2487 replies to this topic

[BSLChrisStoner]

We thought that was the case when they went out and hired actual writers. It wasn't. They're just a content farm to draw clicks, but they don't have anything worthwhile to look at.

Right, they actually did hire some quality writers. If they got rid of a heavy % of their contributors, and the slide shows; those would be great steps. However, as you point out, their just a content farm designed for clicks... and they get that. Even before their recent deals, they were one of the Top 5 sports sites. Lots of people just want mindless easy to read slide shows.

[DJ MC]

If they got rid of a heavy % of their contributors, and the slide shows; those would be great steps.

What's that old line about whether Mrs. Lincoln enjoyed the play?

[BSLChrisStoner]

Looks like SI and NBC Sports already had a partnership:

http://insidesportsi...sports-network/

[DJ MC]

http://theclassical.... ... university

It's a long article, but see how far along you can get before you want to put your head in an oven.

[BSLChrisStoner]

Joe Posnanski joins NBC Sports
http://hardballtalk....-joe-posnanski/

[Chris B]

Announced today:

http://msn.foxsports... ... ork-030513

A robust schedule of live events forms the backbone of FOX Sports 1’s programming from Day 1, with college basketball, college football, NASCAR, soccer and UFC all on tap between launch and year’s end. In fact, the schedule on Aug. 17 features live events morning, noon and night including a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race from Michigan and “UFC on FS1 1” in prime time. In 2014, FSMG’s new rights agreement with MLB takes effect, bringing regular and postseason games to FS1.

Unfortunately for FOX, the Big East divorce was not able to be finalized by the announcement this afternoon. It is expected to be in the next several days.

[BobPhelan]

With the UFC big time on FS1, I'll be a regular viewer.

[Chris B]

With the UFC big time on FS1, I'll be a regular viewer.

I'm not sure if it was in the article, but FOX is also reported to be revamping their other NASCAR network, Fuse, to become Fox Sports 2.

Unlike its CBS and NBC counterparts, Fox Sports will not have an issue with actual game programming. They have a lot of deals with a lot of different sports. I'll be interested to see what talk shows (i.e. PTI) or highlight shows (i.e. Sportscenter) will be added.

[DJ MC]

I'm not sure if it was in the article, but FOX is also reported to be revamping their other NASCAR network, Fuse, to become Fox Sports 2.

Unlike its CBS and NBC counterparts, Fox Sports will not have an issue with actual game programming. They have a lot of deals with a lot of different sports. I'll be interested to see what talk shows (i.e. PTI) or highlight shows (i.e. Sportscenter) will be added.

They announced both a daily highlight show, and an afternoon talk show...hosted by Regis Philbin.

Which I'll probably watch, at least to start (can't be any worse than Around the Horn, right? Right? Bueller?

[BSLChrisStoner]

Boston Globe: Networks ratchet up challenges to ESPN
http://www.bostonglo...NW4I/story.html

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports Illustrated: Game of Clones: SportsCenter vs. FoxSports1
http://sportsillustr...wr_a2&eref=sihp

[BSLMikeLowe]

Sports Illustrated: Game of Clones: SportsCenter vs. FoxSports1
http://sportsillustr...wr_a2&eref=sihp

Great news for those who were fans of ESPN's SportsCenter back when it was practically must-see-TV (the 90's). Fox Sports 1 is hiring Jay Onrait and Dan O'Toole, currently the anchors for TSN's SportsCentre (Canada), to anchor their highlight show for the new sports network called Fox Sports Live. For those not familiar with them, Onrait and O'Toole are entertaining, irreverent (without being insulting), and play off one-another perfectly. Pretty much exactly like Patrick and Olbermann were back in the good ol' days of SportsCenter....before ESPN turned their anchors into a bunch of corporate shills. Hopefully Fox won't make the same mistake with their new hires and will let them do their thing.

 

http://www.awfulanno...sports-one.html

[BSLMikeLowe]

On a somewhat related note....

 

 

ESPN Eyes Subsidizing Wireless-Data Plans

ESPN, the cable sports channel majority-owned by Walt Disney Co. has had discussions with at least one major U.S. carrier to subsidize wireless connectivity on behalf of its users, according to people familiar with the matter. Under one potential scenario, the company would pay a carrier to guarantee that people viewing ESPN mobile content wouldn't have that usage counted toward their monthly data caps.

 

 

No such arrangement is imminent, and ESPN isn't sure if the economics will work out, the people familiar with the matter said. There are also concerns that deals of this nature could attract the scrutiny of telecom regulators.

[BSLMikeLowe]

ESPN is about to land all of the U.S. Open Tennis tournament, starting in 2015.

http://www.sportsbus...Media/USTA.aspx

I'm not a tennis fan at all, but there goes another one to cable. The day when the Super Bowl is the last major sporting event on broadcast TV is not that far off, I think. For CBS, who has televised the Open since 1968, this is a huge blow. Along with The Masters, March Madness and NFL, it was one of their last remaining signature sporting events. I guess the silver lining is that now they will be able to have NFL double-headers every other year on Week 1, and they can show SEC football games the first two Saturdays of the season.

Of course, ESPN has a pretty heavy slate of college football itself during the last two Saturdays of the tournament. So it will be interesting to see how they would juggle all of that, since the article says ESPN is committing to air the semis and the finals on the Mothership.

[Chris B]

http://www.barstools...-going-on-here/

[BSLChrisStoner]

Sports on Earth: ESPN's cuts reflect today's corporate media
http://www.sportsone...ticle/48278408/
 

[Markus]

One funny thing I've noticed recently on ESPN, or at least on their ticker at the bottom of the screen is how they credit sources. 

 

Like, if say the AP or USA Today or whomever (other than ESPN) is the one that initially breaks a story the ticker will say something like "Derek Rose has grade 4 ACL & MCL tear, as first reported by USA Today."

 

Than like an hour or so later, once ESPN has been able to confirm the story through their own source the ticker changes to "Derek Rose has grade 4 ACL & MCL tear, as reported by ESPN and other media outlets." 

 

To me, for some reason, it's funny that the initialy source that reports/breaks a story is marginalized once ESPN's own source can confirm a story.

[BSLChrisStoner]

One funny thing I've noticed recently on ESPN, or at least on their ticker at the bottom of the screen is how they credit sources. 

 

Like, if say the AP or USA Today or whomever (other than ESPN) is the one that initially breaks a story the ticker will say something like "Derek Rose has grade 4 ACL & MCL tear, as first reported by USA Today."

 

Than like an hour or so later, once ESPN has been able to confirm the story through their own source the ticker changes to "Derek Rose has grade 4 ACL & MCL tear, as reported by ESPN and other media outlets." 

 

To me, for some reason, it's funny that the initialy source that reports/breaks a story is marginalized once ESPN's own source can confirm a story.

 

Noticed that as well. I think it is somewhat of an improvement though, as ESPN has often been  knocked by others for not crediting breaking stories.

[Markus]

Yeah I mean, on one hand I get it.  ESPN doens't want their viewers to see other media outlets breaking sports news and for their viewers to think "Hey maybe I should also start looking elsewhere first (or at all) for my sports news."  That wouldn't be good for business, ratings, the bottom-line, etc.  So I kinda get it.

 

But something about them, like I said, essentially marginalizing an initial source for breaking news just rubs me the wrong way.

[You Play to Win the Game]

Sports on Earth: ESPN's cuts reflect today's corporate media
http://www.sportsone...ticle/48278408/
 

 

Interesting that increased rights fee's are causing layoffs. I don't like this precedent.