Sports Media Beat

Melanie Newman made history on Aug. 4, becoming the first female to broadcast play-by-play for the Baltimore Orioles in their game against the Miami Marlins. Also, PGA ratings remain solid for CBS. All that and more is discussed in the latest SMB. Below are the show notes for the podcast: PGA Tour on CBSWGC-St. Jude's Classic- Sun., Aug. 2- 2.1/3.2M- Up 31% in ratings and 39% in viewership- Tour on CBS has averaged 2.46M-...

There are reports that the Pac-12 bought coverage for its conference in a deal with the Los Angeles Times. In almost a quid-pro-quo relationship, the flagging conference bought advertising from the newspaper in return for sports coverage. Has this opened a Pandora's Box? Also, among the stories covered: ESPN hires new voiceNotre Dame football joins ACCCBS adding drones and fly cams to PGA coverageDavis Love III leaves C...

After a nearly four-month delay, Major League Baseball began its truncated 2020 season on July 23 and the sport played to record ratings. By the weekend, however, baseball's ratings had weakened. Meanwhile, the Google News Initiative is prepared to challenge the subscription-based sports website, The Athletic. Working in conjunction with newspapers across the USA, Google is looking to breath life into the flagging newspape...

When the major league baseball season launches its truncated 2020 season on July 23, fans will not be allowed in the stands, because of COVID-19. That is not stopping FOX Sports from being innovative, however. When the network carries the Yankees-Nationals game on Saturday, there will be virtual fans in the stands. FOX will also have broadcasters Joe Buck and John Smoltz in separate studios far away from where the game will be pla...

As they prepare to start a truncated season in the Covid-era, Major League Baseball will take its already high tech television production to the next level. MLB plans to become even more interactive in an effort to appeal to a younger demographic. Meanwhile, shaken to its core over allegations of sexual harassment by 15 former female employees, the Washington NFL franchise is beginning to make changes. The club has announced the...

Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster Tim McCarver will not broadcast baseball games in 2020. In this latest edition of the Sports Media Beat, host Dan Lovallo explains why McCarver will not be behind the microphone. Lovallo also discusses other sports-related media news, including what happened to the archives of the Mike and the Mad Dog Show on WFAN radio in New York. Ratings for golf and NASCAR continue to rise and the WNBA is go...

Mike Golic is out on ESPN radio and radio takes a major ratings hit. In his latest podcast, host Dan Lovallo explains why radio ratings are down 40% in the Boston market and how it has impacted sports talk radio. That said, the sports ratings war in Boston seems to have take a one-sided turn. Plus the numbers are in for NASCAR and Formula 1 racing and they are encouraging. But what of baseball? Will the games be played? All...

Conjecture seems to be growing that the NFL will reduce its preseason from four to two games because of Covid-19. Although no official announcement has been made at the time of this podcast, various stories seem to indicate the NFL could get a later summer start, because of the virus. Such a move would obviously effect the NFL's TV contracts with the major networks. Meanwhile, the virus will impact 79-year-old legendary s...

The effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt, as the NFL announces it will cancel the 2020 Hall of Fame game scheduled for Canton, OH, along with the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. The exhibition game is the first of the NFL season, but the league announced on June 25 there would not be a game on Aug 6. The enshrinement ceremony and game will return in 2021 and the game will feature the same clubs scheduled for 2020, Dallas vs. ...

CBS and football commentator Tony Romo have agreed to a massive new contract that could set a record and make Romo the highest paid sportscaster. About to become a free agent, with his contract expiring over the weekend, Romo - the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback - and the network have reportedly agreed to a new multi-year deal worth $17M a year. Also, You Tube TV has agreed to extend its carrying of Sinclair's regional sport...

The Dallas Cowboys remain 'America's team' even though they have not been to a Super Bowl since 1996.  Why is that.  And You Tube TV drops regional sports networks.  I talk about this and much more.  Links to stories below: You Tube drops regional sports networks ESPN audio dominates Tony Romo to hit open market Dallas Cowboys remain 'America's team' ACC spring football Big 3 basketball returns ...

Like a home run, the Oakland Athletics are saying bye-bye to their flagship radio station opting to present their audio play-by-play on the app TuneIn.  And as it turns out, the ratings for the Daytona 500 were down because of Sunday's postponement.  I talk about this and link to other stories discussed in the podcast: Daytona 500 ratings ESPN baseball broadcasting crews Oakland Athletics ditch radio NFL would expand p...

Ratings for NASCAR's Daytona 500 on Sunday accelerated, although the numbers for Monday's conclusion to the race are not yet known, as of this podcast.  Also good news for the NBA All-Star game.  Here are the links to the stories I covered in this edition of the Sports Media Beat. NASCAR ratings NBA All-Star game Commissioner Adam Silver NBC's streaming services at odds? IMG Arena and NHL expand deal Sincla...

In its debut weekend, the XFL was a hit on television, especially with the younger demos.  As it turns out, more people watched the Super Bowl than first reported.  And how the Yankees calculate their ratings on the YES Network could mean more ad revenue and be a trend setter.  I run it all down with links below on my latest Sports Media Beat. Here are the links to the stories: XFL opening ratings Super Bowl audience larger t...

The XFL debuts this weekend and sportscaster Dan Lovallo talks about the games on the schedule in addition to some other interesting facets about the new league.  Super Bowl ratings were mixed, although slightly up on television overall.  Dan has the numbers.  Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred is not happy with national broadcasters who also work for other clubs in the administrative end.  Lovallo will explain.  Plus much, much mor...