I’m going to try to finish off the megalinks tonight while watching the NCAA Tournament. This is not guaranteed to work, but I’ll do my best.
The Weekend Viewing Picks have everything you need for your TV planning.
Let’s get to your links.
National
USA Today’s Dueling Mikes return, Michael Hiestand and Mike McCarthy argue whether a player-less NFL Draft would make for good television.
Mike McCarthy notes the ratings for the first real day of NCAA Tournament action on the networks of CBS/Turner.
Mike says CBS broke into the NCAA Tournament to air the President Obama statement on Libya today.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch says CBS/Turner will likely change Charles Barkley’s role for next year’s NCAA Tournament.
The St. Petersburg Times’ Eric Deggans, writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, says the March Madness on Demand app is not without its glitches.
Marisa Guthrie of the Hollywood Reporter notes that Damon Wayans will play the lead character in a sitcom based on ESPN Radio hack Colon Cowherd.
Michael Malone of Broadcasting & Cable says CBS local affiliates are sad they can’t air schools from their local markets, but they understand the new TV landscape.
Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News notes the increase of visitors to the NCAA’s March Madness on Demand platforms this year.
Mike also looks at the increased ratings for the opening day of the NCAA Tournament, their highest in 20 years.
Alex Frutkin of Mediaweek says Speed has set its summer schedule in stone.
Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid notes that CBS/Turner NCAA Tournament sideline reporter Jaime Maggio has caught the eye of many viewers.
Dan has the great video of Gus Johnson’s call of the frantic ending of George Mason-Villanova. Great call from Gus.
Matthew DeGeorge of SportsGrid says a San Diego sports anchor almost got run over during a live shot in Arizona.
Marcus Vanderberg of SportsNewser talks with MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds.
Marcus says an MMA blog has been banned from an upcoming UFC event for leaking photos of a Playboy photo shoot of ring girl, Arianny Celeste.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell notes that Gus Johnson has trademarked his own catchphrase.
Darren questions the annual story that the NCAA Tournament hurts work productivity.
Puck The Media’s Steve Lepore isn’t too happy about NBC’s NHL decisions.
Gossip Sports lists the Top 10 Gus Johnson moments in college basketball. These are totally great moments.
Jim Weber of Lost Letterman explains why despite Gus Johnson’s popularity, he won’t call the Final Four as long as Jim Nantz is at CBS Sports.
The Sports Media Watch says the MLS season opener did quite well for ESPN.
SMW says ESPN received record ratings for Championship Week.
And SMW notes that ESPN had a very good week for the NBA.
Ken Kerschbaumer from Sports Video Group says ESPN’s E:60 will produce 3-D features for the ESPN 3D audience which totals about 25.
East and Mid-Atlantic
The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn celebrates 30 seasons of Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn as TV voices of the Celtics.
Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette talks about a Brave New World for airing the NCAA Tournament.
Newsday’s Neil Best discusses how this year’s CBS control room was more relaxed for the NCAA Tournament as compared to past years.
Neil says a YES analyst is expected to return this season after a year’s absence.
Phil Mushnick of the New York Post is wary of athlete apologies.
The Post’s Justin Terranova has five questions for ESPN NBA analyst Jon Barry.
From Fishbowl NY, Jerry Barmash reports that long time WCBS-AM Sports Director Jared Max is leaving the station.
Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says a local radio has the NCAA Tournament covered.
Pete looks at the combined ratings for CBS/TBS/TNT/truTV on the first day of the NCAA Tournament.
Pete asks why not have a Red Zone Channel for the NCAA Tournament?
Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog looks at Donovan McNabb working as a college basketball analyst.
Cindy Boren of the Post’s Early Lead says NFL Films President Steve Sabol will undergo surgery for a brain tumor. Let’s hope all goes well.
Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner takes a look at the American LeMans racing series airing races live on ESPN3.com, then having its races air in condensed format later.
South
To the Miami Herald and Barry Jackson who looks at the local sports radio scene.
The St. Petersburg Times’ Tom Jones talks with CBS’ Ian Eagle who has to really do his homework for the four games he called Thursday for the NCAA Tournament.
David Barron from the Houston Chronicle writes that the staggered tip times have helped the early ratings of the NCAA Tournament on CBS/Turner.
David talks about how CBS/Turner handled the President Obama statement on Libya during its NCAA Tournament coverage.
Jenni Carlson of the Daily Oklahoman says the NCAA Tournament is tempting fans to stay home and watch the games instead of attending them in person.
Midwest
John Kiesewetter from the Cincinnati Enquirer instructs readers how to find NCAA Tournament games on Saturday.
Michael Zuidema from the Grand Rapids (MI) Press looks at some of the sports media oddities to arise from this year’s college basketball postseason.
Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel loves the way CBS/Turner is handling the NCAA Tournament.
Ed Sherman from Crain’s Chicago Business has his winners and losers.
Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune says an ESPN Chicago host who was arrested on DUI charges has entered rehab.
Dan Caesar from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch likes the CBS/Turner collaboration on the NCAA Tournament.
Dan says former Rams offensive tackle Orlando Pace has bought a piece of two local sports radio stations.
West
Scott D. Pierce of the Salt Lake Tribune says CBS is big into BYU’s Jimmer Fredette.
And Scott says the Utah women will be seen on ESPN2 on Saturday.
John Maffei from the North County Times has San Diego Padres and San Diego State University basketball voice Ted Leitner amazed at the ride he’s been calling this season.
Tom Hoffarth at the Los Angeles Daily News talks with CBS/Turner’s Steve Kerr about working the NCAA Tournament.
Canada
Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail wonders if TSN can make a dent in the local sports radio scene.
The Canadian Sports Media blog critiques TSN’s first year of handling the NCAA Tournament.
And we are done with the megalinks.
