Friday, June 10, 2011
Taking the weekend off...
Title of the blog says it all, enjoy the weekend as i'll be away from the PC all weekend. I'll be back and blogging Sunday night.,
NASCAR on Fox hits a 3 year high in viewership
With the NASCAR season on Fox Sports ending last weekend, executives at Fox Sports must be happy with the final ratings.
According to a press release, Fox Sports saw a three year high in viewership averaging 8.6 million viewers per race, up 9% from last year. Viewership was also up in the key male demographics with the 18-34 demographic up a whopping 20% from last year while other male demographics saw a viewership increase in the single digits.
According to a press release, Fox Sports saw a three year high in viewership averaging 8.6 million viewers per race, up 9% from last year. Viewership was also up in the key male demographics with the 18-34 demographic up a whopping 20% from last year while other male demographics saw a viewership increase in the single digits.
Game 5 of the NBA Finals generates a 12.6 overnight rating
Last night's Game 5 of the NBA Finals bought in strong ratings, delevering a 12.6 overnight rating, boosting ABC to win the night among TV viewers.
The 12.6 rating is up 25% from Game 5 of the 2006 NBA Finals, the last time Dallas & Miami faced each other. The NBA Finals continue with Game 6 Sunday night at 7pm (CT).
The 12.6 rating is up 25% from Game 5 of the 2006 NBA Finals, the last time Dallas & Miami faced each other. The NBA Finals continue with Game 6 Sunday night at 7pm (CT).
ESPN announces a new TV deal with the West Coast Conference
ESPN recently announced an eight year agreement with the West Coast Conference for the TV rights to show WCC men's & women's basketball along with several Olympic sports across multiple ESPN platforms.
According to a press release, the new deal runs through 2018-19 academic year. The new deal will bring 48 men's basketball appearances on various ESPN platforms. There's a catch though to the new deal, conference games count as two appearances and non-conference games count as one appearance. So at most, a minimum of 14 men's conference games will be televised.
In addition, the new deal call for increased coverage of the WCC men's basketball tournament as well as at least 5 women's basketball and Olympic sports telecasts across various ESPN platforms.
ESPN to cover the US Open for the 30th year
Next Sunday is Father's Day and with Father's Day weekend comes the US Open and ESPN is preparing for it's 30th year of televising the US Open.
According to a press release from ESPN, multiple ESPN platforms will team up to provide 44 hours worth of coverage. First round coverage begins Thursday, June 16 at 9am (CT).
For more information, including a complete TV schedule as well as some features that will air during ESPN's coverage, please visit this Web Site.
According to a press release from ESPN, multiple ESPN platforms will team up to provide 44 hours worth of coverage. First round coverage begins Thursday, June 16 at 9am (CT).
For more information, including a complete TV schedule as well as some features that will air during ESPN's coverage, please visit this Web Site.
TV Schedule, Friday June 10
ATP Tennis: AEGON Championships 6:30am on Tennis Channel (coverage continues all day)
Arena Football: Philadelphia @ Spokane 7pm on NFL Network
Auto Racing:
Sprint Cup Series: Pocono 500 Practice 11:30am on Speed Channel
Formula One: Canadian Grand Prix Practice 1pm on Speed Channel
Sprint Cup Series: Pocono 500 Final Practice 2:30pm on Speed Channel
IRL: Firestone Twin 275s Qualifying 5pm on VERSUS (same day tape)
Camping World Series: WinStar World Casino 400K 8pm on Speed Channel
Boxing: Friday Night Fights 8pm on ESPN2
Cycling: Criterium du Dauphine Stage 6 7pm on VERSUS (same day tape)
College Baseball, Super Regionals:
Mississippi St. vs Florida 11am on ESPNU
Stanford vs North Carolina 2pm on ESPNU
Arizona St. vs Texas 6pm on ESPN
Oregon St. vs Vanderbilt 7pm on ESPNU
Golf:
European PGA Tour 8am on Golf Channel
Champions Tour: Greater Hickory Classic (First Round) 11:30am on Golf Channel
PGA Tour: FedEx St. Jude Classic (Second Round) 2pm on Golf Channel
LPGA Tour: State Farm Classic (Second Round) 5:30pm on Golf Channel (same day tape)
MLB Baseball:
Chicago Cubs @ Philadelphia 6pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Boston @ Toronto 6pm on MLB Network (DirecTV channel 214)
St. Louis @ Minnesota 7pm on FS Midwest & FS Wisconsin
Texas @ Minnesota 7pm on FS North
Oakland @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago)+
Kansas City @ LA Angels 9pm on FS Kansas City & Mediacom Channel 22
MLS Soccer: New England @ New York 7:30pm on Fox Soccer Channel
NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Game 5: Boston @ Vancouver 7pm on NBC
Track & Field: NCAA Men's & Women's Outdoor Championships 6:30pm on CBS Sports Network
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional NHL telecasts outside of Iowa.
Arena Football: Philadelphia @ Spokane 7pm on NFL Network
Auto Racing:
Sprint Cup Series: Pocono 500 Practice 11:30am on Speed Channel
Formula One: Canadian Grand Prix Practice 1pm on Speed Channel
Sprint Cup Series: Pocono 500 Final Practice 2:30pm on Speed Channel
IRL: Firestone Twin 275s Qualifying 5pm on VERSUS (same day tape)
Camping World Series: WinStar World Casino 400K 8pm on Speed Channel
Boxing: Friday Night Fights 8pm on ESPN2
Cycling: Criterium du Dauphine Stage 6 7pm on VERSUS (same day tape)
College Baseball, Super Regionals:
Mississippi St. vs Florida 11am on ESPNU
Stanford vs North Carolina 2pm on ESPNU
Arizona St. vs Texas 6pm on ESPN
Oregon St. vs Vanderbilt 7pm on ESPNU
Golf:
European PGA Tour 8am on Golf Channel
Champions Tour: Greater Hickory Classic (First Round) 11:30am on Golf Channel
PGA Tour: FedEx St. Jude Classic (Second Round) 2pm on Golf Channel
LPGA Tour: State Farm Classic (Second Round) 5:30pm on Golf Channel (same day tape)
MLB Baseball:
Chicago Cubs @ Philadelphia 6pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Boston @ Toronto 6pm on MLB Network (DirecTV channel 214)
St. Louis @ Minnesota 7pm on FS Midwest & FS Wisconsin
Texas @ Minnesota 7pm on FS North
Oakland @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago)+
Kansas City @ LA Angels 9pm on FS Kansas City & Mediacom Channel 22
MLS Soccer: New England @ New York 7:30pm on Fox Soccer Channel
NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Game 5: Boston @ Vancouver 7pm on NBC
Track & Field: NCAA Men's & Women's Outdoor Championships 6:30pm on CBS Sports Network
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional NHL telecasts outside of Iowa.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
2011 NBA Finals are the most watched since 2004
The incredible ratings run that the NBA Playoffs have seen this year is showing no signs of letting up. With Game 5 of the NBA Finals tipping off tonight, ESPN is reporting that this years NBA Finals is the most watched since 2004, averaging over 15.5 million viewers per game with over 16 million watching Game 4.
Through 4 games, viewership is up 30% from 2006 which was the last time Dallas and Miami met in The Finals.
Through 4 games, viewership is up 30% from 2006 which was the last time Dallas and Miami met in The Finals.
ESPN gears up for the NCAA Super Regionals
"The Road to Omaha" continues this weekend with the best-of-three NCAA Super Regionals across the country this weekend and the ESPN family of Networks will be all over it.
According to a press release, all possible 24 Super Regional games at various location this weekend will be televised nationally across multiple ESPN platforms.
For a complete schedule of televised games as well as information as to how to stay connected via Twitter, please visit this Web Site.
According to a press release, all possible 24 Super Regional games at various location this weekend will be televised nationally across multiple ESPN platforms.
For a complete schedule of televised games as well as information as to how to stay connected via Twitter, please visit this Web Site.
Des Moines will be in the national spotlight this weekend
Des Moines & Drake Stadium will be in the national spotlight this weekend as the famous blue oval hosts the 2011 NCAA Track & Field Championships and CBS Sports will be in town to provide live coverage.
According to a press release from CBS Sports, the CBS Sports Network (formally known as CBS College Sports) will provide coverage Friday night from 6:30pm-8:30pm (CT) and Saturday on CBS affiliates across the country from 12pm-2pm (CT).
According to a press release from CBS Sports, the CBS Sports Network (formally known as CBS College Sports) will provide coverage Friday night from 6:30pm-8:30pm (CT) and Saturday on CBS affiliates across the country from 12pm-2pm (CT).
NBC Sports Group to provide coverage of the Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes, the final state of horse racing's Triple Crown, is this weekend and the NBC Sports Group is planning on providing over 6 hours worth of coverage.
According to a press release from NBC, the coverage begins Friday at 3pm (CT) on VERSUS with a look back at the most memorable moments from the Belmont Stakes and concludes with a post race show Saturday night on VERSUS beginning at 6pm (CT) Saturday. For a complete schedule of live events from the Belmont Stakes, be sure to check out the blog this weekend.
According to a press release from NBC, the coverage begins Friday at 3pm (CT) on VERSUS with a look back at the most memorable moments from the Belmont Stakes and concludes with a post race show Saturday night on VERSUS beginning at 6pm (CT) Saturday. For a complete schedule of live events from the Belmont Stakes, be sure to check out the blog this weekend.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
TV Schedule, Thursday June 9
Cycling: Criterium du Dauphine, stage 4 4pm on VERSUS (same day tape)
Golf:
European PGA Tour 8am on Golf Channel
PGA Tour: FexEx St. Jude Classic (First Round) 2pm on Golf Channel
LPGA Tour: State Farm Classic (First Round) 5:30pm on Golf Channel (same day tape)
MLB Baseball:
Boston @ NY Yankees 6pm on MLB Network
Chicago Cubs @ Philadelphia 6pm on WGN
NY Mets @ Wisconsin 7pm on FS Wisconsin
St. Louis @ Houston 7pm on FS Midwest
Texas @ Minnesota 7pm on FS North
Oakland @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
MLS Soccer: Chicago @ Sporting Kansas City 9pm on ESPN2
Minor League Baseball: Louisville @ Syracuse 9:30am on MLB Network
NBA Finals, Game 5: Miami @ Dallas 8pm on ABC
WNBA Basketball: Washington @ Atlanta 6pm on ESPN2
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional MLB telecasts outside of Iowa.
Golf:
European PGA Tour 8am on Golf Channel
PGA Tour: FexEx St. Jude Classic (First Round) 2pm on Golf Channel
LPGA Tour: State Farm Classic (First Round) 5:30pm on Golf Channel (same day tape)
MLB Baseball:
Boston @ NY Yankees 6pm on MLB Network
Chicago Cubs @ Philadelphia 6pm on WGN
NY Mets @ Wisconsin 7pm on FS Wisconsin
St. Louis @ Houston 7pm on FS Midwest
Texas @ Minnesota 7pm on FS North
Oakland @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
MLS Soccer: Chicago @ Sporting Kansas City 9pm on ESPN2
Minor League Baseball: Louisville @ Syracuse 9:30am on MLB Network
NBA Finals, Game 5: Miami @ Dallas 8pm on ABC
WNBA Basketball: Washington @ Atlanta 6pm on ESPN2
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional MLB telecasts outside of Iowa.
Game 4 of the NBA Finals generates an 11.1 overnight rating
Game 4 of the NBA Finals last night was the highest rated primetime show of the night. According to a press release from ESPN, Game 4 generated an overnight rating of 11.1 and was the second highest rated game 4 in the last 7 years.
The NBA Finals continue with Game 5 Thursday night at 8pm (CT).
The NBA Finals continue with Game 5 Thursday night at 8pm (CT).
ESPN & the SEC plan to review their mega TV deal
Three years ago, the SEC and their TV partners (ESPN & CBS) announced a 15 year deal valued at nearly $3 billion and alot has changed in the world of sports & TV since then.
The Birmingham News is reporting that the SEC & ESPN will meet sometime in the future to review their TV contract and discuss the current atmosphere in the world of sports & television.
It's really an interesting article that goes into all different sorts of media platforms (everything from TV to streaming to mobile devices) and how the SEC plans to address the new Pac 12 TV deal as well as Texas launching The Longhorn Network later this Summer.
The Birmingham News is reporting that the SEC & ESPN will meet sometime in the future to review their TV contract and discuss the current atmosphere in the world of sports & television.
It's really an interesting article that goes into all different sorts of media platforms (everything from TV to streaming to mobile devices) and how the SEC plans to address the new Pac 12 TV deal as well as Texas launching The Longhorn Network later this Summer.
TV Schedule, Wednesday June 7
Cycling: Criterium du Dauphine, stage 3 4pm on VERSUS
MLB Baseball:
Minnesota @ Cleveland 11am on FS North
Cincinnati @ Chicago Cubs 11:30am on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Boston @ NY Yankees 6pm on ESPN
NY Mets @ Milwaukee 7pm on FS Wisconsin
St. Louis @ Houston 7pm on FS Midwest
Seattle @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Toronto @ Kansas City 7pm on FS Kansas City & Mediacom Channel 22 across Central Iowa
NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Game 4: Vancouver @ Boston 7pm on VERSUS
Women's College World Series: Championship Series, Arizona St. vs Florida 7pm on ESPN2 (if necessary)
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional MLB telecasts across Iowa.
MLB Baseball:
Minnesota @ Cleveland 11am on FS North
Cincinnati @ Chicago Cubs 11:30am on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Boston @ NY Yankees 6pm on ESPN
NY Mets @ Milwaukee 7pm on FS Wisconsin
St. Louis @ Houston 7pm on FS Midwest
Seattle @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Toronto @ Kansas City 7pm on FS Kansas City & Mediacom Channel 22 across Central Iowa
NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Game 4: Vancouver @ Boston 7pm on VERSUS
Women's College World Series: Championship Series, Arizona St. vs Florida 7pm on ESPN2 (if necessary)
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional MLB telecasts across Iowa.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
A story all too familiar for Iowa fans
This afternoon, the Big 10 TV partners that are ESPN and BTN released their schedule of televised games for the first three weeks of September, noticeably absent from the respective cable channels was TV information for Nebraska's first two games as a member of the Big 10 against Tennessee-Chattanooga and Fresno St. The only TV information provided by Nebraska was that Nebraska's first two games were to be televised, however, TV information was to be announced.
Within the last hour, the Omaha World-Hearld is reporting that as of right now, there are no deals in place with several Nebraska cable providers that include Time Warner, Cox Cable, and Charter Cable as well as satellite provider Dish Network that would move the BTN from ala-carte packages to the more popular basic cable and/or widely distributed satellite packages.
You can get the full story in the link provided above to the World-Herald, but this is sounding all too familiar to the battle that existed between Mediacom and the BTN that prevented Iowa fans from watching their Hawkeyes for nearly the first year that the BTN was on the air.
It's still early June, so there is plenty of time to get a deal done, but it's been almost a year to the day that Nebraska joined the Big 10, my question is why has it taken so long to get a deal done?
Within the last hour, the Omaha World-Hearld is reporting that as of right now, there are no deals in place with several Nebraska cable providers that include Time Warner, Cox Cable, and Charter Cable as well as satellite provider Dish Network that would move the BTN from ala-carte packages to the more popular basic cable and/or widely distributed satellite packages.
You can get the full story in the link provided above to the World-Herald, but this is sounding all too familiar to the battle that existed between Mediacom and the BTN that prevented Iowa fans from watching their Hawkeyes for nearly the first year that the BTN was on the air.
It's still early June, so there is plenty of time to get a deal done, but it's been almost a year to the day that Nebraska joined the Big 10, my question is why has it taken so long to get a deal done?
Start times & TV information have been finalized for Iowa's first three games
Last week, the Big 12 announced TV information for select early season games and today, the Big 10 Conference is doing the same.
Here is TV & start time information for Iowa's first 3 games with all times Central:
9/3 against Tennessee Tech at 11am on BTN
9/10 @ Iowa St. 11am on FSN (announced last week)
9/17 against Pitt 11am on ESPN or ESPN2
Over the weekend, I wrote that the Big 10 Conference was looking to reduce the number of games that kickoff at 11am and would be hard to completely eliminate the 11am start.
Once all of the early September start times are finalized for the Big 10 Conference, I will post a link here.
Comments from NBC & Comcast executives on their retainging the US Olympic TV Rights
For those who are interested, here's a link to comments from NBC & Comcast executives on their winning bid today to retain the US Olympic TV rights through 2020.
NBC Sports Group retains the United States Olympic TV rights
The NBC Sports Group has announced they will U.S. Olympic TV Rights through the year 2020 in a deal that is worth more than four billion dollars.
NBC and their cable partners, including VERSUS and the regional Comcast SportsNet's will have exclusive TV rights to the 2014 Winter Olympics, 2016 Summer Olympics, 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
The NBC Sports group beat out Fox Sports and Disney/ABC/ESPN for the U.S. Olympic TV rights.
NBC and their cable partners, including VERSUS and the regional Comcast SportsNet's will have exclusive TV rights to the 2014 Winter Olympics, 2016 Summer Olympics, 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
The NBC Sports group beat out Fox Sports and Disney/ABC/ESPN for the U.S. Olympic TV rights.
Update on the bidding process for the United States Olympic TV rights
Over the course of the last two days, Disney/ABC/ESPN, Fox, and the NBC Sports Group have made their presentations to the International Olympic Committee and all three have delivered their sealed bids. Now, just like the NFL Lockout, we play the waiting game as the IOC will review the bids and will announce who the lucky group is sometime soon.
2011 NBA Finals are the most watched in 7 years
Through the first 3 games of the 2011 NBA Finals, the best-of-seven series between Dallas and Miami, have been averaging 15.3 million viewers per game making it the most watched NBA Finals since 2004. All three games so far have finished as the most watched program in primetime.
The NBA Finals continue tonight with Game 4 at 8pm (CT).
The NBA Finals continue tonight with Game 4 at 8pm (CT).
Monday, June 6, 2011
TV Schedule, Tuesday June 7
Cycling: Criterium du Dauphine, stage 2 4pm on VERSUS (same day tape)
Gold Cup Soccer: United States vs Canada 6:30pm on Fox Soccer Channel
MLB Baseball:
Boston @ NY Yankees 6pm on MLB Network
Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati 6pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Minnesota @ Cleveland 6pm on FS North
NY Mets @ Milwaukee 7pm on FS Wisconsin
St. Louis @ Houston 7pm on FS Midwest
Seattle @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago+
Toronto @ Kansas City 7pm on FS Kansas City & Mediacom Channel 22 across Central Iowa
NBA Finals, Game 4: Miami @ Dallas 8pm on ABC
Women's College World Series, Championship Series Game 2: Arizona St. vs Florida 7pm on ESPN2
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional MLB telecasts outside of Iowa.
Gold Cup Soccer: United States vs Canada 6:30pm on Fox Soccer Channel
MLB Baseball:
Boston @ NY Yankees 6pm on MLB Network
Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati 6pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Minnesota @ Cleveland 6pm on FS North
NY Mets @ Milwaukee 7pm on FS Wisconsin
St. Louis @ Houston 7pm on FS Midwest
Seattle @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago+
Toronto @ Kansas City 7pm on FS Kansas City & Mediacom Channel 22 across Central Iowa
NBA Finals, Game 4: Miami @ Dallas 8pm on ABC
Women's College World Series, Championship Series Game 2: Arizona St. vs Florida 7pm on ESPN2
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional MLB telecasts outside of Iowa.
"NFL on CBS" announces the addition of Marv Albert
Assuming there will be an NFL season in 2011, some big news from CBS Sports this afternoon as Marv Albert will be joining CBS Sports and their coverage of the NFL.
Most recently, Albert was the radio voice of the NFL on Westwood One Radio from 2002-09, called New Jersey Nets games for the YES Network, and will continue to call NBA games for TNT.
Most recently, Albert was the radio voice of the NFL on Westwood One Radio from 2002-09, called New Jersey Nets games for the YES Network, and will continue to call NBA games for TNT.
A look at the ratings from the men's & women's French Open Finals
Tennis' second Grand Slam event of 2011 came to an end yesterday with the Men's Final at The French Open between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The match generated a 2.6 overnight rating up a whopping 63% from last year and generated the highest overnight since the 1999 final between Andre Agassi and Andrei Nedvedev .
On the women's side, Saturday's final generated a 1.7 rating which tied last year for the best overnight rating since 2008.
On the women's side, Saturday's final generated a 1.7 rating which tied last year for the best overnight rating since 2008.
Game 3 of the NBA Finals gets an 11.1 overnight rating
Game 3 of the NBA Finals between Dallas & Miami delivered ABC to a ratings win generating an overnight rating of 11.1 making it the highest rated program of the night.
According to a press release from ESPN, last night's game 3 was the second higest rated game 3 in 7 years and was up 23% from the last time Dallas & Miami squared off in the NBA Finals in 2006.
According to a press release from ESPN, last night's game 3 was the second higest rated game 3 in 7 years and was up 23% from the last time Dallas & Miami squared off in the NBA Finals in 2006.
TNT takes over NASCAR coverage this weekend
Fox Sports yesterday wrapped up it's NASCAR coverage for the 2011 season and this weekend from Pocono Raceway, TNT begins it's month long coverage of NASCAR.
According to a press release from Turner Sports, the broadcast team will consist of Adam Alexander calling the action with commentary from former driver's Wally Dallenbach & Kyle Petty. Chris Neville, Ralph Sheheen, Marty Snider and Matt Yocum will call the action from pit road with Lindsay Czarniak hosting the pre race show.
For a complete schedule of for TNT's coverage of NASCAR as well as information on TNT's new feature called Inside Trax, please visit this Web Site.
According to a press release from Turner Sports, the broadcast team will consist of Adam Alexander calling the action with commentary from former driver's Wally Dallenbach & Kyle Petty. Chris Neville, Ralph Sheheen, Marty Snider and Matt Yocum will call the action from pit road with Lindsay Czarniak hosting the pre race show.
For a complete schedule of for TNT's coverage of NASCAR as well as information on TNT's new feature called Inside Trax, please visit this Web Site.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
TV Schedule, Monday June 6
Cycling: Criterium du Dauphine, stage 2 4pm on VERSUS (same day tape)
MLB Baseball:
Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati 6pm on WHO-DT (subchannel 13.3 & Mediacom Channel 114)
Milwaukee @ Florida 6pm on FS Wisconsin
Minnesota @ Cleveland 6pm on FS North
LA Dodgers @ Philadelphia 6pm on ESPN
Seattle @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Toronto @ Kansas City 7pm on FS Kansas City & across Central Iowa on FS Midwest
MLB 1st-year Player Draft: 6pm on MLB Network
Minor League Baseball: Pawtucket @ Durham 11am on MLB Network
NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Game 3: Vancouver @ Boston 7pm on VERSUS
Women's College World Series Championship Series: Teams TBA 7pm on ESPN2
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional MLB telecasts outside of Iowa.
MLB Baseball:
Chicago Cubs @ Cincinnati 6pm on WHO-DT (subchannel 13.3 & Mediacom Channel 114)
Milwaukee @ Florida 6pm on FS Wisconsin
Minnesota @ Cleveland 6pm on FS North
LA Dodgers @ Philadelphia 6pm on ESPN
Seattle @ Chicago White Sox 7pm on Comcast SportsNet Chicago
Toronto @ Kansas City 7pm on FS Kansas City & across Central Iowa on FS Midwest
MLB 1st-year Player Draft: 6pm on MLB Network
Minor League Baseball: Pawtucket @ Durham 11am on MLB Network
NHL Stanley Cup Finals, Game 3: Vancouver @ Boston 7pm on VERSUS
Women's College World Series Championship Series: Teams TBA 7pm on ESPN2
Disclaimer: All times are Central and blackouts are likely for regional MLB telecasts outside of Iowa.
US Olympic TV rights are up for bid this week
The United States Olympic TV rights for 2014 & 2016 go up for bid this week with both Disney/ABC/ESPN & Fox being expected to make a big challenge to outbid the NBC Sports Group as the exclusive United States TV provider of the Olympic Games.
The sports media blog, fangsbites.com does a great job of handicapping who the favorites are, so I won't go into detail there as to who the favorites and long shots are.
When Dick Ebersol, the man responsible for NBC's coverage of the Olympics, announced he was leaving NBC Sports, it set off a wave of speculation across sports media blogs and message boards that NBC's run at covering the Olympics was coming to an end. I don't think that's going to happen, in fact, I think NBC will severely overpay and retain the United States TV rights for the Olympic Games.
In my opinion, if NBC Sports lost the Olympic Games it would be a massive black eye to the NBC Sports "brand". Other than the Olympics, what are the other marquee events for NBC Sports? Sunday Night Football, that's it. Yes, NBC has the TV rights to the NHL, but the ratings for the Stanley Cup Finals don't even come close to what ABC is getting for their coverage of the NBA Finals. Notre Dame football is a shell of what it once was in the early 90's when NBC Sports became televising home Notre Dame games. Horse Racing's Triple Crown is only big if a horse is actually in contention to win the Triple Crown and the USGA's US Open and the finals of the French Open are niche sporting events at best. In fact, if Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson aren't in contention, forget about the US Open being a big ratings hit.
Unlike Disney/ABC/ESPN, the sports inventory at NBC isn't that great and that's why I think you'll see the NBC Sports Group "break the bank" and maintain the United States TV rights for the 2014 & 16 Olympic Games, espically after the NBC Sports Group lost out on the new Pac 12 TV package to Fox Sports and Disney/ESPN.
The sports media blog, fangsbites.com does a great job of handicapping who the favorites are, so I won't go into detail there as to who the favorites and long shots are.
When Dick Ebersol, the man responsible for NBC's coverage of the Olympics, announced he was leaving NBC Sports, it set off a wave of speculation across sports media blogs and message boards that NBC's run at covering the Olympics was coming to an end. I don't think that's going to happen, in fact, I think NBC will severely overpay and retain the United States TV rights for the Olympic Games.
In my opinion, if NBC Sports lost the Olympic Games it would be a massive black eye to the NBC Sports "brand". Other than the Olympics, what are the other marquee events for NBC Sports? Sunday Night Football, that's it. Yes, NBC has the TV rights to the NHL, but the ratings for the Stanley Cup Finals don't even come close to what ABC is getting for their coverage of the NBA Finals. Notre Dame football is a shell of what it once was in the early 90's when NBC Sports became televising home Notre Dame games. Horse Racing's Triple Crown is only big if a horse is actually in contention to win the Triple Crown and the USGA's US Open and the finals of the French Open are niche sporting events at best. In fact, if Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson aren't in contention, forget about the US Open being a big ratings hit.
Unlike Disney/ABC/ESPN, the sports inventory at NBC isn't that great and that's why I think you'll see the NBC Sports Group "break the bank" and maintain the United States TV rights for the 2014 & 16 Olympic Games, espically after the NBC Sports Group lost out on the new Pac 12 TV package to Fox Sports and Disney/ESPN.
The Pac 12 Network have set the wheels in motion for getting the channel on the air
While the newly created Pac 12 Network is months away from going on the air, behind the scenes work is well underway.
The Boulder Daily Camera is reporting that the Pac 12 has bought in Kevin Weiberg as deputy commissioner, Weiberg was instrumental in getting the BTN up and running.
While Weiberg and Pac 12 Commissioner Larry Brown lean on Stanford AD Bob Bowlsby and Utah AD Chris Hill, who both know the in's and out's of launching a cable network, i'm interested in the distribution side of the Pac 12 Network.
Lot's of questions remain with how the Pac 12 network be distributed. Following the launch of the BTN in August of 2007, the Big 10 went at it alone and did not give a stake in ownership some of the nation's biggest cable providers in the country that include Comcast Cable, Time Warner Cable, and Cox Cable. Unless you had satellite TV, most areas of the country went without the BTN for nearly a year.
On the other side, when the MLB Network went on the air, MLB did in fact give a stake in ownership to the major cable providers and the network went on the air January 1, 2009 to nearly 50 million homes, it was the biggest launch in the history of cable TV.
In addition, when ESPN launches Longhorn Sports Network later this Summer, ESPN & the University of Texas will have the same questions.
Will Pac 12 & Texas go at it alone, or will they give a stake in ownership to the nation's four biggest cable providers? History shows with the MLB Network, the Pac 12 & Texas would be wise to let the nation's biggest cable providers have a ownership stake in their respective cable channels.
The Boulder Daily Camera is reporting that the Pac 12 has bought in Kevin Weiberg as deputy commissioner, Weiberg was instrumental in getting the BTN up and running.
While Weiberg and Pac 12 Commissioner Larry Brown lean on Stanford AD Bob Bowlsby and Utah AD Chris Hill, who both know the in's and out's of launching a cable network, i'm interested in the distribution side of the Pac 12 Network.
Lot's of questions remain with how the Pac 12 network be distributed. Following the launch of the BTN in August of 2007, the Big 10 went at it alone and did not give a stake in ownership some of the nation's biggest cable providers in the country that include Comcast Cable, Time Warner Cable, and Cox Cable. Unless you had satellite TV, most areas of the country went without the BTN for nearly a year.
On the other side, when the MLB Network went on the air, MLB did in fact give a stake in ownership to the major cable providers and the network went on the air January 1, 2009 to nearly 50 million homes, it was the biggest launch in the history of cable TV.
In addition, when ESPN launches Longhorn Sports Network later this Summer, ESPN & the University of Texas will have the same questions.
Will Pac 12 & Texas go at it alone, or will they give a stake in ownership to the nation's four biggest cable providers? History shows with the MLB Network, the Pac 12 & Texas would be wise to let the nation's biggest cable providers have a ownership stake in their respective cable channels.
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