Home Blog Page 1662

The NFL Draft on ESPN Just Makes Sense

Mark Kreidler
-
0
The NFL Draft on ESPN Just Makes Sense

Unlike almost every major pro sports executive you can name, Pete Rozelle didn’t come from a law background. He was a public relations guy. And during his three-decade run as commissioner of the NFL beginning in 1960, Rozelle’s P.R. instincts served him beautifully time and again. He remade the league into an absolute powerhouse.

But Rozelle, whose watch included the AFL-NFL merger, the creation of the Super Bowl and the creation of Monday Night Football, missed one mark: He didn’t think anyone could be made to care enough about the NFL Draft to watch it on television.

That seems almost impossible now, as we sprint headlong into another edition of the three-day traveling extravaganza the draft has become. It’s the Super Bowl for franchises that aren’t close to a Super Bowl, and most of all for their fans.

It is also something that the executives at then-fledgling ESPN foresaw — or, more accurately, something in which they saw the promise. It was ESPN back in 1980 that decided to broadcast the thing, try to make it into something an advertiser would pay for. Their execs basically talked Rozelle into it — and full credit to Rozelle for agreeing, even when his NFL owners unanimously disapproved, fearing that agents would run the show.

ESPN, with its ability to market, its dearth of other programming and its deference to the NFL, was the perfect partner. It was willing to do the legwork needed to make the event something worth paying attention to.

And why not? The little network needed the draft.

Still does, as it turns out.

There’s been some chatter that ESPN might lose its rights to the draft once they expire after the 2025 edition. Among other things, it’s possible that one of the league’s traditional network partners will go crazy with a bid designed to take the rights completely, or that a streaming service will outright buy the draft in order to gain wider entree to the sports audience.

If there’s one thing we’re sure of, it’s that today’s NFL never leaves a buck on the table, so we wouldn’t bet against those possibilities. But the draft has become such a quintessentially ESPN experience that it’s hard to fathom the two not being paired.

It’d be a mistake for both sides if they weren’t.

ESPN’s painful contractions as a pawn in the Disney empire no longer constitute breaking news. Depending upon your personal taste, you’ve probably seen one or more of your preferred on-air talents let go over the past few years, and especially the last year or so.

But the NFL Draft — that’s still an ESPN thing. We all know where to find it, because it’s been in the same place for more than 40 years. This year, you’ll also find it on ABC, the NFL Network and ESPN Deportes, but c’mon, you’ll head to ESPN first. That’s what you always do.

The network didn’t create the draft, but there’s no question it elevated it to a position that even the marketing-savvy Rozelle didn’t imagine. We now have broadcast/streaming access to all three days of the event, and since 2015 the whole production has been on wheels. Last year, the draft was in Kansas City; this year it’s Detroit. Green Bay gets its shot at hosting in 2025.

Occasionally, ESPN does something dumb related to the draft that reminds you the network is a money business, not a public trust. Laying off Todd McShay, an almost perfect foil to Mel Kiper Jr., was one such move, even if it was part of the larger firing pattern the network initiated last year at Disney’s order.

Still, the draft production has endured plenty of turnover through the decades without losing its ESPN-ness. It’s a little bit about the stage look, a little about ESPN’s statistical deep dives on players. It’s a little about Kiper. Whatever it is, the draft on ESPN is about as close to a tradition as anything in the entertainment world ever gets.

It’d be shocking if ESPN doesn’t come heavy during the bidding for future rights to the draft. Among other things, it is already part of a planned consortium sports streaming service — and nothing screams sports app like a round-by-round, team-by-team selection of future talent.

But this is also a moment for both the network and the league to reflect on what makes the thing work. ESPN remains an easy home for the draft, totally accommodating and, as ever, deferential to the league, and for its effort the network gets an anchor tenant for a full weekend of programming every year, plus a seemingly unending run-up of coverage.

The NFL? They get a little hint of the image they constantly try to export, one of tradition and history. That goes back to Public Relations 101. The late, great Pete Rozelle would approve.

Industry Guest Column: Connor Onion Gets Called Up to the Show

BSM Staff
-
0
Industry Guest Column: Connor Onion Gets Called Up to the Show

Connor Onion is a play-by-play broadcaster who has worked for the Big 10 Network since 2021 and has called college football, basketball, baseball and volleyball for the network. He has also done college football, basketball and baseball for ESPN. You can follow Connor on X at @ConnorOnion. Connor recently called his first Major League Baseball game on FS1 and shared his story for today’s guest column:

“¿Cómo estás, papi?”

When I unlocked the passenger door of my 2004 Chevy Suburban, those were the first words I heard from the stranger, a towering man, who climbed in next to me. It was May 15, 2017. I was a broadcasting intern for the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros in Davenport, Iowa.

This was the “other duties as assigned” part of the job. Yes, I called games. But I also was responsible for dropping off and picking up the players at the airport when they were promoted or demoted from our team. The man sitting shotgun was, at the time, a little-known prospect. His name is Yordan Alvarez.

When Alvarez met me with that warm greeting that sunny Midwest morning, I had no idea we were in for a month-long joyride.  Alvarez socked nine homers in the only month he needed at that level of Minor League Baseball. One of his homers landed in the river beyond the right field wall.

Almost two years to the day of our car ride from the airport, Alvarez debuted in the big leagues for the Astros. He’s become American League Rookie of the Year, a World Series champion & a perennial All Star. I watched Alvarez in awe from minor league cities like Clinton, Iowa, Beloit, Wisconsin & Florence, Kentucky, working & hoping to one day join him in “The Show.”

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Connor, you’re getting called up to the big leagues.”

It’s late at night in the Spring of 2024. It’s my agent on the phone, doing his best impression of a Triple-A Manager promoting a prospect.

A cheek-to-cheek smile filled my face as I shared the news with my girlfriend, Danielle. She cried, maybe subconsciously knowing her sacrifice – five years of long distance, weekends away and holidays apart – made this opportunity possible.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Let 10-year-old Connor soak it all in for a couple seconds.”

It’s Saturday, April 13, 2024. I’m in the car on the way to Minute Maid Park as those words come across my phone, a text from one of my best friends. It was a great reminder as I prepared to make my Major League Baseball Broadcasting debut, calling Rangers vs. Astros on FS1 with A.J. Pierzynski and Ken Rosenthal. 

But, before I could “soak it all in”, there was work to do. A closed-door meeting with Astros Manager Joe Espada, where Alex Bregman unknowingly interrupted by banging on the door, begging to be put in the lineup that day.

A breezy 20 minutes spent with Rangers skipper Bruce Bochy, where the game’s best bullpen manager shared with us his day-to-day stresses handling an increasingly injured pitching staff.

A quick exchange with Jose Altuve, who welcomed me to the Astros clubhouse with a handshake that felt like it came from a person twice his height.  

As the clock ticked toward first pitch, there was adrenaline, but I was at ease. Why? The people who believed in me.

Jake Levy gave me my first job in Quad Cities. Joe Brand — a Major League announcer in his own right — made me better every day during our time calling games together in Kane County. Terry Bonadonna – a caring, creative boss – allowed me to be a “lead voice” for the first time in professional baseball.

Those three, and the hundreds more, who helped me were the reason I could “soak it all in” as my producer said, “30 seconds to air.”

For the next three hours, we did what we came to do. We debated intentionally walking Corey Seager and applauded Jose Altuve’s superior strength when breaking the game open with a double. We busted each other’s chops on whether we read or watched Harry Potter.

It was a day “10-year-old Connor” couldn’t believe.

It was a day “2017 Intern Connor” could only dream possible when “2024 Connor” said on the FOX broadcast, “batting second and playing left field for the Astros, Yordan Alvarez.”

“Estoy agradecida, papi. Estoy agradecida.”

I am grateful.

What ESPN Gets Wrong During NHL Coverage

Garrett Searight
-
1
What ESPN Gets Wrong During NHL Coverage

ESPN and the NHL need each other. ESPN needs the NHL’s content for ESPN+, and the NHL needs the exposure being associated with ESPN provides. For better or worse, the two are in a relationship built on necessity.

And when The Worldwide Leader began broadcasting the league in 2021, it came with much fanfare, and justifiably so. Hockey fans believed the network had abandoned them — because that was the truth — and looked forward to seeing the sport return to prominence on shows like SportsCenter, First Take, and The Pat McAfee Show.

Many hockey diehards are adamant that ESPN’s coverage has been lackluster. I don’t share that opinion. I think the talent ESPN has assembled to dissect the game broadcasts, the play-by-players, and studio hosts have all been great additions. Are there some rinkside reporters, analysts, and game-callers that are better than others? Of course, but ESPN has made investments in covering the game that others weren’t willing to make.

However, that doesn’t mean the network’s coverage of the sport is perfect by any stretch of the imagination.

My first criticism is one I have waffled on. I’ve gone back and forth in my head a few different times on how I feel about it.

While one team is on the powerplay, ESPN will display the last name of the player of the team on the man advantage who is possessing the puck.

My first question, which I’m not certain I love the answer to, is: Why?

On the surface, I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing, because I like to assume the network has the game’s best interest at heart. I would guess the person who designed the element thought “We’re building brand awareness and name recognition by displaying the names.”

And that’s all well and good, but I think it comes across as a bit pandering to the audience. It’s almost as if the thought is “You’re not smart enough to figure out who is who on the ice, so we’ll tell you who it is, because this is really hard to follow.” But admitting “this is really hard to follow” isn’t the world’s great sales pitch for why people should watch the sport more, is it?

Also, can you imagine a scenario where, during an NBA broadcast, ESPN would tag LeBron James or Joel Embiid with a graphic showing which of the five players had the ball and where they were on the court? Of course not, because that would be ridiculous.

If giving ESPN the benefit of the doubt and thinking they’re well-intentioned with the use of the technology, I’m willing to accept that it might be good for the game. But my prevailing thought is “If you feel like you need to identify who is who on the ice, we’ve got bigger problems.”

Secondly, this isn’t an ESPN-specific criticism, it’s hockey-specific. The digital ads displayed on the boards are annoying. Not all of them. The static ads are fine. But any ads with motion are the most ridiculous development in broadcasting history. Fast food marketing executives uncovered that motion draws your eyes to whatever is moving. They use it to draw your eyes to new, higher-priced, menu items.

And I understand why advertisers on national television would want you to look at their ads instead of what’s happening on the ice, but…I didn’t tune into the game to watch your ad. Watching commercials is a trade-off for watching the game. But is it unreasonable to expect that the only things moving on the screen are the players and the puck, and not the Enterprise Rent-A-Car logo? Those ads are not a pleasurable viewing experience, and I view the companies who employ them less favorably than those static ads. But I highly doubt anyone cares as long as the check clears.

I have, however, prodded ESPN in the past to be a leader in the industry. I hope they can become a force for change and put their foot down by saying “We’re already encroaching ads all over the playing surface, can we at least make sure they don’t move and draw eyes away from the action?” But, again, when it’s all about the Benjamins, the viewing experience comes second.

Finally, the NHL is a unique sport to call as a play-by-play broadcaster. There’s a certain controlled chaos that comes with a sport that moves that fast. That controlled chaos also comes with a certain energy required to truly replicate the atmosphere felt inside the league’s arenas.

Not to discredit Sean McDonough, who does a good job and is great at college football/basketball, and an outstanding baseball game caller, Bob Wischusen should be the network’s lead play-by-play voice.

Wischusen is equipped with the same qualities that the two national play-by-play voices most closely associated as the best to call hockey — Doc Emerick and Gary Thorne. Great pacing, great energy, an understanding of the game, and he uses his voice as an instrument as well as any hockey broadcaster you’ll hear. His voice lends a gravitas and an energy to the broadcast that McDonough’s just doesn’t. In a fast-paced environment, McDonough just feels more purpose-built for a slower-paced sport.

Overall, the presentation of the NHL on ESPN is good, bordering on very good. I know not everyone shares my opinion on that, but the investment the network has put into the game with studio shows and shoulder programming shows it is serious about providing a pleasurable experience for hockey viewers. But, like nearly everything else, there’s still room for improvement.

Salacious Coverage of Donald Trump Trial Damaging Credibility of Already Suffering News Media

Krystina Alarcon Carroll
-
0
Salacious Coverage of Donald Trump Trial Damaging Credibility of Already Suffering News Media

As Newsmax legal analysts claim President Donald Trump committed no crime, MSNBC analysts are looking to throw the book at him.

The media circus has certainly hit the Big Apple and each outlet has brought along their Waldorf and Statler to play word semantics and overanalyze the court case. There are several issues with the media coverage of this case, but we will focus on three.

The first problem with this coverage is also a necessary evil: pool reporters. It is physically impossible to allow every outlet into the courtroom. Who is in the room is key to neutral reporting.

For those outside of NY, pool reporters are typically selected on a rotating basis (not sure if this is the case in other markets because I’ve only ever worked in the #1). This allows every outlet (and even questionable ones) to observe the defendant in court. When the email came across the pool notes chain saying, “Trump is asleep in court,” I immediately questioned it, because of who it came from. Fortunately, I was not the only one.

Another astute reporter (not me) replied to the massive group chain asking for a second reporter to verify this claim. Only the original person responded back saying yes. Rarely do people publicly question the pool reporters and ask for a second person to verify a pool reporter’s claim. Journalism rule number one, you need three sources to verify information. If we can not trust our pool reporters, every outlet’s reporting suffers.

Second, ramifications of the trial: Outlets on the left are trying to let viewers believe POTUS 45 could spend four years on Rikers Island. The facility, which is home to nearly all of New York City’s criminals, is notorious for gang breeding and corruption. Let’s be very clear: the Secret Service would never let anyone under their protection be held in such a place. If found guilty Trump will likely face a fine and maybe be placed under house arrest.

Additionally, the jail facility does not hold prisoners who are sentenced for more than a year. The idea he will be placed in jail is just an ultra-left fantasy.

If convicted, the following is true: Trump will not be eligible to vote for himself this election cycle, his campaign for the Oval Office can continue, and he could join a list of other elected politicians who have been convicted or pleaded guilty of a federal crime. On the national level, in 1789, Rep. Matthew Lyon (D/R-VT) was re-elected to office while serving a four-month jail sentence.

In more recent history, former Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA) pleaded guilty while in office for the death of Mary Jo Kopechne for the “Chappaquiddick incident,” he was re-elected several times after the alleged accident.

On the local level, current Bridgeport, CT Mayor Joe Ganim is serving a second stint in office after serving time in federal prison. Mayor Duane Gurule, of Rocky Ford, Colorado, is also serving as the town’s Mayor after being convicted of a federal crime. Other recent former mayors who are convicted felons include, Marion Barry (DC) and Jermaine Wilson (Leavenworth, Kansas). 

Additionally, Roy Hebron was elected mayor of Rapides Parish, Louisiana but could not be sworn in because of the state’s constitutional amendment which prevented felons from holding office for five years after they ended their prison sentence. The examples above are a list of Democrats and Republicans. Despite what outlets tell you, people will and have voted for a convicted felon.

While the former President has not been convicted of any felonies, he was convicted for sexually abusing and defaming E. Jean Carroll (no relation). However, members of the media have wrongly said he was convicted of rape, prompting a defamation lawsuit between President Trump, ABC, and George Stephanopoulos. Some speculate this case will have a similar ending to Trump’s defamation suit against CNN.

This opens up my final point: President Trump’s contentious relationship with the media, before, during, and after his presidency. For years before his Presidency, Donald Trump had several run-ins with the media. This caused many outlets to already have a negative or tabloid-esque attitude toward the real estate mogul pre-presidency.

The national media followed suit pandering to their readers’ views instead of reporting fairly on the then-presidential candidate. Take a look at these headlines from his campaign announcement:

  • 
The Guardian: Donald Trump’s tirade on Mexico’s ‘drugs and rapists’ outrages US Latinos
  • New York Daily News: Donald Trump enters 2016 presidential race with bizarre speech insulting Mexican immigrants, lambasting Obama
  • LA Times: Donald Trump enters race, and GOP wonders: Presidency or reality TV?

None of these headlines were flattering. Some didn’t even take him seriously. While the mainstream gave good bland headlines of “Donald Trump enters 2016 presidential race,” the articles themselves were laced with bias. CBS claiming the former president’s speech was “also frequently wrong.” CNN’s article dismissed Trump saying, “Many Americans now view him primarily as a reality-TV star.”

Nevertheless, he dominated the headlines in 2016, won, with outlets quickly realizing he makes people click, giving them revenue many had not seen before.

Since leaving office, POTUS 45 still regally made the headlines. It’s not just because of the many court cases. It’s because he creates really good clickbait, and in turn, revenue, for outlets. 
New York Times: Could Trump Go to Prison? If He Does, the Secret Service Goes, Too

No matter how you split it, Trump and the media have a tumultuous relationship that is negatively impacting and dividing the American public.

Over the last four years, former President Donald Trump has still made consistent headlines more than any other former president. Even Grover Cleveland, who was reelected four years after he left office, made less headlines than Trump while out of office. The media’s obsession on both the left and right has proven to be a great distraction from our current President’s cognitive decline.

Perhaps if the suits (aka C-suite executives) cared more about content and less about ad sales, honest journalists (because there are a few out there) would have to bother less with directives and more on honest journalism.

Let me be clear, yes, this is a historic court case that needs to be covered. However, not with this extent of bias from the left and right sides of the media. We are the fourth estate. We should be serving the American public without corporate or personal bias.

Fox News Leads Coverage of Iran/Israel Bombing

BNM Staff
-
0
Fox News Leads Coverage of Iran/Israel Bombing

Iran launched more than 200 explosive drones and fired missiles at Israel late on Saturday, Apr. 13, which left both network and cable news outlets like Fox News, MSNBC, and CNN scrambling to cover the event. The event was made in retaliation for what Iran called an Israeli strike from Apr. 1 on its consulate in Damascus, the capital of Syria, which killed seven officers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders. 

With the effect of installed defense measures, Iran’s Apr. 13 salvo merely caused light damage to one Israeli military facility. All this with the ongoing Israeli-Hamas war as the backdrop.

Breaking news of Iran’s attack on Israel arrived in the U.S. at 4 p.m. Eastern on Apr. 13.

CBS briefly interrupted third-round coverage of The Masters golf tournament for the special report. Although their initial news brief was not separately tabulated by Nielsen, the network averaged 6.595 million total viewers including 1.892 million within the 25-54 demographic from 3 p.m. to 7:17 p.m. Eastern, marking CBS as the most-watched outlet in announcing this news. Their report following Masters Day 3’s conclusion, at 7:54-8:01 p.m., drew 2.498 million viewers and 499,000 adults 25-54.

The Saturday edition of NBC Nightly News (4.168 million viewers; 415,000 adults 25-54) did better in total viewers over ABC’s World News Tonight (3.684 million viewers; 451,000 adults 25-54) but ABC’s newscast outperformed NBC’s in the key 25-54 demographic. ABC’s extra half-hour special report at 7:30 p.m. Eastern delivered 2.245 million viewers and 331,000 adults 25-54.

On the following morning (Sunday Apr. 14), the first half-hour of CBS’ Face the Nation (2.554 million viewers; 437,000 adults 25-54) was the morning’s top public affairs program, followed by ABC’s This Week (2.258 million viewers; 370,000 adults 25-54). NBC’s Meet the Press (10 AM to 10:49 AM: 2.173 million viewers; 376,000 adults 25-54) and Fox News Sunday (0.984 million viewers; 219,000 adults 25-54).

The second half-hour of Face the Nation, which is lesser distributed to CBS affiliates, drew 2.007 million viewers and 340,000 adults 25-54.

Back to Apr. 13, Fox News led all cable outlets in extensive breaking news coverage, peaking at the 8-9 p.m. ET hour with 2.488 million viewers including 302,000 adults 25-54.

CNN, which also peaked in audience figures within the 8-9 p.m. ET hour (as the hourly breakdowns below indicate), was relatively even with Fox News in the 25-54 demo, averaging 219,000 within the demo from 4-11 p.m. ET (FNC: 221,000).

CNN (981,000) also managed to best MSNBC (723,000) among total viewers.

As for the news netlets, Newsmax’s 6.5 hours of coverage (373,000 viewers; 28,000 adults 25-54) easily outdelivered NewsNation’s four hours (119,000 viewers; 16,000 adults 25-54).

The following are the hourly breakdowns of each cable network on Apr. 13 from 4-11 p.m. ET:

4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

  • Fox News: 1.035 million viewers; 101,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 624,000 viewers; 105,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 583,000 viewers; 66,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax (4:30-11 p.m.): 373,000 viewers; 28,000 adults 25-54

5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.

  • Fox News: 1.514 million viewers; 165,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 878,000 viewers; 184,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 809,000 viewers; 86,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax (4:30-11 p.m.): 373,000 viewers; 28,000 adults 25-54

6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

  • Fox News: 1.702 million viewers; 229,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 985,000 viewers; 235,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 810,000 viewers; 116,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax (4:30-11 p.m.): 373,000 viewers; 28,000 adults 25-54

7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

  • Fox News: 2.142 million viewers; 278,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 1.198 million viewers; 262,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC (7-9 p.m.): 846,000 viewers; 118,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax (4:30-11 p.m.): 373,000 viewers; 28,000 adults 25-54
  • NewsNation: 161,000 viewers; 26,000 adults 25-54

8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

  • Fox News: 2.488 million viewers; 302,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 1.254 million viewers; 264,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC (7-9 p.m.): 846,000 viewers; 118,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax (4:30-11 p.m.): 373,000 viewers; 28,000 adults 25-54
  • NewsNation: 116,000 viewers; 15,000 adults 25-54

9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

  • Fox News: 2.023 million viewers; 250,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 1.083 million viewers; 266,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 627,000 viewers; 59,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax (4:30-11 p.m.): 373,000 viewers; 28,000 adults 25-54
  • NewsNation: 113,000 viewers; 11,000 adults 25-54

10:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

  • Fox News: 1.802 million viewers; 279,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 847,000 viewers; 215,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 545,000 viewers; 62,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax (4:30-11 p.m.): 373,000 viewers; 28,000 adults 25-54
  • NewsNation: 85,000 viewers; 10,000 adults 25-54

Ken Carman: Cavaliers-Magic Blackout Was a ‘Bleep You to Everybody for the Night’

BSM Staff
-
0
Ken Carman: Cavaliers-Magic Blackout Was a ‘Bleep You to Everybody for the Night’

As the Cleveland Cavaliers took a two-game lead in the first round of the NBA playoffs against the Orlando Magic, several fans of the teams were incensed because of their inability to access the game. On Monday night, fans within the home marketplaces for the Cavaliers and Magic were blacked out from watching the game on NBA.TV both through the cable channel and utilizing an NBA League Pass subscription. Ken Carman, morning show host on 92.3 The Fan, was among the people affected by this circumstance.

When Carman was doing the preview show for the NFL Draft, he turned his television from NBA.TV to another channel and then checked social media where he saw complaints. From there, he placed his television back on NBA.TV to discover that he too was blacked out and unable to watch the game, despite being a regular cable subscriber amid an era predicated by hastened cord cutting. Carman then asked if there were people who had the Bally Sports app and were also blacked out from watching the contest. Carman’s co-host Anthony Lima then explained he had learned of an issue with the geotracking that was not recognizing the locale where devices from which users were trying to access the game.

“It seems like they were there, and there were people who were not cable subscribers who said that they were blacked out, and then there were people who said they had Fubo,” Carman explained. “So I have somebody here who says that they have Fubo and they were able to watch it, but I know for a fact there were people who said they had Fubo and they were not able to watch that game last night. That is a miss.”

Lima continued by stating that he had never before received such a deluge of texts pertaining to a big game in the Cleveland area. People were evidently wondering how they would be able to access the game, leading some users to experiment utilizing VPNs to try and watch.

“I saw people, influencers, making screaming videos, and I understand the frustration, but we know – me and you know – we have to be able to have every game available to us, so that’s why we get cable,” Lima said, addressing Carman in his comments. “I don’t know what to tell people who somehow, someway – unless there was a legitimate mistake made – did people think they were going to be able to get NBA.TV?”

“It is the internet – you can’t fix that type of mistake quickly?,” Carman replied. “That’s just a solid bleep you to everybody for the night.”

Non-Compete Agreements Banned After FTC Votes to Outlaw Practice

BNM Staff
-
0
Non-Compete Agreements Banned After FTC Votes to Outlaw Practice

In a 3-2 vote on Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) outlawed non-compete agreements.

Pending litigation, the new rule will take effect in 120 days, leaving existing non-compete agreements for the overwhelming majority of workers no longer enforceable. Some senior executives under non-competes will remain in place but employers will be restricted from beginning new agreements or attempting to enforce a new restriction against senior executives.

“Noncompete clauses keep wages low, suppress new ideas, and rob the American economy of dynamism, including from the more than 8,500 new startups that would be created a year once noncompetes are banned,” said FTC Chair Lina M. Khan.

“The FTC’s final rule to ban noncompetes will ensure Americans have the freedom to pursue a new job, start a new business, or bring a new idea to market.”

FTC estimates claim the elimination of the practice will lead to new business formation growing by 2.7% each year, with an additional 8,500 businesses expected to be established once the new rules take place. The commission also expects more patents to be applied for after the elimination of the longstanding practice.

The FTC originally proposed eliminating non-compete agreements in January 2023. At the time, the NAB strongly disagreed with the proposal, enlisting the help of members of Congress to attempt to fight the proposed change. However, the commission claims it received more than 26,000 comments on the proposal, with 25,000 in support of the ban.

iHeartMedia to Launch Women’s Sports Audio Network with Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment

BSM Staff
-
0
iHeartMedia to Launch Women’s Sports Audio Network with Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment

iHeartMedia announced it is partnering with Deep Blue Sports + Entertainment to launch the Women’s Sports Audio Network (WSAN). Deep Blue is led by Founder/CEO Laura Correnti and former WNBA star Sue Bird as Chief Strategy Officer.

The brand is described as the first-ever audio platform dedicated exclusively to women’s sports podcasts, daily sports reports, spotlights and audio vignettes, social content, promotion and industry event presence, and will be available across iHeartMedia’s broadcast, digital and podcast platforms and everywhere podcasts are heard.

The new network will offer talent and programming year-round with talent such as former ESPN personality Sarah Spain and former WNBA and US Olympic Basketball star Sheryl Swoopes. iHeart has committed to running dedicated women’s sports reports daily across its network of over 500 stations and digital streams.

iHeartMedia Chief Marketing Officer Gayle Troberman said, “Women’s sports are on fire and so is audio. The timing is perfect to deliver on the massive fan excitement today and most importantly use the power of iHeart’s massive audience reach to ensure women’s sports gets the attention it deserves. We all win when the athletes, the fans and the brands get to play together every day in the biggest audio arena on the planet at iHeart.”

Deep Blue CEO Correnti stated, “While women’s sports continue to break ratings and attendance records on a seemingly regular basis – it’s imperative the media marketplace and commercial investment keep pace to not just meet consumer demand, but sustain this growth market. By partnering with iHeartMedia, we’re unlocking the ability to immediately share more women’s sports stories with more fans while addressing the need for more discovery, visibility and scale – a common pain point for the advertising and media marketplace in this space. This partnership effectively moves the coverage of women’s sports from 15% to 90% overnight through the power of audio.”

NAB Announces Contract Extension For President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt

BNM Staff
-
0
NAB Announces Contract Extension For President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has announced a contract extension for President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt, keeping him with the organization through 2029.

“I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the leadership of NAB,” said LeGeyt. “Representing the broadcast television and radio stations that unite our communities during this transformative period in media is a privilege. The growing importance of our stations in delivering news and information Americans can trust drives my commitment to this vital industry.

“I am grateful for the faith placed in me by the NAB Board of Directors and our members, and I am committed to an innovation agenda that allows local TV and radio to thrive well into the future for the betterment of our communities.”

During his tenure as President and CEO, the organization has advocated for numerous policies that have enabled broadcasters to compete with big tech. The NAB has also overseen the reduction of broadcast regulatory fees for local stations during LeGeyt’s leadership.

“NAB and its members are thrilled to have Curtis LeGeyt leading our advocacy efforts in Washington and delighted about his contract extension,” said NAB Join Board Chair and Chairman/CEO of Nexstar Media Group Perry Sook.

“Curtis has demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and an unwavering dedication to the future of broadcasting, ensuring NAB remains at the forefront of innovation. We are confident in his ability to drive continued success for NAB and its members.”

Curtis LeGeyt was elevated to the role of President and CEO in January 2022. He previously worked for the organization as its Chief Operating Officer and also served as the Executive Vice President of Government Relations for the association from 2015-2020.

In addition to his role with the National Association of Broadcasters, he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Broadcasters Foundation of America.

Advertising Dropped 8% in February, New Report Shows

BNM Staff
-
0
Advertising Dropped 8% in February, New Report Shows

The first quarter is a notoriously fickle advertising market in media circles. A new report has illuminated just how difficult that nut can be to crack.

According to results published by MediaRadar, $10.8 billion was spent in advertising during the month of February. That number is down 8% from the 11.8 billion seen during the second month of 2023.

The decline coincides with a 7% decrease during January, which the company claimed is “not abnormal” compared to other years.

There were bright spots, however. The company claims it saw 20,000 different brands purchase advertising in at least one new format during the second month of the year. Meanwhile, 10,300 companies tracked fit into one of three categories: professional services, tech, or home furnishings, according to Inside Radio.

While overall advertising dropped in the first two months of the year, MediaRadar revealed that local TV ad spending grew by 11% in February compared to the same month in 2023. It added that it forecasts an increase in local ad spending in 2024, despite the first two months getting off to a slow start.

1...1,6611,6621,663...2,889Page 1,662 of 2,889