events, will feature MLS Cup 2012.
- ESPN Deportes SportsCenter: The flagship news, highlights and information program will present post-game analysis of MLS Cup 2012.
Additional Coverage:
- ESPNFC Press Pass (ESPNEWS, weekdays at 2 a.m. ET overnight): The ESPN international soccer debate and opinion program will feature a special MLS Cup edition on Friday. International versions of the program will also air on ESPN International networks across several regions.
- ESPN Deportes’ NACION ESPN, Spanish-language specific version of SportsNation, and Cronometro, the Spanish-language version of Around the Horn, will feature MLS Cup 2012 branded segments.
ESPN International
ESPN International will televise MLS Cup 2012 on ESPN networks in 120 countries and territories covering more than 47.8 million television homes including coverage Africa, Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Middle East, New Zealand, South America and the United Kingdom. The game will also be simulcast on ESPN’s international broadband platforms in the U.S., Australia, Brazil and Latin America.
ESPN Deportes’ MLS Spanish-language commentators Richard Mendez and Giovanni Savarese will be on-site to provide match commentaries for the MLS Cup 2012 on ESPN International’s Latin America networks. Other highlights:
- ESPNFC Press Pass Special – “Beckham’s Goodbye to Hollywood” (ESPN UK, Friday at 10 p.m. GMT): ESPN UK will air a one-hour special examining the midfielder’s six years with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Adrian Healey will host with former New England Revolution manager Steve Nicol, and guest appearances by Twellman, Lalas, and others. (The special will also air in more than 100 countries);
- International Studio Programming: Several ESPN International programs Capitanes en ESPN and SportsCenter (Latin America), ESPN Radio Formula (Dos Mexico), will provide coverage.
ESPN Digital Media
- ESPNFC.com soccer writers Jeff Carlisle and Roger Bennett will anchor the site’s coverage featuring key MLS Cup 2012 stories, including match previews, player profiles, matchup analysis and “Cover it Live” during the MLS Cup match. The digital service will also provide users with highlights and analysis, using the Match HQ as the definitive digital destination for the live event.
And that’s it.
Various Monday Links
Let’s do some linkage on this Monday.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch talks with TNT’s Charles Barkley about the next phase of his career.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today notes that Saturday nights are becoming a sports TV bastion.
Chris Chase at USA Today’s Game On blog has video of an NFL referee cursing which surprised CBS’ Kevin Harlan.
Liana B. Baker and Lisa Richwine of Reuters says US cable sports networks are in a scrum for ad dollars.
Kimberly Nordyke of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Time Warner SportsNet has signed Cox, but Comcast, DirecTV and Dish still remain holdouts.
Jon Lafayette of Broadcasting & Cable says Travel Channel has signed a deal with the NFL to produce a show on the Cleveland Browns traveling to road games.
E.J. Schultz of Advertising Age says despite the NHL lockout, hockey marketers are finding ways to find their target audience.
Media Life Magazine says CBS scored with Alabama-LSU in primetime on Saturday.
Chuck Ross at TV Week explains why baseball remains the greatest game despite its ratings.
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks with CBS/TNT’s Marv Albert about calling games at the age of 71.
Ed wonders where Michelle Beadle will fit in NBC Sports Network’s plans.
CBS Sports reports that Dallas Mavericks announcer Mark Followill got into a bike accident over the weekend.
Radio Ink notes that former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy has joined NBC Sports Radio as an analyst.
Digital TV Europe reports that Al Jazeera’s beIN Sport in France has obtained the rights to air NBA games along with the NFL it previously signed.
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes that NBC is going all in with soccer.
Phil Mushnick at the New York Post says Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York Road Runners should have admitted fault in attempting to run the NYC Marathon this past weekend.
Sarah Kogod of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that a Wizards beer ad featured an underaged 19 year old Bradley Beal.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner looks at the NBC deal to air English Premier League games starting in 2013.
Jodie Wagner of the Palm Beach Post talks with a local sports radio personality about working in the local market.
Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas says the Texas Rangers have announced their broadcast teams for next season.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle reports on the local sports radio ratings.
Jeff Balke of the Houston Press provides fans with ways to watch the Rockets for those who don’t have access to Comcast SportsNet Houston.
Neal Rubin at the Detroit News says a group hopes to land ESPN’s X Games for Motown.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Fox’s crew found a lot to praise about the Green Bay Packers.
Danny Ecker at Crain’s Chicago Business writes that the Big Ten Network continues to air the so-called non-revenue sports.
Paul M. Banks at the Chicago Sports Media Watch wonders why the Illinois Sports Facility Authority would hire a former TV reporter to run the agency.
John Vomhof, Jr. of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal provides a look at Fox Sports North’s new studios.
The Denver Post’s Dusty Saunders feels some sports broadcasters make predictions that can’t possibly come true.
Dusty says MLB is trying to spin the World Series ratings.
Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News writes about the last two holdouts for Time Warner SportsNet.
Tom has the SoCal sports calendar for this week.
Tom has the five things he learned over the weekend.
Sports Media Watch notes that while Alabama-LSU’s overnights were way down from last year, it still had impressive numbers for CBS.
That’s going to do it for now. Squeezed as many links as I could today.
Some Quick Thursday Links
I’ll do a few links on this Thursday. Can you believe it’s November already?
Michael Hiestand of USA Today says the NBA’s television partners are still setting their lineups as the season begins.
Hiestand reports that the Mitt Romney campaign is throwing a monkey wrench at ESPN in its attempts to get the GOP Presidential candidate to appear on the Mike & Mike radio show.
Sports Business Daily looks at some of the sports facilities in the Northeast that sustained damage due to Hurricane Sandy.
Patrick Rishe of Forbes says NBC is betting that soccer will produce eyeballs for NBC Sports Network.
Alex Ben Block of the Hollywood Reporter says Lakers fans are still shut out from seeing their team’s games on several cable and satellite providers.
R. Thomas Umstead of Multichannel News says TNT had to revise its NBA plans tonight after the Knicks-Nets game was canceled.
Anthony Crupi of Adweek talks with the polarizing Frank Caliendo about his move from Fox to ESPN.
Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says the World Series on Fox may have finished with its lowest ratings ever, but it was still able to gain a victory over NBC in the important 18-49 demographic.
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks with NBC/NFL Network’s Alex Flanagan about her crazy schedule during football season.
ESPN’s Darren Rovell goes over the New York City Marathon’s first live national TV coverage since the 1990′s.
Jonah Bromwich of the New York Times talks with Captain Blowhard about his new role on ESPN’s NBA Countdown.
Jerry Barmash of FishbowlNY notes that WFAN will begin its FM simulcast on Friday.
Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Goalkeeper blog talks with an NBC Sports exec about the acquisition of the English Premier League.
Dave Hughes of DCRTV writes in Press Box about Baltimore’s sports radio ratings.
Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says Comcast SportsNet has hired a replacement for the opening left behind by Kelli Johnson who left for CSN Houston last month.
LSUSports notes that Tiger alum Lolo Jones will be the celebrity prognosticator on College GameDay this Saturday.
Mike Graham at the Dallas Morning News discusses Texas Tech’s new media rights deal with Fox Sports.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle notes that the big cable and satellite providers have not made a deal with Comcast SportsNet for the Rockets games.
David said the Rockets’ season opener scored lower ratings as compared to last year.
The Oklahoman’s Mel Bracht talks with women’s basketball legend Nancy Lieberman about her new role as studio analyst for Thunder games.
Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch notes a former Indianapolis Colts cheerleader becoming a popular Windy City TV personality.
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says a Real Salt Lake MLS playoff game next week may not be on live TV.
Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times says the Lakers updated their fans on the carriage dispute between several providers and Time Warner SportsNet.
Joe Flint of the Times says uncertainty about the Los Angeles Dodgers’ TV rights is influencing the reluctance of cable and satellite providers in regards to picking up the Time Warner regional sports network.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the five things he learned over the last week.
Sports Media Watch says Hurricane Sandy may have affected the ratings for the Celtics-Heat NBA season opener on TNT.
Steve Lepore at SB Nation’s Puck The Media says English Premier League games on NBC Sports Group should compliment the NHL, not compete with it, whenever it returns from its dreaded lockout.
Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth looks at some various sports radio news from across the country.
The Big Lead notes that ABC is considering to option a sitcom based on ESPN’s Sage Steele.
And that will do it.
Some Tuesday Links
I hope those of you in the Mid-Atlantic states are ok after Hurricane Sandy. I’m lucky to still have power after yesterday’s gusts in Southern New England. I know many are not. Hopefully you’re ok after Sandy and you can start getting back to normal. Let’s do some linkage for you.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks about the World Series’ ratings.
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report wonders why the World Series ratings continue to decline.
Ed goes behind the scenes with ESPN’s Monday Night Football.
Ed has an interview with Jay “The Rat” Mariotti.
Michael O’Connell from the Hollywood Reporter says the World Series ratings fell from last year, but still won their respective nights.
Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable notes the 2012 World Series fell way below its previous record low.
Tim looks at NBC’s deal with the English Premier League.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News talks with MLB Network head honcho Tony Petitti about obtaining the rights to the next two World Baseball Classics.
Mike says Univision has signed the rights to the CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer tournament.
Brian Steinberg of Advertising Age talks about the World Series’ low ratings.
Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life says Fox won Sunday night with an NFL overrun and the World Series.
Newsday’s Neil Best notes that WFAN begins its FM simulcast on Friday.
NBA on TNT voice Marv Albert writes in the New York Times about welcoming the Nets to Brooklyn.
Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette says Fox has changed the NFL game being sent to the Capital Region for the second consecutive week.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the college football TV schedule for Week 10.
Pete has the NFL TV schedule for Weeks 9 and 10.
Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record notes the MLS Playoffs start this Wednesday.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with NBA TV’s Chris Webber about the Wizards.
Tom Jones in the Tampa Bay Times reviews the weekend in sports television.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle looks at the weekend ratings.
Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman says a former Sooner basketball player will be the analyst for several Oklahoma games this season.
Dusty Saunders at the Denver Post is a fan of NBC’s Tony Dungy.
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News notes that the West Coast Conference gets a TV deal.
EPL Talk looks at the new NBC Sports-English Premier League deal.
Matt Yoder from Awful Announcing analyzes what airing English Premier League games means for NBC and NBC Sports Network.
The EPL also made a new rights deal in Canada.
Sports Rantz looks at some radio and sports broadcasts affected by Hurricane Sandy.
And that will be it for now.
NBC Secures Rights To English Premier League Games
After we learned Friday that ESPN and Fox had dropped out of the bidding for the US rights to the English Premier League, NBC makes it official tonight that it will become the new home of the world’s most popular football league.
Overall, NBCUniversal’s properties, NBC, NBC Sports Network, Telemundo, Mun2 and NBCSports.com will be home to most of the EPL’s 380 games a year. Other NBCUniversal properties will air selected games throughout the season (most likely CNBC and Comcast SportsNet). The NBC Sports Live Extra app for mobiles and tablets will stream video across various devices. It does not appear that NBC will sublicense any fixtures to other networks as Fox did with ESPN.
As reported on Friday in Sports Business Daily by John Ourand, NBC’s bid is believed to be triple of what Fox/ESPN is currently paying for its contract that ends this season.
This is a huge win for NBC and gives NBC Sports Network content for 10 months of the year. Expect pre and postgame programming in addition to regular highlight shows.
It all begins with the 2013-14 season. We have the official announcement from NBC Sports.
NBC SPORTS GROUP ACQUIRES EXCLUSIVE U.S. MEDIA RIGHTS TO PREMIER LEAGUE
20 Teams, 10 Months, 380 Matches Annually
Multi-Year Partnership Begins in August 2013
Agreement Includes English- and Spanish-Language Media Rights Across All Platforms & Devices in U.S.NEW YORK – October 28, 2012 – NBCUniversal, via the NBC Sports Group, has acquired the exclusive U.S. media rights to the Premier League through a multi-year agreement that begins with the 2013-14 season, both parties announced today. Per the agreement, NBCUniversal becomes the exclusive English- and Spanish-language media rights holder to all 380 Premier League matches across all platforms and devices in the United States.
“The Premier League is the preeminent soccer league in the world, and is on the cusp of exponential popularity growth here in the U.S.,” said Mark Lazarus, Chairman, NBC Sports Group. “NBCU will provide the broadest programming and promotional commitment that the league has ever experienced here in the United States. The Premier League provides NBCU with best-in-class content for 10 months of the year across our far-reaching broadcast, cable and digital platforms. This is a perfect match.”
“The NBC Sports Group has an excellent track record in sports broadcasting and will showcase the Premier League to fans across the USA through its extensive network of channels and high quality production,” said Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore. “We are extremely pleased that NBC has chosen to invest in the Premier League and look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
Each of the 20 Premier League teams plays 38 matches over a 41-week period from August to May. Although specific programming details will be announced at a later date, NBC, NBC Sports Network, and NBCSports.com will all be utilized to present live Premier League coverage, as well as Telemundo and mun2 for Spanish-language coverage. Additional NBCUniversal platforms and networks will occasionally be scheduled to air Premier League matches, while NBC Sports Live Extra will provide the live streaming platform across web, tablet and mobile devices.
The NBC Sports Group will also produce comprehensive shoulder programming around its live-event coverage of the Premier League, including pre- and post-match shows, as well as highlight and weekly wrap-up programs. It is also developing a package to make sure the most avid fans have access to every Premier League match.
And for more information on NBC’s plans, Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch speaks with NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus on NBCU’s strategy to secure the EPL and what you’ll see across its platforms.
Bringing Back The Friday Megalinks
It’s been too long since I’ve done a links post and why not do this with a Friday megalink post.
Your Weekend Viewing Picks have all of my sports and entertainment suggestions.
Now to your linkage.
National
Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks with Fox’s Erin Andrews about her being put under a bigger microscope now that she has higher profile gigs.
John Ourand & Michael Botta from Sports Business Daily handicap the bidding for the US rights to the English Premier League.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News writes that the EPL bidding is going to a second round.
At Sports on Earth, Will Leitch makes no bones about being a Joe Buck apologist.
Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo’s Puck Daddy looks at the ratings for three KHL airings on ESPN2.
To The Godfather, Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina who notes that in Hot Clicks, ESPN’s Samantha Steele is taken. Sorry, fanboys.
Jim Romenesko notices that ESPN.com is trying to play eye doctor.
Jane McManus of espnW looks at MLB’s new dress policy for reporters.
Sports Rantz explores the revamping of the 6 p.m. ET SportsCenter that could lead to more appearances for Lindsay Czarniak.
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks with CBS’ Doug Gottlieb about his first job in broadcasting.
At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Ronnie Ramos says reporters should throw objectivity out the window when it comes to social media.
Ken Kerschbaumer of Sports Video Group says YES Network is finding a TV-friendly environment at the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
David Goetzl of MediaPost says ESPN is trying to expand the SportsCenter brand beyond television.,
Glenn Davis of SportsGrid has today’s New York Post cover involving the Yankees.
Kristi Dosh as ESPN.com says GoDaddy’s hiring of a new ad agency could lead to the dropping of spokesperson Danica Patrick.
ESPN’s Darren Rovell says it’s good that the Chicago White Sox listened to their fans and dropped ticket prices for next season.
Matt Yoder of Awful Announcing has the worst sports tweets of 2012 to date.
Leah Goldman of the Business Insider’s Sports Page has what you need to know about ESPN’s Samantha Steele.
Joe Favorito looks at the Battle for the Big Apple, NBA style.
Dave Kohl of The Broadcast Booth takes a look at Joe Buck’s rare NFL/MLB doubleheader on Sunday.
Bob’s Blitz talks about CBS Sports Radio giving writer John Feinstein a daily show when the network launches in 2013.
East and Mid-Atlantic
The Lewiston (ME) Sun Journal and Maine Hockey Journal have formed a partnership on local sports coverage.
At the Boston Globe, Chad Finn reviews Comcast SportNet New England’s NFL Pregame Live show.
Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette talks with a former WEEI morning show personality.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says Time Inc. has tapped a Sports Illustrated web editor to head its entire sports portfolio.
In the New York Post, Phil Mushnick wants everyone to be like him.
Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY notes that the Yankees and Giants top the local TV ratings.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union compares and contrasts Fox and TBS in the MLB Postseason.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call notes that a local sports talk show host is no longer employed at his radio station.
In Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com has Baltimore Ravens voice and local sports anchor Gerry Sandusky explaining why he won’t change his name.
Also in Press Box, Dave says the Washington Nationals are seeking a bigger rights fee from MASN.
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says the City Paper will not mention the DC NFL team by its regular name.
Dan says Fox was filming a spot regarding DC NFL team QB Robert Griffin III this week.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner says the Nationals’ brand is seeing more attention after its regular season success.
South
Rick Stroud at the Tampa Bay Times says Sunday’s game involving the Saints and Bucs did sell out in time.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle has some college football announcer pairings and a few local news and notes.
In his media notebook, Mel Bracht at The Oklahoman looks at Bill Simmons making the dangerous move to television.
Midwest
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer says Time Warner Cable picks up three local high school football games this weekend.
Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has ESPN college basketball analyst Dan Dakich handicapping the Big Ten.
Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs, WGN and Comcast SportsNet will quickly decide on a replacement for Bob Brenly who left and took his talents to the Southwest.
Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch wonders why the Sun-Times would hire Playboy Playmate Jenny McCarthy to be a columnist.
Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that the local Fox TV station had to juggle severe warning alerts while airing the Cardinals in the NLCS.
West
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the Diamondbacks have named their new TV broadcasting team.
John Maffei of the North County Times writes on a former San Diego Charger who’s deciding whether he wants to play in the CFL or pursue broadcasting full-time.
Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star explores the cast changes to ESPN’s NBA Countdown pregame show.
In his media notebook, Jim says the Pac-12 Network can be found online for subscribers of participating cable and satellite providers.
Jim has his Weekend Viewing Picks.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News is fed up of cable carriage disputes.
Tom has some stuff that didn’t make it into his column.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail talks with former NHL coach and TV analyst Mike Keenan on how to survive the lockout.
The Toronto Sports Media Blog has some of the local sports radio ratings.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog says MLB got a rare ratings win over the CFL last Friday.
And that will conclude the megalinks. Enjoy the sports weekend.
SiriusXM To Launch All-Soccer Channel
Received this from the fine people at SiriusXM Satellite Radio. The service has been good in providing soccer matches from the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League and the World Cup over the years. Now, SiriusXM is taking the extra step and launching an all-soccer channel to be called “SiriusXM FC.”
It will be loaded with soccer programming and various games. It begins on Monday, October 15 and will be available on all platforms, whether it be on receivers or online.
There will be programs that will be produced by SiriusXM with well-known soccer personalities John Harkes, Ray Hudson, Tony Meola and others. It will also pick up programming from talkSPORT in the UK.
SiriusXM FC will be located at channel 94.
Here’s the press release.
SiriusXM to Launch New Channel Dedicated Entirely to Soccer
“SiriusXM FC” will be available to all SiriusXM subscribers starting October 15 on channel 94
Listeners get access to an extensive schedule of live matches from Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, as well as MLS playoff matches
SiriusXM FC will feature a daily lineup of soccer talk hosted by former players, coaches and other experts including John Harkes, Ray Hudson, Tony Meola, Charlie Stillitano and many moreNEW YORK – October 11, 2012 – Sirius XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) today announced that it has created a new channel dedicated entirely to the world’s game.
SiriusXM FC will launch October 15 on channel 94 and will offer listeners nationwide soccer talk and play-by-play 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The channel – including all talk and play-by-play – will also be available to listeners on the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices and online at SiriusXM.com.
With SiriusXM FC, soccer fans will have access to many of the world’s best teams with live play-by-play broadcasts from the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League and FA Cup, as well as matches from the Major League Soccer playoffs. All Barclays Premier League matches are provided by talkSPORT. All UEFA and FA Cup matches are provided by FOX Soccer. For a schedule of upcoming matches on SiriusXM FC visit www.siriusxm.com/soccerschedule.
“The demand for worldwide quality soccer coverage continues to grow and we’re very excited to now provide soccer fans with an entire channel dedicated to their sport,” said Steve Cohen, SiriusXM’s SVP of Sports Programming. “SiriusXM has created and developed several sports specific channels which have become must listen destinations for NFL fans, MLB fans, motor racing fans and many others. SiriusXM FC – with an outstanding lineup of on air talent, daily expert analysis and live play-by-play – will be the next SiriusXM channel to bring fans closer to their sport.”
In addition to live match coverage, listeners will get an unparalleled schedule of daily soccer talk programming. SiriusXM FC will feature shows hosted by an expert cast of former players, coaches, executives and journalists from the U.S. and Europe that will deliver the latest news and analysis and give fans a place to discuss the headline stories from the world of soccer.
The Football Show, hosted by National Soccer Hall of Famer John Harkes, former player/coach Ray Hudson and soccer experts Charlie Stillitano and Neil Barnett can be heard every weekday morning at 7:00 am ET. Men in Blazers, hosted by Michael Davies and Roger Bennett, will air Mondays and Fridays at 9:00 am ET.
Weekday afternoons at 5:00 pm ET, Harkes and his former teammate and fellow Hall of Famer, longtime U.S. Men’s National Team goalkeeper Tony Meola, will be heard hosting Counter Attack, offering a recap of matches and discussing the news of the day with fans around the country.
The SiriusXM FC daily lineup will also feature several programs from talkSPORT, the award-winning British-based sports talk network, including the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Drivetime with Darren Gough and Adrian Durham, Kick Off, Extra Time, and Weekend Sports Breakfast with Micky Quinn and Mark Saggers.
In addition, SiriusXM FC will also carry Fox Soccer News, Fox Soccer’s nightly news and highlights show airing at 10:00 pm ET.
On Mondays and Thursdays at 7:00 pm ET, SiriusXM FC will air MLSsoccer.com’s Extra Time Radio show, covering the world of Major League Soccer with hosts Greg Lalas and Nick Firchau.
For more info on SiriusXM FC visit www.siriusxm.com/soccer. Follow the channel on Twitter @SiriusXMFC.
SiriusXM produced shows on SiriusXM FC will be available on SiriusXM On Demand for subscribers listening via the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices or online at SiriusXM.com. Visit www.siriusxm.com/ondemand for more info on SiriusXM On Demand.
That’s it.
SiriusXM Picks Up talkSPORT’s English Premier League and FA Cup Programming & Live Games
Let’s go to a press release from across the Atlantic in regards to programming that can be accessed in the United States. Received this last week. The UK and Global radio rightsholder for all English Premier League and FA Cup games (except in Europe), talkSPORT, can now be heard in the US and Canada thanks to a new agreement with SiriusXM.
SiriusXM will have offer talkSPORT’s games and talk programming dedicated to the English Premier League and the FA Cup.
We have details of the agreement between talkSPORT and SiriusXM. It’s all in the press release that is featured below. Check it out.
talkSPORT’s Barclays Premier League and FA Cup Commentaries to be Broadcast on SiriusXM Across USA and Canada
talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sports radio station and Global Audio Partner of the Barclays Premier League, has signed a new agreement with Sirius XM Radio in the USA and Canada to broadcast talkSPORT talk shows plus talkSPORT Live Barclays Premier League and FA Cup play-by-play coverage throughout the 2012/2013 season, bringing the best of English domestic soccer to listeners across North America.
The agreement gives SiriusXM’s subscribers access to multiple live matches every week throughout the Premier League and FA Cup seasons in addition to an expanded range of award-winning talkSPORT programming including the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Drive with Darren Gough and Adrian Durham, Kick Off, Extra Time, and Weekend Sports Breakfast with Micky Quinn and Mark Saggers, on Sirius channel 92 and XM channel 207. The programming will also be available to subscribers through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices and online at SiriusXM.com.
This is the first time that talkSPORT live play-by-play commentary has been available on SiriusXM.
The agreement expands the availability of talkSPORT Live, talkSPORT’s new live service for global fans of the English soccer. talkSPORT Live is separately available via talkSPORT.com, with live play-by-play commentary on all 380 Barclays Premier League games as well as FA Cup matches in multiple languages, including English, Spanish and Mandarin outside the European Economic Area . talkSPORT has exclusive packages of international audio broadcasting rights with both the Premier League spanning the next four football seasons (2012/13 – 2015/16) and with the FA for the next six seasons.
Scott Taunton, CEO, talkSPORT, said: “English soccer coverage is increasingly popular across USA and Canada, so it’s perfect timing to be expanding the range talkSPORT programming available via SiriusXM. We already know from listener feedback how much SiriusXM subscribers enjoy listening to talkSPORT’s programming and we’re excited to expand the offerings to include both live Barclays Premier League and FA Cup play-by-play coverage. This agreement with SiriusXM is an important means of extending talkSPORT Live in North America.”
”We’re very pleased to work with talkSPORT to expand our play-by-play offerings to SiriusXM listeners,” said Steve Cohen, SiriusXM’s SVP of Sports Programming. “Our subscribers have enjoyed talkSPORT’s excellent lineup of talk programs and now, with the availability of their EPL and FA Cup play-by-play broadcasts, we are able to provide a superior listening experience for soccer fans.”
That is it.
Breaking Out Some Thursday Linkage
Let’s do the Thursday linkage. We’re doing well so far this week, knock on wood.
Austin Karp of Sports Business Journal reports NBC’s overnight rating for Wednesday’s Olympic Primetime was up from Beijing.
Tripp Mickle of Sports Business Journal says YouTube is looking to further strengthen its live sports portfolio after streaming Olympic content in Africa and Asia.
Austin Karp of SBJ says NBC’s Olympic ratings remain ahead of Beijing’s pace.
Michael Katz of USA Today notes that USA gold medal-winning gymnast McKayla Maroney taught NBC’s Jenna Bush how to do the Dougie. Can’t wait for Colin Cowherd to criticize both for their upbringings.
Speaking of McKayla, Erin Carlson of the Hollywood Reporter notes that one of the funniest internet memes has come Maroney’s reaction to winning the silver medal last week in the individual vault event. Here is the site, “McKayla Maroney is not Impressed” which is being updated quite frequently.
Major League Baseball has released the 2012 Postseason schedule with networks.
John Eggerton at Broadcasting & Cable says Comcast is still fighting an FCC decision requiring the cable provider to make room for Tennis Channel.
Dan Alexander at Forbes writes that the U.S. Fierce Five gymnasts stand to make a lot of money in endorsements.
Brian Steinberg of Advertising Age says the 2012 Olympics may be winding down, but NBCUniversal has already sold a portion of its ad time for the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi.
Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life says NBC’s strategy to put the Olympics on NBC Sports Network is paying off.
Steve Lepore at SB Nation provides his rankings for NBC’s Olympic announcers.
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report is surprised to learn that CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus and golf producer Lance Barrow aren’t concerned with slow play in golf.
Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says critics of NBC’s tape delays should be focusing their anger at something else.
Steve Myers at the Poynter Institute says a new Gallup Poll finds viewers want their Olympics live in primetime.
Stephen Douglas at The Big Lead has video of Fox’s Erin Andrews and Eddie George dancing to “Call Me Maybe”.
NBC Sports provides a sneak peek at its new digs currently under construction in Connecticut.
Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group explores how the Olympics are being sent to Australia.
Bill Carter of the New York Times writes that female Olympic athletes are finding the spotlight and scrutiny rather harsh, especially Lolo Jones.
Arthur S. Brisbane, the Times’ public editor believes Jeré Longman’s article that began the public takedown of Jones was too harsh.
Sam Borden of the Times says viewers of women’s water polo are getting a bit more exposure than they anticipated.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette notes that ESPNU won’t airing any college hockey regular season games again.
Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record notes that local radio stations will be picking up national college and NFL broadcasts this fall.
In Press Box, Dave Hughes from DCRTV.com notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic will be all over the Baltimore Ravens and DC NFL Team in the preseason.
David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun looks at a poll which shows a majority of Americans like how NBC is handling the Olympics.
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says MLB Network’s Kevin Millar and ESPN’s Dick Vitale (?) are weighing in on the Nationals’ strategy to shut down pitcher Stephen Strasburg.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner writes that NBC is setting viewership records both online and on TV for the Olympics.
At the Bleacher Report, Jim looks at Telemundo’s coverage of the 2012 London Games.
Back to Eric Deggans, this time in his home newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, says NBC’s syndicated Olympic Zone program blurs the line between real news and advertising.
John Kiesewetter of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that the Reds’ hot July pumped Fox Sports Ohio’s ratings.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Big Ten Network’s college football announcers have some local ties.
Danny Ecker of Crain’s Chicago Business writes that local TV ratings for the Olympics are good, but not at the top of the country.
David Brauer of the Minnesota Post looks at Minneapolis-St. Paul’s radio ratings including the sports radio wars.
Scott D. Pierce from the Salt Lake Tribune says Salt Lake has the highest ratings in the nation for the Olympics once again.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says it’s about time for the annual Vin Scully announcement on whether he’ll return for another season.
Sports Media Watch has some of the bottom feeders among the local ratings for the Olympics.
Joe Favorito says the soccer exhibition “friendlies” may now be over in the U.S., but they helped to grow the game.
The latest Awful Announcing podcast has ESPN’s Darren Rovell as the guest.
Dave Kohl at the Broadcast Booth looks at some teams making flagship radio station moves.
And that’s going to finish us for today.
ESPN Family To Air Nine Exhibition Soccer Games This Summer
Starting tonight, the ESPN Family of Networks will air a total of nine exhibition soccer games featuring European and MLS teams. The series starts tonight in Seattle as the MLS’ Sounders host the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup Champions Chelsea from the English Premier League. In addition, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur from the EPL, Real Madrid from Spain’s La Liga, Celtic from the Scottish Premier League, Milan and Roma from Italy’s Serie A plus Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls will be involved in the series.
Eight of the nine games will air on ESPN2. One will be exclusive to ESPN3.
We have the press release from ESPN.
2012 ESPN Summer Soccer Series
The 2012 ESPN Summer Soccer Series – nine international club matches over three weeks featuring legendary European and Major League Soccer clubs on ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes – will kick off tonight at 9:30 p.m. ET with the 2012 European club champions Chelsea FC visiting the Seattle Sounders. The series will conclude Saturday, Aug. 11, at 1:55 p.m. with Spain’s La Liga champions Real Madrid FC vs. Scottish Premier League title holders Celtic FC. Eight of the nine matches will be aired live across ESPN2, ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes, with one on ESPN3.
The schedule (subject to change):
Date Time (ET) Match Networks Wed, July 18 9:30 p.m. Seattle Sounders vs. Chelsea FC Adrian Healey, Taylor Twellman and Alexi LalasRicardo Ortiz and Andres Agulla (ESPN Deportes)ESPN2 / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes Tue, July 24 10:30 p.m. Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Tottenham Hotspur ESPN3 Wed, July 25 6:30 p.m. Liverpool FC vs. AS Roma Derek Rae and Robbie MustoeRichard Mendez and Tato NoriegaESPN2 / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes Sat, July 28 1 p.m. Liverpool FC vs. Tottenham Hotspur Rae and MustoeCiro Procuna and Mario KempesESPN2 / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes 6:30 p.m. Chelsea FC vs. AC Milan Healey and TwellmanJorges Ramos and Hernan PereyraESPN2 / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes Tue, July 31 7 p.m. New York Red Bulls vs. Tottenham Hotspur Healey, Twellman and LalasMendez and Giovanni SavareseESPN2 / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes Thu, August 2 10:30 p.m. Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Real Madrid Healey, Twellman, Lalas and reporter Monica GonzalezOrtiz and KempesESPN2 / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes Wed, August 8 8 p.m. Real Madrid vs. AC Milan Healey and TwellmanProcuna and KempesESPN2 / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes Sat, August 11 1:55 p.m. Real Madrid vs. Celtic FC Healey and MustoeProcuna and KempesESPN2 / ESPN3 / ESPN Deportes All matches and times subject to change
The ESPN Summer Soccer Series includes three teams each from the English Premier League, Major League Soccer, two from Italy’s Serie A, and one from Spain’s La Liga and the Scottish Premier League. Highlights:
- AC Milan: With seven European cup titles and 18 Italian Serie A championships, AC Milan is one of the legendary football clubs in Europe. Its roster consists of some of the top international players, such as Alexandre Pato, Robinho (Brazil), Kevin-Prince Boateng, Sulley Muntari (Ghana), and Ignazio Abate, a key defender in Italy’s UEFA EURO 2012 team.
- A.S. Roma: Three-time Serie A winners and new professional home for U.S. international midfielder Michael Bradley, who completed a transfer to Roma after signing a four-year contract on Sunday.
- Celtic FC: Reigning Scottish Premier League champions with 43 Scottish titles, Celtic FC is one of the two clubs that have dominated Scottish football over the years. The club is led by Greece’s Giorgos Samaras, who scored against Germany in the EURO 2012 quarterfinals.
- Chelsea FC: Current UEFA Champions League and England’s FA Cup winners, Chelsea FC is one of the premier clubs in English football. The roster includes many of the players who participated in the UEFA EURO 2012 – John Terry, Ashley Cole (England), Juan Mata, EURO 2012 Golden Boot winner Fernando Torres (Spain), Petr Cech (Czech Republic), Raul Meireles (Portugal), and Florent Malouda (France).
- Liverpool FC: With 18 English titles, second most all-time in English football, and five European Cup titles, Liverpool FC is one of the legendary clubs in European football. Its roster includes six players who represented England in the just-concluded UEFA European football Championship 2012 in Poland-Ukraine – captain Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Andy Carroll, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing and Martin Kelly.
- Los Angeles Galaxy: Currently MLS Cup champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy are one of the Major League Soccer’s preeminent clubs with three of professional soccer’s accomplished players – former England captain David Beckham, U.S. Men’s national Team star Landon Donovan, and current Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane.
- New York Red Bulls: One of Major League Soccer’s founding clubs, the New York Red Bulls feature 1998 FIFA World Cup champion Thierry Henry and captain of Mexico’s national team Rafa Marquez.
- Real Madrid: The reigning La Liga champions, Real Madrid has won 32 La Liga titles and nine European Cups. On its roster are 10 players who represented four different nations in the UEFA EURO 2012 – Iker Casillas, Xavi Alonso, Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa (Spain), Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe (Spain), Mezut Ozil and Sami Khedira (Germany), and Karim Benzema (France).
- Seattle Sounders: After playing its first match in Major League Soccer in March 2009, the Seattle Sounders have won three straight U.S. Open Cup titles. The team features U.S. Men’s National team player Eddie Johnson and Argentine playmaker Mauro Rosales.
- Tottenham Hotspur: With American goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who has started Premier League-record 304 straight matches, the team has finished among the top-five for three straight seasons in the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur added new manager Andre Villas-Boas and had three players who competed in the UEFA EURO 2012 – Jermain Defoe, Scott Parker (England), and Rafael van der Vaart (Netherlands).
That is all.
Some Rare Sunday Linkage
It used to be that I would be able to provide linkage all seven days of the week, but my schedule has been crazy lately especially on the weekends. My apologies for not being able to provide more weekend content.
But as I’m free right now, let’s not dilly-dally any longer and here are some links for you on this Sunday.
Christoper S. Stewart of the Wall Street Journal looks at NBC’s massive undertaking to provide online content for NBCOlympics.com.
Eddie Kim of Variety says it’ll be consumers, not the television networks who will decide how second screen usage in sports viewing will evolve.
Michael Malone of Broadcasting & Cable writes that NBC’s owned-and-operated will be sending reporters to cover the 2012 Olympics in London.
At The Sherman Report, Ed Sherman says ESPN Radio and Big Ten Network failed in covering the Louis Freeh report on Penn State and Joe Paterno.
Ed hears from fired San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Tim Sullivan who landed on his feet in Louisville.
The excellent ESPN.com college basketball writer Dana O’Neill has a response to those who feel female sportscasters must be hot in order to be on television, knowledge in sports be damned. Thanks to Trenni Kusnierek of WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee for the link.
The Associated Press has announced its Olympic coverage plans.
At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Ronnie Ramos looks at some of the more interesting ideas in sports and social media.
Sports Video Group has looks at the Olympic venues that we’ll be seeing over the 16 days of competition starting on July 27. Actually a couple of days earlier if you count the Soccer Tournament. Here’s Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
Joe Favorito looks at the return of the New York Cosmos.
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe notes that despite a .500 season, NESN still drew viewers in the first half of the 2012 campaign.
Chad also has the Boston radio ratings for the Spring Arbitron book.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes about baseball stadia increasingly putting out the welcome mat for soccer exhibition games to generate new revenue.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post says the Freeh Report on Penn State shows that football was above the law.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that the local NBC affiliate has a conflict with the Olympics and the New York Giants preseason opening game.
Pete has NFL Network’s extensive preseason game schedule.
Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says Giants fans will have to do a little searching for the team’s preseason games in August.
Ken has the Olympic Basketball Tournament viewing schedule.
Greg Connors of the Buffalo News looks forward to hearing the dulcet tones of Peter Alliss on the Open Championship this week.
Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner recaps the local reaction to the release of the Penn State report.
Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times wonders if the future of talk radio lies with sports rather than politics.
Stephen F. Holder of the Times writes that the Buccaneers will adhere to the new NFL TV blackouts bucking what the Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers and Tennessee Titans had already announced.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Sentinel writes that the MLB All-Star Game received its lowest local ratings since 2005.
Back to Ed Sherman, he has an article in today’s Chicago Tribune on NBC’s new thinking about presenting every Olympic event live online.
Eric Zorn of the Tribune remembers a blind sportscaster who did his job so well, many listeners had no idea he was sightless. Thanks to Ed Sherman for the link.
The Reno Gazette-Journal talks with ESPN’s Doug Gottlieb.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News notes that reports of Heather Cox replacing Erin Andrews on the sidelines for Saturday Night Football may be premature.
Sports Media Watch has a look at Fox’s primetime MLB ratings over its eight week span.
SMW says Detroit leads all local markets in the MLB ratings.
Paul M. Banks at the Sports Bank wonders if it’s time for Matt Millen to leave ESPN.
Media Rantz looks at the NFL teams deciding not to adhere to the new TV blackout rules.
EPL Talk has the schedule for some of exhibition soccer games on TV over the next few weeks.
And that’s going to complete our links for today. I hope to have another post for you later. I hope time will allow me to do so. It’ll be good, I promise.
Let’s Do Some Wednesday Links
Lots of stuff to get to. Let’s not waste time.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch reports on ESPN’s signing of four of its NFL insiders to long-term contracts.
SI’s Tom Verducci gives us some myths and truths about the MLB All-Star Game.
Tim Kenneally of The Wrap says the All-Star Game won the night for Fox in overall ratings and younger demographics.
At the Biz of Baseball, Maury Brown notes how surprised he is about the MLB All-Star Game’s overnight ratings seeing an increase from last year despite being a blowout.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today writes about the All-Star Game’s increased overnight ratings from last year.
To the Daily Beast where Howard Kurtz says NBC is betting that you’ll watch the Olympics despite not knowing anything about the sports inside the Games.
Andy Fixmer and Alex Sherman at Bloomberg Businessweek note that NBC expects to draw many cable viewers to watch the Olympics online.
Meg Carter at Co-Create notes how BBC is attempting to build the very first social Olympic Games.
Radio World says Fox Sports Radio will have a big presence at the London Olympics.
The Big Lead continues to break sports media stories this year. First, it breaks news that Fox and possibly NBC are interested in hiring ESPN Sunday Night Baseball voice Dan Shulman.
And then Jason McIntyre of TBL reports that CBS is making overtures at ESPN Radio’s Doug Gottlieb to work on its new radio network, become a college basketball analyst and host a show on its cable network.
Brian Clapp at Sports TV Jobs wonders if the competition is out for blood in poaching ESPN’s talent.
Barstool Sports in Boston somehow got its hands on a video featuring New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft making an audition tape with his 30 year old aspiring actress girlfriend, Ricki Noel Linder.
The video has gone viral and Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio says Kraft has issued a statement on that video going public.
Isaac Rauch of Deadspin has an interesting story on how ESPN.com entertainment writer Lynn Hoppes has apparently lifted several passages from Wikipedia either verbatim or with very few changes and inserted them into his features.
Patrick Burns of Deadspin sees what subjects ESPN is devoting its time covering on SportsCenter.
Glenn Davis from SportsGrid has video of Fox & Friends criticizing the U.S. Olympic team’s Opening Ceremony attire as looking too French. Seriously?
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report is still suffering from Ozzie Guillen Fatigue and isn’t enthused about tonight’s Showtime premiere of “The Franchise: A Season with the Miami Marlins.”
Ken Kerschbaumer of Sports Video Group looks at MLB International delivering the All-Star Game to a worldwide audience.
Brian Stelter of the New York Times reports on the NBC and Facebook partnership for the 2012 Olympics.
Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY says WPIX in New York will pick up an NFL Network Thursday Night Football game involving the defending Super Bowl champs, the New York Football Giants, in September.
Bob’s Blitz notes that ESPN Radio NY despite a new powerful FM signal fell further behind WFAN in the June Arbitron ratings period.
Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette looks at Fox’s ratings increase for this year’s MLB All-Star Game.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says a local college will be part of ESPN’s College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon in November.
Keith Groller from the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says a local cable sports channel will be all over a Minor League Baseball All-Star Game this week.
David Barron at the Houston Chronicle says a former Texas native is coming home to work in the local market as a TV sportscaster.
Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman looks at the local weekend ratings.
Mark Alesia and Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star write that the Colts will adhere to the old NFL TV blackout rules and will not have games air in the local market unless a game is totally sold out. The NFL relaxed the rules to 85% this season.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that CBS’ Lesley Visser gets her chance to run in the Miller Park Sausage Race on Friday.
Jordan Kobritz of the Prescott (AZ) Daily Courier looks at the MLB TV rights negotiations.
Bruce Dowbiggin from the Toronto Globe and Mail explores a popular English-language sports radio station in Montreal flipping to French leaving many fans in the cold.
Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette says English speaking sports fans have lost a voice to vent.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog says the Home Run Derby had a big audience in Canada.
Sports Media Watch notes that the MLB All-Star Game had its second lowest overnight rating ever.
Joe Favorito looks at a very unique way a New York soccer team found a sponsor.
At the Broadcast Booth, Dave Kohl explores the reasons why the NFL slightly relaxed its TV blackout rules.
And that’s going to do it for today.
Let’s Do The Friday Megalinks
Time for Friday linkage.
The Weekend Viewing Picks have your sports and entertainment suggestions. Let’s get cracking.
National
Michael Hiestand from USA Today looks at TNT’s plans to go mostly split-screen during breaks for Saturday’s NASCAR race.
Tom Perrotta of the Wall Street Journal reports that the one Wimbledon souvenir the players want is the towel.
Alex Sherman at Bloomberg Businessweek talks with NBC Sports Chairman Mark Lazarus about the Olympics.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk says enhancing the NFL fan experience might bring more people to games.
Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report is happy to learn that Jeremy Schaap’s ESPN Radio show is now available as a podcast.
Bob Pockrass at The Sporting News says NASCAR hopes that NBC Sports will be a bidder for the sport’s TV rights.
Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says ESPN Deportes scored with the EURO 2012 Final last Sunday.
Mike says Golf Channel has selected the venue for the next season of “Big Break”.
Christopher Heine of Adweek says MLB’s allowing Twitter votes for the All-Star Game for the first time may have had a hand in deciding which league hosts the World Series.
Jason Del Ray of Advertising Age says the impending Turner Sports purchase of Bleacher Report makes sense.
Wayne Friedman at MediaPost says the NFL easing requirements on local TV blackouts shows the league wants to reach the casual fan.
Dan Daley at Sports Video Group says ESPN will be utilizing plenty of microphones at the MLB Home Run Derby.
Awful Announcing’s Matt Yoder has a screengrab of a Canadian TV station messing up the Steve Nash trade to the Lakers.
And Matt has found an episode of Judge Sapp. Yes, that’s Warren Sapp.
The Big Lead soaked up the latest Twitter battle between ESPN’s Darren Rovell and Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch.
MediaRantz looks at the top 5 ESPN plagiarism scandals.
Nick Bromberg of Yahoo’s From the Marbles blog wonders what is the big deal with the TNT/truTV simulcast of NASCAR’s Sprint Cup race on Saturday.
Joe Favorito likes how MLS has adopted “Food Week” to get fans to explore its markets’ restaurants.
East and Mid-Atlantic
At SB Nation Boston, Bruce Allen says it was time for Erin Andrews to leave the ESPN Mothership.
Jerry Barmsah of Fishbowl NY says CBS Radio’s WFAN could be headed to FM and could take the Yankees with it.
Yes, Phil Mushnick of the New York Post, we know you hate ESPN.
Justin Terranova of the Post has five questions for ESPN tennis analyst Brad Gilbert.
Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says the MLB Extra Innings pay per view package will be free next week.
Don Laible of the Utica (NY) Observer-Dispatch talks with the NHL on NBC’s Dave Strader about calling Olympic basketball.
Ken says a local minor league baseball team has found a new radio home.
Dave Sottile of the Harrisburg (PA) Patriot-News says there are no plans to bring Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic to the local area.
Tim Richardson in Press Box looks at the differences between the Washington Nationals and MASN over the team’s TV rights fee.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with MLB Network’s Chris Rose.
South
Kyle Veazey of the Memphis Commercial-Appeal says a popular local sports radio host is changing stations.
At the Houston Chronicle, David Barron writes that the new Comcast SportsNet Houston will air Conference USA football featuring the University of Houston.
Midwest
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says MLB feels it has restored integrity to the All-Star Game. It’s an exhibition game!
Paul M. Banks of the Chicago Sports Media Watch wonders who had the best mock NBA Draft?
Paul Christian at the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says the new TV voice of the Minnesota Wild will have an exciting team to call this season.
Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks about Erin Andrews making her Fox debut next week.
Dan writes that Blues analyst Darren Pang turned down a full-time offer from TSN and will remain in St. Louis.
West
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has this harsh takedown of Erin Andrews.
Here’s Tom’s column which has a little more on the last post.
Tom also links to reaction to his Erin Andrews column.
Matt Rudnitsky of SportsGrid replies point-by-point to Hoffarth.
John Maffei of the North County Times writes about Erin Andrews joining Fox.
Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star talks with Fox’s Joe Buck on the challenges of calling the MLB All-Star Game.
Jim has his Weekend Viewing Picks.
Matthew T. Hall at the San Diego Union-Tribune wonders where’s the fan outrage in the Fox Sports San Diego-Time Warner Cable dispute leaving Padres games off TV.
Jon Wilner of the San Jose Mercury News tries to clear up some confusion over the Pac-12 Network.
And that will conclude our links for today.
The Thursday Linkage
So weird to have the 4th of July in the middle of the week. You get the holiday after two work days and then have two work days afterwards. Some of you have the entire week off which is good, but for me, there’s no such thing as a vacation. In fact, I haven’t had a vacation since August 2001. That’s true. Anyway, you don’t care about that. Let’s get to the links.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today lists which sports media personality has donated money to which politician.
Michael says ESPN NASCAR pit reporter Jamie Little will work her last race for a few months this weekend.
The BBC reports that a single yellow cable that will carry the Olympics from London to Europe was almost cut in Belgium.
Trefis Team at Forbes says ESPN contributes heavily to Disney’s stock price, but that could be reduced over time.
Keach Hagey of the Wall Street Journal looks at the new NBC Sports/Sports Illustrated partnership.
Mike Barnes of the Hollywood Reporter says former mustachioed Oakland Raiders defensive lineman turned pitchman Ben Davidson has died at the age of 72.
Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that ESPN set a viewership record for the EURO 2012 final.
Bill Cromwell of Media Life reports that NBC is close to selling out its Olympic ad inventory.
The Associated Press says the ACC has signed a 12 year deal with the Orange Bowl.
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks with Chris “Mad Dog” Russo about his two decade long partnership with WFAN’s Mike Francesa.
Joe Lucia at Awful Announcing writes that ESPN’s Chris Fowler gave John McEnroe a lesson about Twitter parody accounts at Wimbledon this week.
Joe tells us about reporter-on-reporter Twitter crime between ESPN’s Buster Olney and CBS’ Jon Heyman.
Melissa Jacobs at the Football Girl agrees with Erin Andrews’ assessment that sideline reporters are a necessity when used correctly.
Speaking of Erin, she speaks with Adam Silverstein of the Only Gators blog about moving to Fox.
Dave Nagle in ESPN’s Front Row public relations blog notes the network’s new broadcast position at Wimbledon.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says Barclays’ recent troubles are trickling down to the Brooklyn Nets as they prepare to occupy their new home.
Claire Atkinson of the New York Post reports that The Whistle, a sports media company geared towards kids, will have a programming block on NBC Sports Network starting in September.
Dan Steinberg in the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that DC NFL Team radio analyst Sam Huff will work a reduced schedule this season.
Mel Bracht at The Oklahoman says the U.S. Olympic Trials topped the local ratings this past weekend.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that Annika Sorenstam joins the NBC golf team this weekend at the U.S. Women’s Open.
Paul M. Banks at Chicago Sports Media Watch urges the White Sox to calm down in asking people to do last-minute voting for the All-Star Game.
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says the Pac-12 Network will be a success in Utah knowing the failings of the mtn.
Bill Mooney of the Thoroughbred Times says Fox Sports Net will air the West Virginia Derby next month.
Media Rantz notes that the NBC President who was responsible for the “Heidi Game” and forever changed how sports was aired on TV has passed away.
The Canadian Sports Media Blog says CTV will bring back a few features for this year’s Olympics that were used in 2010 for Vancouver.
EPL Talk has a partial list of English Premier League games that will be aired in the States on ESPN2 and Fox Soccer.
Sports Media Watch says TNT took a ratings hit for last Saturday’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race.
Emmett Jones at Sports Business Digest notes that the US Olympic Committee will pass on bidding for the 2022 Games dashing hopes for a couple of cities. It means the earliest an Olympics will be held in the United States will be 2024.
And those are the links that I could manage to squeeze out of the internet today.
Jonesing For Tuesday Linkage
Ok, maybe you’re not jonesing for the linkage, but at least you can read them at your leisure. Sometimes I think way too long about the title of the post and this is the case today. Anyway, let’s get to the links.
Joel Schectman of the Wall Street Journal reports that NBC and Google are preparing for possible hacking or denial of service attacks of online Olympic streams next month.
Lindsay Rubino at Broadcasting & Cable writes that NBC with U.S. Olympic Trials coverage in Track & Field, Swimming and Gymnastics won primetime on Sunday.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says ESPN and ESPN2 are seeing huge ratings gains from Wimbledon.
Mike writes that NBC Sports Group has expanded its commitment to its Fight Night.
Anthony Crupi at Adweek says Fox Sports has sold out its ad inventory for the MLB All-Star Game.
Crupi says NBC scored with the U.S. Olympic Trials over the last week and a half.
Wayne Friedman of MediaPost says if Sunday is any indication, NBC should do really well with the Olympics later this month.
George Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter notes that BBC’s sports broadcasts of EURO 2012 and Wimbledon are leaving rival ITV in the ratings dust.
Nat Ives from Advertising Age notes that NBC and Sports Illustrated are teaming up for a monthly show.
Sam Marmudi of Marketwatch.com says NBC is getting ready for an Olympic takeover.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo! writes that MLB’s antiquated blackout policy is hurting the sport.
Dennis Dodd of CBSSports.com says the media could be allowed to see the college football playoff selection process.
At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans from the Tampa Bay Times writes that Erin Andrews is another example of ESPN losing another big name star.
Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks about why it’s important for Fox to have Erin Andrews make her debut next week at the MLB All-Star Game.
Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group says ESPN plans to change its production model of the X Games as it expands globally.
Darren Rovell bids farewell to CNBC.
At the ESPN PR Front Row blog, Mike Humes says the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest brings back memories for college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla.
Timothy Burke of Deadspin notes that Texas Rangers TV voice Dave Barnett who had a strange on-air moment last month, will be taking a medical leave for the rest of the season.
Andy Smith of the Providence Journal writes that almost a million people watched the America’s Cup World Series races on NBC over the weekend.
To Richard Sandomir of the New York Times, who looks at the on-going MLB TV rights negotiations. Some interesting news from Richard in the article.
Newsday’s Neil Best discusses MLB All-Star voting with Commissioner Bud Selig and Fox’s Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.
Bob’s Blitz has video of some of the WFAN gang with CBS Radio bigwigs ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange last week.
The Albany Times-Union’s Pete Dougherty says the PGA’s AT&T National on CBS set a six year ratings high.
Ken McMillan of the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record reports that NESN National is available to local Verizon Fios subscribers.
Ken says NBA TV is gearing up for Summer League games.
Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post’s DC Bog has ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian predicting good things for the Nationals.
Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times reviews the weekend in sports television.
Shannon Owens of the Orlando Sentinel recaps Erin Andrews’ appearance on the Dan Patrick Show today.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says Samantha Steele of the Longhorn Network could be the beneficiary of Erin Andrews’ departure from ESPN.
Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman talks about Dave Barnett’s decision to take a medical leave from calling the Texas Rangers.
Gregg Tunnicliff of the Flint (MI) Journal talks with a long-time racing commentator.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has MLB Commissioner Bud Selig not having a problem with the sudden surge of fan voting from the Bay Area for the All-Star Game.
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says the Pac-12 Network is set to launch in 40 million homes next month.
Michael Gehiken of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the eased NFL blackout rules probably won’t affect the Chargers this coming season.
Sports Media Watch has some ratings news on the U.S. Olympic Trials and Baseball Night in America.
SMW notes that Wimbledon as an all-cable event is performing on par with last year.
Jason Lisk at The Big Lead is happy to note that ESPN blowhard Skip Bayless is wrong about racial profiling American white players in the NBA Draft.
Matt Yoder has some thoughts on ESPN’s EURO 2012 coverage.
Joe Favorito wonders if brands can make their Olympic sponsorship gambles pay off despite not having a name athlete to cling to.
And we’ll wrap up with Dave Kohl at The Broadcast Booth who looks back at WFAN’s 25 years in operation.
And we’re done.
Doing Some Monday Linkage
Let’s bring out some Monday links today.
Starting with Michael Hiestand of USA Today, he talks with Fox’s Erin Andrews (weird to write that) about her decision to leave ESPN.
A.J. Perez of Fox Sports has Erin’s reaction to joining the network.
Jane Kellogg and Alex Ben Block of the Hollywood Reporter write about Erin Andrews leaving ESPN for Fox.
As for replacing Erin at ESPN, Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead seems to be in Samantha Steele’s corner.
Back to Hiestand at USA Today, he notes that the U.S. Olympic Trials scored for NBC this past weekend.
Michael says the CBS Sports golf crew did as best as they could in a difficult situation when heavy storms ravaged the Washington, DC area and affected the AT&T National PGA Tour stop.
John Ourand at Sports Business Daily talks with NBCUniversal’s CEO on how important the Olympics are important to the company.
Ryan Wilson at CBS Sports notes that the NFL has changed its blackout policy, reducing the requirements for local teams to ensure games will be seen in local markets.
Also at CBS Sports, Dennis Dodd writes that the Big 12′s TV contract has still yet to gain approval from the league’s presidents.
To Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report and he remembers the passing of Jack Buck ten years later.
Ed also looks at Erin Andrews leaving ESPN for Fox.
Scott Roxborough of the Hollywood Reporter notes that the EURO 2012 Final racked up the ratings in Europe.
Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News writes that Comcast SportsNet Chicago has entered the game show arena.
Anthony Crupi of Adweek says the broadcast networks are looking to sports and reality to attract viewers during the dead summer season.
Bill Cromwell of Media Life notes NBC’s plans for the London Olympics later this month.
Wayne Friedman of MediaPost writes that NBC is mostly sold for the Tour de France.
Kevin Iole at Yahoo’s Boxing Experts Blog writes about NBC Sports expanding its boxing portfolio.
Evan Weiner of Examiner.com says no matter how you look at it, the NFL is a monopoly.
Jason Dachman from Sports Video Group notes the amount of cameras ESPN is using at the X Games.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post goes after college athletics once again.
Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says a local minor league hockey announcer is moving on.
Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times-Herald Record talks with some area sports radio personalities about WFAN’s 25th anniversary.
The Scranton (PA) Times-Tribune notes that an announcer with local ties will be part of NBC’s Olympic broadcast team.
Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog notes that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic’s Chick Hernandez was hit by a Tiger Woods drive this weekend.
Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times still yearns for the faulty BCS.
Gary Brown of the Canton (OH) Repository notes that a Golf Channel crew was in town to do a story on a local golf pro.
At the Denver Post, Dusty Saunders says the U.S. Olympic Trials serve as an appetizer for the main course later this month.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the sports calendar for this week.
In the Toronto Globe and Mail, Bruce Dowbiggin pays tribute to a colleague who’s retiring this month.
Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing looks at the free agent frenzy among the TV networks over the last year.
Timothy Burke at Deadspin has the video of gymnast Nastia Liukin doing a horrific faceplant off the uneven bars during last night’s US Gymnastic Olympic Trials.
Paul M. Banks at the Sports Bank says a popular Comcast SportsNet Chicago reporter picked up a lot of Twitter love when she joined the service a few days ago.
MediaRantz notes that WFAN’s Boomer and Carton could be nationally syndicated on CBS Sports Radio in January.
Joe Favorito talks about the growth of American soccer.
And those are all of the links I could squeeze out today.
Some Quick Monday Sports Media Thoughts
Time for some quick sports media thoughts. As always, they come in bullet form.
- The free agent frenzy at ESPN is over. Overall, ESPN lost two out of three major free agents, Erin Andrews and Michelle Beadle while keeping Scott Van Pelt. Beadle and Van Pelt were not surprises, but Andrews’ departure can be classified as a mild one. The fact that Erin decided to leave and part ways after ESPN aggressively tried to keep her shows me that the network still valued her, however, Fox stepped up wupith a role she felt comfortable with.
As Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch reported on Sunday, one of Erin’s goals was to work on the NFL, an opportunity that she was passed over at ESPN. She’ll now have that chance at Fox plus some postseason MLB work as well.
ESPN tome co-author James Andrew Miller tweeted that one could consider that both Erin and Micelle came out winners.
- Nice to see that NBC pulled tape delayed shenanigans for the U.S. Olympic Trials. The West Coast had to wait three hours to watch the gymnastics, swimming, and track & field trials over the last week. NBC will argue that the trials were available live across the country online, but that’s not good enough in this age.
- Great job by ESPN’s soccer unit on EURO 2012. Great coverage. World Cup 2014 in Rio is next.
- Starting today and going through Wednesday, ESPN and ESPN2 will have simultaneous coverage of Wimbledon with the Mothership focusing on Centre Court and the Deuce airing outer court action. It will be a tennis smorgasbord.
- Is there a more overblown event than The ESPY’s? Who votes on the awards? Does anyone think they make any sense?
- A couple of non-sports media thoughts: Ann Curry got screwed by NBC over the Today show and I like “The Newsroom” on HBO.
- Lastly, can we get Bonnie Bernstein a role on the Olympics? Or at least have her host a major network NFL studio show? Please?
Enjoy your Monday or least try to enjoy it.
It’s A Friday Megalink Day
And can you believe I’ve been able to do linkage for most of the week? Hasn’t been like that in a long while. Glad I’ve been able to get it done.
Time for your Friday megalinks. As usual, we provide the Weekend Viewing Picks which has plenty of MLB and U.S. Olympic Trials action.
Let’s go to the links.
National
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand looks at ESPN extending its current deal with the Rose Bowl.
Michael looks at Erin Andrews’ departure from ESPN.
Sports Business Journal has a sampling of what some sports business and sports media figures addressed to the graduating Class of 2012 at the nation’s colleges and universities.
At the Sherman Report, Ed Sherman explores the strange dispute between the Arizona Diamondbacks and TV voice Daron Sutton.
Ed also notes some media bashing of Chris Berman a few months in advance of his Monday Night Football debut.
Stuart Kemp of the Hollywood Reporter writes that the BBC has launched a new Facebook app to allow UK users to watch the Olympics online.
John Eggerton from Broadcasting & Cable says the Supreme Court has let stand a lower court ruling throwing out the FCC fine against CBS for the infamous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. Man, that was a long time ago.
Tim Baysinger of B&C says NASCAR Digital Media has hired five executives in advance of the sport’s takeover of its digital rights from Turner Sports next year.
Jason Dachman of Sports Video Group notes ESPN’s X Games production evolution.
The Nielsen Wire blog ponders the question of whether NBA Draft picks can do well in marketing products.
Deadline reports that ESPN’s ratings for the EURO 2012 semifinals this week are way up from EURO 2008.
One more week of writing, “CNBC’s Darren Rovell”. Today, CNBC’s Darren Rovell writes that with less than a month to go until the Olympics, a major ticket dispute has erupted.
Joe Favorito notes how Delta Airlines’ sponsorship of English Premier League team Chelsea shows that the company wants to go outside of the US to gain awareness.
Sports Media Watch has a look at some of NBC’s Olympic assignments for London.
The Big Lead notes that ESPN and Bill Simmons removed a potential offensive part of his NBA Draft diary that is way too long for anyone to read.
Ryan Yoder of Awful Announcing has the winners and losers from Thursday’s night’s NBA Draft coverage on ESPN.
East and Mid-Atlantic
Chad Finn of the Boston Globe writes about a documentary on an Olympic hopeful who is attempting to gain a spot on the US women’s gymnastics team.
Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette talks with the Voice of the Worcester Tornadoes minor league baseball team.
Jerry Barmash at Fishbowl NY talks with WFAN’s Mike Francesa on whether he’ll return to the station when his contract expires in two years.
Phil Mushnick in the New York Post is not happy about Chris Berman calling Monday Night Football.
Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette notes that local sports anchor Andrew Catalon gets another Olympics assignment.
Pete Dougherty at the Albany Times Union notes that the NBA Draft’s ratings on ESPN were down from the year before.
Pete looks at 25 years of WFAN.
Ken McMillan from the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record analyzes the NBC Olympic assignments.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call talks about the later start time for the NFL national Sunday afternoon game.
Keith has some fun facts about WFAN’s 25th anniversary.
Jonathan Tannenwald of Philly.com says Philadelphia Union voice JP Dellacamera will be calling Olympic soccer games for NBC.
DCRTV’s Dave Hughes in Press Box says the Baltimore Orioles’ ratings on MASN are up.
Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog has the Nationals’ radio ratings.
Jim Williams at the Washington Examiner speaks with NBC’s Phil Liggett about the Tour de France which kicks off this weekend.
South
Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald culls media opinions regarding the Heat’s chances to repeat.
Jimmie E. Gates of the Jackson (MS) Clarion Ledger says a lawsuit against ESPN over a 30 for 30 documentary can proceed in state court.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle says the Rockets are changing radio stations.
David writes the person who helped launch Houston’s original regional sports network will be part of the team that launches the city’s newest RSN.
Mel Bracht in The Oklahoman says a local sports radio network will be slightly affiliated with the new CBS Sports Radio.
More links later.
UPDATE, 9:20 p.m.: Time for more linkage.
Midwest
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Bob Wolfley says Fox has replaced Daron Sutton from this Saturday’s Arizona-Brewers game.
Robert Channick of the Chicago Tribune says WMAQ sports anchor Mike Adamle who’s been on leave from the station is expected to return soon.
Paul Christian in the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin goes over the NFL Network’s Top 100 Players of 2012 series.
West
John Maffei of the North County Times talks with TBS’ Cal Ripken about the MLB All-Star Game.
Jim Carlisle in the Ventura County Star rails against the current format of the All-Star Game.
Jim reviews some of this week’s sports media news in his notebook.
Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times says the NFL has laid down guidelines for the league to return to the nation’s second biggest market.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News isn’t thrilled about NBC pulling tape delayed shenanigans for the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Tom has more notes in his blog.
And we are finally done.
Providing Your Thursday Linkage
Looks like I’m going to be busy today so I’m going to do the linkage a bit early for me at least.
David Bauder of the Associated Press writes that even though he’s no longer NBC Sports Emperor, Dick Ebersol’s presence will still be felt at the London Olympics.
Michael Hiestand at USA Today says NBC will utilize Late Night’s Jimmy Fallon and Shaun White as guest commentators during the Olympics.
Reid Cherner of USA Today writes that ESPN the Magazine has released the roster for its annual “Body” issue.
Alex Sherman of Bloomberg says NBC Sports Network is the key to Comcast turning a profit when NBC’s new Olympic deal begins in 2014.
Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter says NBC is hoping the Olympics will give its struggling Today show a ratings boost.
Scott Roxborough in the Reporter writes that the EURO 2012 semifinal between Spain and Portugal set a ratings record in Europe.
Neil Reynolds of Sky Sports in the UK has New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft lobbying for an NFL franchise in London and increasing the amount of regular season games in the UK from one to two.
George Winslow of Broadcasting & Cable reports NBC expects to lose money on the London Olympics.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News says NBCUniversal is pushing people to authenticate in order to watch the Olympics online.
Anthony Crupi at Adweek looks at NBC’s nearly $1 billion take from Olympic ad sales.
Rocco Pendola of The Street wonders if NBC can make a run at ESPN.
Ed Sherman at the Sherman Report notes how polarizing Chris Berman can be.
Eric Goldschein of SportsGrid doesn’t quite understand the vitriol thrown Berman’s way.
Natan Edelsburg at Lost Remote says NBC is making the London Olympics a truly social media experience. That will make Bob Costas so happy to read Twitter and Facebook promos.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says NBC’s going all in online at the Olympics.
Jack Bell at the Times looks at ESPN’s EURO 2012 ratings.
Jerry Barmash of Fishbowl NY notes that the NBA Finals beat Mets-Yankees in New York.
Jerry talks with the first voice ever to be heard on WFAN when it launched 25 years ago.
Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette says Buffalo Sabres TV voice Rick Jeanneret will do the entire team’s schedule.
Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says even with a new playoff system, there will still be debates in college football.
In the Washington Examiner, Jim Williams talks with ESPN’s Jay Bilas about tonight’s NBA Draft.
Ron Green, Jr. of the Charlotte Observer also talks with ESPN’s Jay Bilas about the Bobcats’ choices at the Draft.
David Barron in the Houston Chronicle reports that the Rockets have changed flagship radio stations.
W. Scott Bailey of the San Antonio Business Journal says local native Michelle Beadle has come a long way from covering Professional Bull Riding.
Ryan Sharp at The Oklahoman has proof that the Big 12 pursued Notre Dame to increase its TV value.
Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman reviews the weekend’s TV ratings.
Paul M. Banks in Chicago Sports Media Watch wonders what will happen to the BCS brand now that a college football playoff is firmly in place.
Jay Posner of the San Diego Union-Tribune says Fox Sports San Diego will air November’s Syracuse-San Diego State college basketball game on board the USS Midway.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News says the West Coast is getting screwed again with NBC’s coverage of the Olympic Trials.
Sports Media Watch has some ratings news and notes.
Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says the viewership for the NHL Draft and NHL Awards Show was down.
The Brothers Yoder at Awful Announcing have some random sports that ESPN should televise and I totally agree with the number one choice.
And that’s going to do it for the linkage today.











