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Luis Silberwasser: TNT Sports Looks Forward to Another NBA Season, Reaching Sensible Agreement for All Parties

BSM Staff
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Luis Silberwasser: TNT Sports Looks Forward to Another NBA Season, Reaching Sensible Agreement for All Parties

Over the last several weeks, there have been various reports pertaining to the future of the NBA as its television media rights are set to expire after next season. With The Walt Disney Company (ESPN/ABC) and Amazon’s Prime Video reportedly reaching frameworks of agreements, it is believed that one additional package is up for grabs. TNT Sports, whose parent company Warner Bros. Discovery (then-Turner Broadcasting) has been partnered with the NBA since 1984, is said to be involved in negotiations to try and retain its 35-year partnership with the league. Comcast’s NBCUniversal division, which lost its rights to the NBA following the 2002 season, is reportedly interested in reentering the fold and presenting a $2.5 billion annual bid to do so.

The future of the NBA on TNT has become a significant talking point of late, including what would happen to the Emmy award-winning studio show Inside the NBA. Studio analysts and NBA Hall of Fame members Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal were present at Warner Bros. Discovery’s Upfront event in New York City on Wednesday morning, both participating in different on-stage segments. Luis Silberwasser, TNT Sports division chairman and chief executive officer, addressed the situation surrounding the NBA and provided an update.

“We have enjoyed a successful partnership with the NBA for 40 years, and we look forward to another season and reaching an agreement that makes sense for all the parties,” Silberwasser said. “At the end of the day, we’re sports fans, just like all of you, and our focus remains on delivering the best-in-class experiences that you all expect from TNT Sports.”

Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav revealed during the company’s recent quarterly earnings call that he was hopeful it would be able to come to terms on a deal for the league. The sentiment contrasts a statement Zaslav had made two years earlier when he stated that the company did not “have to have the NBA.” A resolution has yet to be announced by the league despite Bill Simmons, founder of The Ringer and Spotify podcast host, recently articulating that he believed negotiations were complete and that NBC was reacquiring the league.

While on stage at the Upfront event, Silberwasser explained the value proposition of TNT Sports that spans linear television and digital means of distribution. The forthcoming addition of NASCAR was of particular emphasis, which will begin with Atlanta’s Night Race on June 28, 2025. Races within the new five-race In-Season Tournament will air exclusively on TNT and Max, with the latter also including in-car cameras for the races. Championship-winning driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. is also joining the NASCAR broadcast team in 2025 and will contribute to a Bleacher Report content series during the NASCAR Cup Series schedule for TNT Sports.

“At TNT Sports, we are obsessed with creating the most compelling sports content for our fans,” Silberwasser said. “Our talent and approach to producing sports is what has always differentiated us in the marketplace. Honest, unapologetic and entertaining. We authentically engage with fans on all platforms.”

TNT Sports will also execute a new strategy surrounding golf content, including a reimagined iteration of Capital One’s The Match in the fall. Additionally, the company will reveal a redesigned Bleacher Report app with more live video integrations and an ability to construct fan communities. The digital media outlet has garnered a 70% increase in video views over the last year, equating to more than 46 million views per month.

Moreover, Bleacher Report and House of Highlights together have over 227 million followers on social media platforms. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons recently inked a multi-year extension with Bleacher Report through which he will continue hosting his show, The Edge, and also take part in content strategy as president of B/R Gridiron.

Later in the fall, Warner Bros. Discovery, The Walt Disney Company and FOX Corporation are expected to launch a joint streaming venture that implements properties from across its sports portfolios. The offering, which has yet to be named, recently announced that former Apple executive Pete Distad had been named its chief executive officer. This offering is currently facing an antitrust lawsuit by FuboTV, with the entity claiming that the joint streaming venture would augment prices and harm competition. Within the lawsuit, FuboTV cited a report from Brian Steinberg of Variety explaining that the three companies control 85% of the U.S. sports market.

“It is aimed at serving hard-core sports fans, and it is designed to offer more choices to a segment of viewers that currently aren’t served,” Silberwasser said, “and serving sports fans is what we do best.”

Nielsen Media Research recently revealed in its most recent Gauge report that streaming accounts for 38.4% of total day television viewership among Persons 2+. Cable television attained 29.1% of the total day share, while broadcast television was responsible for 22.2% in this regard. The Walt Disney Company finished first in monthly television viewing with an 11.5% total while Warner Bros. Discovery and FOX Corporation ranked fifth and seventh, respectively.

670 The Score Teams Up with the Chicago Cubs for Fundraising to Benefit Cancer Research

BSM Staff
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670 The Score Teams Up with the Chicago Cubs for Fundraising to Benefit Cancer Research

In collaboration with 670 The Score, Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C), and American Airlines, the Chicago Cubs will be hosting “Cubs for a Cure.” This initiative aims to raise funds for cancer research through various events such as a radiothon, an auction of game-used gear, and a special Cubs Charities 50/50 Raffle with a guaranteed jackpot. The culmination of this effort will be during the Cubs’ game against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, August 17th.

“Cubs for a Cure is the evolution of an event we held last year in honor of Lin Brehmer who passed away from cancer,” said Cubs President of Business Operations Crane Kenney in a release. “Unfortunately, Lin’s story is all too common. We all know someone who has been impacted by cancer, so together with our friends at Audacy, Stand Up To Cancer and American Airlines, the Cubs are committed to doing our part. We hope fans join us for Cubs for a Cure and help raise funds to fight this devastating disease.”

Prior to the event, 670 The Score will host a 24-hour radiothon from 10 a.m. CT Thursday, August 15, through 10 a.m. CT Friday, August 16, where listeners can donate to the cause with 100% of the proceeds benefiting cancer research. Cubs players and other VIP guests will take part in the radiothon.

“It’s an honor to host a 24-hour radiothon in partnership with the Cubs,” said 670 The Score host Danny Parkins. “Fundraising for cancer research is a passion of mine as a tribute to my brother Brad who passed away from brain cancer. I look forward to raising money in his honor and for everyone who faces this terrible disease.”

“The goal is to raise as much money as possible for research and to find a cure,” said 670 The Score Vice President of Programming Mitch Rosen. “To partner with an iconic organization like the Cubs, in conjunction with the power of The Score’s audience, should make Cubs for a Cure a great success.”

CNN to Host June Presidential Debate Between Joe Biden and Donald Trump

BNM Staff
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CNN to Host June Presidential Debate Between Joe Biden and Donald Trump

As President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump get set to face off in the 2024 election, there has been a growing fear that the two would not debate each other. However, the two will now debate each other on June 27th on CNN.

During the Republican primary process, Trump refused to participate in debates, pointing to his status as the front-runner as reason for skipping the long-held tradition.

Earlier this year, a coalition of media organizations sent letters to both the Biden and Trump campaigns imploring the candidates to participate in a series of televised debates.

Throughout the campaign process, neither candidate has been overly committed to appearing in the debates. A war of words between the candidates, however, has enticed a potential debate.

“I’ve received and accepted an invitation from (CNN) for a debate on June 27th,” Biden wrote in a social media post. “Over to you, Donald. As you said: anywhere, any time, any place.”

That June 27th date would appear to be a previously undisclosed date for a debate. The Commission on Presidential Debates announced dates for three presidential debates last year. The first debate was scheduled for September 16th, the second on October 1st, and a third on October 9th.

Should Robert F. Kennedy Jr. eclipse polling numbers of 15% or higher in four separate national polls, he will be included in the debate. He has until Thursday, June 20th, to garner those figures.

The debate will be held at CNN’s Atlanta studios. No audience will be present, and moderators for the event will be announced at a later date.

David Haugh: ‘I Am More Surprised’ Green Bay Would Let Doug Gottlieb Do Both Jobs

BSM Staff
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David Haugh: ‘I Am More Surprised’ Green Bay Would Let Doug Gottlieb Do Both Jobs

During the ‘Extra Point’ segment on 670 The Score’s Mully & Haugh show, hosts Mike Mulligan and David Haugh weighed in on the news that the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay hired FOX Sports Radio host Doug Gottlieb as its new head basketball coach. That in itself would be pretty big news, however, it is that Gottlieb plans to still do his daily radio show which is making more of the headlines.

“Look this is unprecedented with Doug Gottlieb,” said Haugh. “I’m fascinated to see how it goes, it’s a lot to take on. I am more surprised, not that he would try it, but that Green Bay would let him do this. You are allowing him to have divided attention and you know that his commitment is 90% to the basketball program. He’s got to give 10% to the radio show, it’s a two-hour national radio show. Even though that doesn’t sound like a lot to some people, it is.

“If you are going to be prepared and not sound like a fool you are going to have to prepare and spend some time. He is good at that and his basketball credentials, I think, speak for themselves. He is an easy target for criticism because he is outspoken, he does say some polarizing things…I don’t know if this is going to work, it’s going to be a lot of fun to watch and to listen to, to see how he balances both things and I do wonder, will it lead to someone else trying this? This is a great platform for Green Bay basketball, and I don’t know if they could ever say that before.”

Mike Mulligan added, “I wonder about Doug Gottlieb as a head coach…I think the tricky part here is keeping his day job with FOX…You better be following your sports and doing your work and putting in all the effort required to get that done. I look at it and wonder how successful he is going to be…It’s a launching pad type job there…Could he replace a certain someone at St. Johns and then maybe get on the FAN in New York, is that his master plan?…The problem is that it is very difficult to do two full time jobs and do them well…it’s very hard to be a guy that’s working at one career, even if it overlaps, and then working at another one…He is going to need a lot of help.”

In making the official announcement at the top of his radio show yesterday, Gottlieb said, “I told my kids this: This is the response to people who want to laugh at it. If no one is laughing at your dreams, you might not be dreaming big enough. So, I am honored, I am motivated, and I am ready, and I am the new head coach at Wisconsin-Green Bay and I ain’t going anywhere with this radio show.”

New York Giants to Be Featured on Offseason Edition of ‘Hard Knocks’

BSM Staff
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New York Giants to Be Featured on Offseason Edition of ‘Hard Knocks’

Ahead of its 100th season in the National Football League, consumers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the New York Giants on the offseason edition of Hard Knocks, as announced by Warner Bros. Discovery at its Upfront event on Wednesday in New York City. The five-part original series, produced in tandem with NFL Films and Skydance Sports and narrated by Liev Schreiber, will debut on Tuesday, July 2 at 9 p.m. EST on HBO and available to stream on Max. Camera crews will capture the team behind the scenes as general manager Joe Schoen and members of the team’s front office and staff prepare for the upcoming season through the offseason period that takes place from January to July 2024.

“We are incredibly proud that Hard Knocks is widely thought of as one of the most successful and entertaining unscripted sports franchises ever produced,” Ross Ketover, senior executive at NFL Films, said in a statement. “To be able to expand on the Hard Knocks universe, and with an elite franchise in the Giants while they celebrate their 100th season, is a privilege for all of us at NFL Films.”

“We are beyond thrilled that the New York Giants have opened their doors to the Hard Knocks cameras for the first time ever,” Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller, executive vice presidents of HBO documentaries; and Bently Weiner, vice president of HBO sports documentaries, said in a statement. “The NFL offseason is a fascinating period that we’ve always wanted to explore and we can’t wait to show football fans everywhere what NFL Films has been capturing behind the scenes at the team’s headquarters.”

The training camp edition of Hard Knocks featuring the New York Jets attained success on Max with a median age of 39, which Casey Bloys, chairman and chief executive officer of HBO and Max Content, revealed was one of the youngest, most male-skewing series on the platform. Following the Jets, the critically acclaimed series showcased the Miami Dolphins as the team attempted to make a run to the Super Bowl. The Hard Knocks series is the recipient of 18 Sports Emmy Awards since its debut in 2001 when it featured the then-defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens.

“As we enter our 100th season, we look forward to providing our fans with the opportunity to see what it takes to build an NFL roster,” Nilay Shah, senior vice president, marketing and brand strategy for the New York Giants, said in a statement. “Beginning the moment the previous season ended, we gave NFL Films unprecedented access to this critical time of the year. We know viewers will gain insight from moments that have never been captured before and are excited for them to learn more about our Giants history.”

Civic Media Flips 1400 WRJN Away From Liberal Talk

BNM Staff
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Civic Media Flips 1400 WRJN Away From Liberal Talk

1400 WRJN in Racine and Kenosha, Wisconsin has been flipped away from its liberal talk format by parent company Civic Media.

The station has been moved back to its previous full-service oldies format.

WRJN became a liberal talk station when it was officially acquired by Civic Media in June of last year. Despite the format flip, the morning show hosted by Don Rosen will continue as previously scheduled, according to RadioInsight.

The company — which expanded to 17 stations with its purchase of the Racine/Kenosha stations last year — says listeners still looking for the liberal talk format in the market are serviced by 540 WAUK, which originates from just north of Milwaukee.

Netflix to Stream NFL Games on Christmas Day

BSM Staff
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Netflix to Stream NFL Games on Christmas Day

Over the last several seasons, the NFL has expanded its reach across various media platforms through broadcast deals with linear and digital outlets. Ahead of the official release of the 2024 NFL schedule on Wednesday night, Netflix signed a three-season deal to gain exclusive rights to stream at least one NFL Christmas Day game each year. Coming to terms on a deal marks the first time the company has license rights to present live football, which will commence with two games on Christmas Day this year. Nielsen Media Research data calculated the NFL as representing 93 out of the top 100 most-watched television broadcasts in 2024.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be the first professional sports league to partner with Netflix to bring live games to fans around the world,” Hans Schroeder, NFL executive vice president of media distribution, said in a statement. “The NFL on Christmas has become a tradition and to partner with Netflix, a service whose biggest day of the year is typically this holiday, is the perfect combination to grow this event globally for NFL fans.”

Netflix, which recently announced that it had approximately 269.6 million paid subscribers in Q1 2024, is reportedly paying $150 million for both games in the 2024 season. CBS Sports televised the early afternoon matchup on the holiday last year between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, which averaged 29.2 million viewers. This represented the most-watched Christmas Day game in 34 years and was up 29% year-over-year from the comparable game that took place the year prior.

The prime-time matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers averaged 27.1 million on ABC and ESPN+, marking the second most-watched Monday Night Football game in 27 years. Both games superseded the average Christmas Day viewership across the five-game NBA schedule that day, which averaged 2.85 million viewers across ESPN and ABC.

Over the last several years, Netflix has forayed into sports-related programming through docuseries, competitions and other related events. The company recently held The Roast of Tom Brady, which featured various former teammates and personnel making jokes about the former NFL quarterback and seven-time Super Bowl champion. Brady was introduced as the analyst within the lead broadcast booth for FOX Sports at the company’s Upfront event in New York City earlier in the week.

Moreover, Netflix plans to broadcast a boxing matchup between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul taking place in July from AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Additionally, the company was involved in production of the sports docuseries Quarterback that premiered last July and will soon release Receiver, the sequel to the venture. Netflix itself will hold an Upfront event on Wednesday night in New York City where it is expected to reveal its forthcoming programming slate.

“Last year, we decided to take a big bet on live — tapping into massive fandoms across comedy, reality TV, sports and more,” Bela Bajaria, Netflix chief content officer, said in a statement. “There are no live annual events, sports or otherwise, that compare with the audiences NFL football attracts. We’re so excited that the NFL’s Christmas Day games will be only on Netflix.”

The NFL will feature several games exclusive to streaming outlets, including a Friday night Week 1 matchup between the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles from São Paulo, Brazil on NBCUniversal’s Peacock outlet. Amazon Prime Video will embark on its third year of presenting Thursday Night Football games coming off a year in which the property averaged 11.86 million viewers across its 13-game schedule. The company presented the first Black Friday football game broadcast last fall and is reportedly expected to stream a matchup during the NFL Wild Card round during the NFL Playoffs.

As a whole, the NFL regular-season schedule of games averaged 17.9 million viewers per game across all networks, the best result in the category since 2015 and up 7% compared to the previous year. The year ended with a record-setting Super Bowl broadcast from Paramount Global that averaged 123.7 million viewers, measured by Nielsen Media Research to be the most people watching the same broadcast in television history.

WCBM 680 Host Kim Klacik Wins Maryland Congressional GOP Primary

BNM Staff
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WCBM 680 host Kim Klacik has won a Republican primary race for Maryland’s second House District, besting two other challengers in the process.

As Marylanders went to the polls Tuesday, nearly 64% of Republicans in the district that represents much of Central Maryland and the counties north of Baltimore voted for the radio host.

It isn’t the first Congressional run for Klacik. She previously ran for election in 2020 in Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. She was elected to a role with the Baltimore County Republican Committee in 2018 and is currently the President of the Baltimore County Republicans Club.

Currently, Kim Klacik is not hosting her midday show on WCBM 680 due to her Congressional bid. Due to the equal-time rule, Klacik’s political opponents would be entitled to the same amount of air time as she receives during her three-hour program.

Report: Greg Olsen to Remain at FOX Sports, Will Team with Joe Davis on NFL Games

BSM Staff
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Report: Greg Olsen to Remain at FOX Sports, Will Team with Joe Davis on NFL Games

With Tom Brady officially introduced as a member of the NFL on FOX team during Monday’s FOX Upfront event in New York City, there have been questions surrounding the future of color commentator Greg Olsen. Olsen worked with play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt and reporters Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi for the last two seasons, including calling Super Bowl LVIII to close the 2022 NFL season at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. Heading into next year, Olsen will reportedly be remaining with the FOX Sports broadcast team working in its No. 2 booth alongside play-by-play announcer Joe Davis, according to Ryan Glasspiegel of the New York Post.

Olsen and Davis have previously worked together when Burkhardt was unavailable to call games due to fulfilling his responsibilities during postseason coverage of the MLB on FOX. Davis had previously paired with Daryl “Moose” Johnston since the 2020 campaign. Johnston also currently serves as the executive vice president of football operations for the United Football League. FOX Sports has not yet officially announced its broadcast pairings for the new NFL season, which will culminate in its broadcast of Super Bowl LIX from New Orleans, La.

Outside of his work on live game broadcasts, Olsen founded a youth sports venture titled Youth, Inc. that recently raised $4.5 million in its seed round. He explained in an interview with Sportico that he lives the youth sports experience in his community and hopes to build the platform in a manner where it can be a “lasting resource that millions of families throughout the country can rely on.”

The NFL on FOX broadcast property will open its 2024 slate of games in the “America’s Game of the Week” broadcast window when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8 at 4:25 p.m. EST. Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi are expected to be on the call for the marquee matchup. Last year, the broadcast window ranked No. 1 among adults 18-49 for the 15th consecutive year with an average of approximately 24.6 million viewers, which was up 2% year over year.

Tom Brady Passes His First Test with Fox Upfront Event

Mark Kreidler
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Tom Brady Passes His First Test with Fox Upfront Event

Well, one thing’s for certain: Tom Brady can B.S. with the best of them.

Guessing you already knew that.

We have no idea what kind of NFL analyst Brady will become, but as a pitchman, no worries. Brady had to participate Monday in the Fox Upfronts, which are sort of broadcast cheerleading sessions for advertisers. He quickly proved that he’s got plenty of flesh-press game.

“I love being part of that Fox family,” Brady schmoozed at one point. “Walking out of my first meeting with Fox, it reminded me of my amazing teammates. To be part of the game I love, to be part of the greatest telecast in football every single week, ultimately made my decision.”

So a Fox programming meeting = Super Bowl winning rosters. Hoo boy. But you see where this is going, and so does Brady: Right to the bank, thanks to a 10-year contract with Fox worth a reported $375 million.

More interesting was the news of Brady’s first assignment. Fox was given the Cowboys-Browns game in the late afternoon window on Sept. 8, with CBS assigned no corresponding contest. (The league and networks have been dripping out these game announcements all week.) That’s a huge early win for Fox, which would’ve done fine with either Brady’s debut in the booth or a national telecast involving the Cowboys, but now gets both.

Brady will be working with Kevin Burkhardt on Fox’s No. 1 announcing team, which makes it at least semi-official that Greg Olsen will have a new role. Olsen has already said as much, though it still seemed to sneak up on some people that he didn’t become a free agent after the 2023-24 NFL season ended and the Brady takeover went into effect.

Olsen said he remains bound to Fox, telling the Charlotte Observer in March, “Still under contract with them. Still get to call some of the best games of the NFL slate.”

What that will look like isn’t entirely clear, and there’s no broadcast universe in which getting bumped from the No. 1 team doesn’t also involve a financial haircut. But Olsen will be fine. He’s really good, and he received strong reviews for his two seasons alongside Burkhardt. There may not be a top job up for grabs right now, but when the time comes, Olsen will be there to take it.

About Brady, there’s just way less known. The game-prep for which he was known as a quarterback certainly won’t hurt him here, but it’s still to be seen which of Brady’s personality traits will come across most powerfully when he’s working four quarters from upstairs.

And the math is different for Brady. It just is. Olsen was a fine, fine football player; Brady is football royalty. What he says and how he says it are going to be scrutinized more closely, probed at greater depth for cues and clues, than virtually anyone else who might settle into that role.

Folks will be trying to crack the T.B. code to figure out whether he’s tossing roses or darts. It’ll be a little Swiftian – maybe only for a while, but at least for that long.

The Upfronts didn’t generate much of that kind of curiosity, but they’re not supposed to. You can’t trust these events; they’re put-ons to get the big media buyers excited about a network’s programming plans for the coming ratings season. It’s show-pony stuff. All Brady proved Monday was that he knows how corporate money moves.

He stood around swapping scripted jokes with Michael Strahan. He listened while Erin Andrews described him as “one of the best storytellers out there” – about which, we’ll see – and he was part of the big finish, when celeb chef Gordon Ramsey, Strahan and Brady gathered together to shout to the advertisers, “Let’s f—ing go!”

Again – nobody’s fault. That’s what the Upfronts are for, and I think we already knew that the seven-time Super Bowl winning QB understands how to handle a moment of public enthusiasm.

But you can’t blame the media buyers, much less the fans, if they’re looking forward to seeing which of the Tom Bradys they’ll get when the games are live and the calls are real. Can’t wait to find out.

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