The merger between Comcast & NBC is less than a month old and already changes are taking place within the media giant that will change how we watch sports. Some changes have been behind the scenes while other changes will show up on our TV screens sooner rather than later.
The Golf Digest today is reporting that NBC's golf programming will be rebranded as The Golf Channel on NBC (think "ESPN on ABC").
There is so much speculation in message board land and on blogs as to what will happen to VERSUS and the Comcast owned regional sports networks. Personally myself, I would like to see VERSUS rebranded into a national Comcast SportsNet incorporating the resources of NBC Sports as well as the regional Comcast sports networks and taking on the monster that is ESPN.
While there are others who would like to see VERSUS and the Comcast regional sports networks take on the look and feel of NBC sports. My biggest issue with that is, other than the Olympics, what exaclty is NBC Sports known for? Decide for yourself, is it Notre Dame Football, NFL Football on Sunday night's, or something else like the NHL?
In many of the nation's largest media markets, Comcast SportsNet is an established brand and is the place to go for coverage of the hometown teams. Comcast SportsNet Chicago is available all across Iowa on satellite as well as on cable in Eastern Iowa.
Another issue with any rebranding the regional Comcast sports channels is that in Chicago, Comcast only owns 20% of the channel with the Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox all having a joint ownership in the channel. So it's not like CSN Chicago can be rebranded as NBC Sports Chicago without ruffling some feathers.
Should be interesting to see how this all plays out. Here's a link to more information about "The Golf Channel on NBC": http://www.golfdigest.com/golf-tours-news/blogs/local-knowledge/2011/02/new-golf-channel-head-to-move-methodically.html.
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