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NBA Hoping Tech Bids Will Drive Television Deal Upward

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NBA Hoping Tech Bids Will Drive Television Deal Upward

With ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery dealing with debts and other television rights deals, the NBA is hoping interest from tech companies can help propel a potential rights fee increase.

According to a report from Sahil Patel of The Information, both Amazon and Google have expressed interest in partnering with the league for its next television deal. Amazon was described as being interested in a deal but had “no intention of overpaying for a high-priced” package with the NBA.

The NBA has reportedly been looking for a deal that would triple its current television deals, putting it in the $50-$75 billion ballpark throughout an upcoming contract.

However, Patel’s report claims television executives have privately shared that the NBA should look to “temper its expectations of how much it can increase the fees, arguing that the economics of the deal prices they’re targeting simply don’t work.”

A streaming-only package is expected to be created for the NBA’s next television deal, which has been the interest of Amazon, YouTube, and potentially Apple. Others have posited that NBC’s Peacock could also be a potential home for the NBA’s streaming-only package. NBC is reported to be preparing an “aggressive bid” for the rights, which it lost in 2002.

Potential suitors will have plenty of time to plot bids for the NBA’s television rights. Its current contract doesn’t expire until after the 2024-2025 season.

Aaron Rodgers Told Adam Schefter ‘Lose My Number’

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Aaron Rodgers Told Adam Schefter ‘Lose My Number’

Aaron Rodgers joined The Pat McAfee Show for a highly anticipated interview. During the interview, Rodgers revealed he intends to play the 2023 NFL season with the New York Jets after a Hall of Fame career with the Green Bay Packers.

One of the other revelations given by Rodgers was the interaction he had with ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Rodgers was asked about a report from ESPN’s Diana Russini that claimed the quarterback had given a list of names to the Jets he would like to see the franchise sign, to make his transition to the club easier.

“It’s so ridiculous,” Rodgers said. “Ask Schefter what I text him when he somehow got my number and texted me. I didn’t respond to Diana Russini — I think her name is? — she got my number as well. I would say the same thing I told Schefty: lose my number. Nice try. I’ll speak for myself, I’m sure there will be people that have their sources. But from what I’ve seen, I had a sheet of paper when I met with the Jets and I said sign these people? That’s not the reality. That’s so ridiculous. It’s so stupid to think that I would do that.”

After the statement from Rodgers, Schefter tweeted a screenshot of the response from Rodgers admitting that it was indeed what the Packers quarterback said.

After McAfee informed Rodgers about Schefter’s tweet, he took exception to the communication being shared publicly.

“I can share what he sent me if he’s gonna share my texts. He doesn’t want that, does he?” Rodgers concluded.

The interview between Rodgers and McAfee was a boondoggle for the program. Nearly 500,000 viewers were tuned into the show to hear what the quarterback’s future plans entailed, in which he admitted that before his “darkness retreat” he was 90% sure he would retire, but has since declared his intention to continue playing.

ESPN Unveils April KayRod Cast Schedule

BSM Staff
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MLB’s Opening Day is coming up, and ESPN is plotting its Sunday Night Baseball and KayRod Cast schedule.

New York Yankees television play-by-play announcer and 98.7 ESPN New York afternoon host Michael Kay will be joined once again by former 14-time All-Star Alex Rodriguez for the alternate broadcast’s second season.

The April dates for the alternate broadcast are:
Sunday, April 2nd: Philadelphia vs Texas
Sunday, April 16th: Texas vs Houston
Sunday, April 30th: Philadelphia vs Houston

The final April matchup features a World Series rematch as the Astros defeated the Phillies to capture the 2022 Fall Classic.

Kay and Rodriguez are familiar with the Phillies. The pair called the team’s Wild Card Series against St. Louis Cardinals last season.

The pairing of Kay and Rodriguez is slated to grow in 2023. In addition to their Sunday Night Baseball alternate broadcast, the duo will announce ESPN’s coverage of the MLB London Series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals in June.

ESPN added it will have an announcement on additional dates for the alternate broadcast soon.

Rich Shertenlieb: Big City Greens Game Is One Thing NHL Did Right in Broadcasting

BSM Staff
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Rich Shertenlieb was away from home on Tuesday night and wanted to watch some hockey. Between NHL broadcasting options and hotels not having traditional cable packages, he was forced to log into NESN 360 to watch the Bruins play.

Unfortunately, the app was not cooperating. If Rich was going to watch hockey, it wasn’t going to be the Bruins. That is when he stumbled on to the most unique presentation of NHL hockey ever.

“In conjunction with the Disney Channel, the NHL did something crazy,” he explained on Wednesday’s edition of Toucher & Rich. “And they’re a league that does everything to ruin the viewership of the product by streaming games in different places. For example, the Connor McDavid versus the Bruins game was hidden from the world on ESPN+, and that was a marquee showcase. They did one thing right.”

Disney XD used its popular cartoon series Big City Greens as the theme of the presentation.

“They had that game being played on Disney except everyone of the players was a cartoon character from that deal,” Shertenlieb explained to the 98.5 The Sports Hub audience. “On top of that, Kevin Weekes, and I forget who the other broadcaster was, like real NHL broadcasters, were these giant cartoon people and it was fascinating. It was absolutely fascinating.”

Computers used tracking information from the puck and from devices embedded in players’ jerseys to animate the action nearly in real-time. Everything on the screen looked like characters and environments from the cartoon series. There was only a 20 second delay between the live game and the broadcast.

“I have never wanted edibles more in my life,” Shertenlieb said, joking that he wondered how the animators would have handled a truly gruesome injury on the ice.

Toucher and Rich have had both the NHL and NESN in their crosshairs recently. It isn’t a surprise that Shertenleib’s frustration with the $30 per month app or the NHL’s inability to make content easy to find led to the discovery of the Big City Greens game on Disney XD. Rich Shertenlieb was glad it worked out like it did.

“It was exactly what the doctor ordered”.

Draymond Green Wins Best Sports Podcast at iHeartPodcast Awards

BSM Staff
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Draymond Green Wins Best Sports Podcast at iHeartPodcast Awards

The 2023 iHeartPodcast Awards were held Tuesday night, and it was a night The Volume’s Draymond Green won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

The Draymond Green Show took home the award for Best Sports Podcast. Others nominated were iHeartPodcast’s All The Smoke, The Fantasy Footballers, ESPN’s The Lowe Post, and The Ringer’s The Bill Simmons Podcast.

Green was alerted to the news before the show, with The Volume posting a video of the Golden State Warriors star being told by the company’s founder — Colin Cowherd — that he had won the award.

“That’s insane,” Green said.

“It’s not insane. You’re great, you’ve earned it, you’re coachable, I’m so proud of you,” Cowherd said. “We’re so lucky to have you.”

“I’m honored — quite frankly — to be mentioned with such great hosts, such great shows” Green said. “It’s absolutely incredible. I can’t thank you guys, The Volume, iHeart, our partnership, enough. When I got into this space, I was a little nervous about getting into this space because I’m always worried about losing me in something that I do and not being authentic and true to who I am.

“To have partners who don’t want you to conform to what people want you to say and having the power and support to do it your way. That’s been my whole career. That’s what made me Draymond Green as the world knows him and not just what our show has grown into. I’m honored. Those show that you mentioned? Those are shows I watch, those are shows I love, and to win this award, I’m honored.”

The Draymond Green Show launched in November 2021.

Molly Qerim: I’ve Never Really Cared About Being the Star of First Take

BSM Staff
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Molly Qerim: I’ve Never Really Cared About Being the Star of First Take

For the last seven years, Molly Qerim has been hosting First Take on ESPN. While the show has gone through changes during that time, there is one thing that hasn’t changed and that is her desire to not be the star of the show.

Qerim was a guest on the Rise and Schein Podcast this week and she was asked by Schein how she balances being herself on the show and she said she doesn’t really care about being the star.

“I think one reason why it works is because Stephen A. is the star of the show. I’ve never really cared about that. I like being a part of a team. I think that’s why early on I kind of transitioned, there was some sideline opportunities that would have been pretty big for me and I decided to stay in studio.

“Obviously, when you are on the sidelines, you are also a part of a team. In terms of the rapport, hosting, and being on the desk, that’s my favorite part. Having fun with the guys, going back-and-forth, we all like to talk a lot of trash.”

Smith and Qerim have gone through many things together and she appreciates that the two of them share the same goal of making First Take the show that it is.

“Stephen A and I have such a great working relationship because we really respect each other. We’ve worked together for seven years, we’ve gone through a lot individually, personally, and a lot of the times sometimes with the show it feels sort of like First Take vs. everybody in terms of clickbait and certain things that garner a lot of attention. Right now, it’s just the two of us. I think there’s that mutual respect.

“Even though we will give each other so much crap at the end of the day, it’s the same team, common goal. In terms of him being the star, I’m not trying to be the star. I want to be a part of the team. I want to have fun, I want to do my job, and I hopefully want to do it well. I’m more worried about the show. That’s my focus. I think that’s why I was able to last in this role for a long time because I try not to have an ego in it.”

Qerim mentioned that it did take her a while to find her voice, but having a large family helped her be comfortable because she will act the same way on the show as she does around her family.

“Honestly, I’m just being myself. It’s the same kind of thing. I come from a big family. It’s just kind of me being me. When it’s like ‘Okay guys, reel it in’ that’s the same thing I would be saying at the dinner table. In a lot of ways, it feels very natural and it feels very organic. With that being said, it took a long time to find my voice I think to the level that I have now.”

The latest addition to First Take was having Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on Wednesdays and Qerim thought one question Russo asked her after a show was shocking.

“After the show, he was like ‘So what did you think? What could I do better?’ Wait, what just happened? That showed his humility and he really cared. He’s such great energy and it’s so much fun.

“If you ever watch him take notes during the show, it’s the strangest, weirdest things. It’s a beautiful mind. He’s been a great addition. I hope he’s here for a while.”

Greg Gumbel Loses NFL Gig In New CBS Contract

BSM Staff
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Greg Gumbel is staying with CBS, but he will be on camera a little less according to John Ourand of Sports Business Journal. After more than 30 years, the network is taking him off of its NFL coverage.

Since 1990, Gumbel has held a variety of roles on CBS’s coverage of professional football. He hosted The NFL Today until 1993 when the network lost the league’s broadcast rights. He returned in 1998, when he landed in the broadcast booth for the first time.

He was initially part of CBS’s top play-by-play crew with Phil Simms. That partnership lasted until 2003. Greg Gumbel returned to the studio for the 2004 and 2005 seasons. He has been calling games consistently since 2006.

CBS is keeping Gumbel on one traditional assignment. He will continue to anchor the network’s coverage of college basketball. This week marks the 25th year that he has been part of the network’s studio coverage of the NCAA Tournament.

Greg Gumbel is 76 years old. Ourand’s report did not mention how long his new contract runs or if the move away from the NFL was the decision of the network or the broadcaster.

NCAA Selection Shows See Ratings Gains

BSM Staff
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NCAA Selection Shows See Ratings Gains

Selection Sunday has frequently been placed on the sports calendar as a banner day, and the recent television ratings of the NCAA Selection Shows reveal gains for both the men’s and women’s broadcasts.

5.1 million viewers tuned into CBS for the Men’s Selection Show. That number represents a 3% increase from the 2022 show, and was the most-watched television program on any network.

ESPN also so an increase in the Women’s Selection Show, with an audience of 1.27 million. That figure is up 18% from 2022 and makes it the the most-watched women’s selection show since 2005.

It was the second consecutive year ESPN showcased the selection show on Sunday evening, after previously hosting the event on Monday nights.

The ratings uptick for ESPN continues a women’s basketball ratings surge, as the network claims it’s viewership from the 2022 NCAA Women’s Tournament rose 76%. The company also shared its regular season ratings for women’s basketball grew during the 2022-2023 season.

The news of an increased television audience for the selection shows comes on the heels of a report that both ESPN and CBS Sports/Warner Bros. Discovery sports have completely sold out television advertising inventory for the events.

CNN, MSNBC Neck-And-Neck During Alex Murdaugh Testimony

BNM Staff
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The most prominent court case within the past year on a national scale has been the double murder trial of former lawyer Alex Murdaugh in South Carolina. Prosecutors accused Murdaugh had shot and killed his wife Maggie and their youngest son Paul as a distraction from his financial crimes including the years of allegedly embezzling millions of dollars from clients.

The case’s turning point was a Snapchat video posted by Paul just minutes before his death that placed his father Alex at their residence, the site of the crimes. This led to the defendant testifying on Feb. 23rd and 24th to explain his whereabouts.

On the first day of coverage of his testimony, it was a neck-and-neck battle between CNN and MSNBC, according to Nielsen Media Research. CNN’s eight hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) averaged 722,000 viewers while MSNBC’s four hours (10:45 a.m. thru 4:40 p.m., with several breaks in between) drew a similar figure in total viewers, 719,000; demo-wise, based on adults 25-54, CNN (122,000 average) bested MSNBC (70,009).

Although Fox News Channel checked in on the trial throughout that day on Feb. 23, Nielsen only tabulated the 5:00-5:32 p.m. portion of its coverage. Because it aired in the regularly highly viewed time slot for FNC, it delivered the largest total audience and demo of the day on cable news for Murdaugh: 2.68 million total viewers including 258,000 within the key 25-54 demography.

This was also around the time each CNN and MSNBC had peaked in ratings. From 5-6 p.m. ET, CNN posted 889,000 viewers (179,000 adults 25-54); from 3:45-4:40 p.m. ET, MSNBC averaged 961,000 viewers (101,000 adults 25-54).

Fox News offered more extensive coverage on the following day (Feb. 24), devoting nearly five hours of the trial as Murdaugh was being cross-examined by the prosecution. Again, they led their cable news competition averaging 1.51 million total viewers (210,000 adults 25-54). On this day, MSNBC’s 4+ hours (783,000) outdrew CNN’s 7 hours (677,000) in total viewers but CNN still bested MSNBC in 25-54, 122,000 to 110,000, respectively.

Cable news averages for February 20-26, 2023:

Total Day (Feb. 20-26 @ 6 a.m.-5:59 a.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: 1.334 million viewers; 167,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 0.689 million viewers; 72,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 0.462 million viewers; 88,000 adults 25-54
  • HLN: 0.167 million viewers; 43,000 adults 25-54
  • CNBC: 0.116 million viewers; 29,000 adults 25-54
  • Fox Business Network: 0.113 million viewers; 13,000 adults 25-54
  • The Weather Channel: 0.104 million viewers; 18,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax: 0.087 million viewers; 7,000 adults 25-54

Prime Time (Feb. 20-25 @ 8-11 p.m.; Feb. 26 @ 7-11 p.m.)

  • Fox News Channel: 2.088 million viewers; 255,000 adults 25-54
  • MSNBC: 1.060 million viewers; 95,000 adults 25-54
  • CNN: 0.521 million viewers; 106,000 adults 25-54
  • HLN: 0.241 million viewers; 61,000 adults 25-54
  • CNBC: 0.200 million viewers; 56,000 adults 25-54
  • The Weather Channel: 0.117 million viewers; 19,000 adults 25-54
  • NewsNation: 0.093 million viewers; 15,000 adults 25-54
  • Newsmax: 0.091 million viewers; 9,000 adults 25-54
  • Fox Business Network: 0.065 million viewers; 12,000 adults 25-54

Top 10 most-watched cable news programs (and the top programs of other outlets with their respective associated ranks) in total viewers:

1. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.239 million viewers

2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.184 million viewers

3. The Five (FOXNC, Mon. 2/20/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.174 million viewers

4. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 2/23/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.163 million viewers

5. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.119 million viewers

6. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Mon. 2/20/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.093 million viewers

7. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.060 million viewers

8. The Five (FOXNC, Fri. 2/24/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 3.012 million viewers

9. The Five (FOXNC, Thu. 2/23/2023 5:32 PM, 28 min.) 2.906 million viewers

10. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Fri. 2/24/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.822 million viewers

20. Rachel Maddow Special (MSNBC, Mon. 2/20/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 2.403 million viewers

160. The Lead With Jake Tapper “Murdaugh Trial” (CNN, Thu. 2/23/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.889 million viewers

382. Kudlow (FBN, Thu. 2/23/2023 4:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.352 million viewers

395. Forensic Files (HLN, late Mon. 2/20/2023 12:00 AM, 30 min.) 0.321 million viewers

409. Fast Money Halftime Report (CNBC, Thu. 2/23/2023 12:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.299 million viewers

447. Real Time With Bill Maher “Episode 625” (repeat) (HBO, Fri. 2/24/2023 10:00 PM, 57 min.) 0.256 million viewers

533. Weird Earth “(306) Celestial Body And Imploding Mount” (TWC, Sat. 2/25/2023 2:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.207 million viewers

650. Newsnation Prime (NWSN, Sat. 2/25/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.164 million viewers

Top 10 cable news programs (and the top  programs of other outlets with their respective associated ranks) among adults 25-54:

1. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.449 million adults 25-54

2. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Mon. 2/20/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.429 million adults 25-54

3. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Thu. 2/23/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.400 million adults 25-54

4. Tucker Carlson Tonight (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 8:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.391 million adults 25-54

5. The Five (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.355 million adults 25-54

6. Hannity (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.351 million adults 25-54

7. Gutfeld! (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.349 million adults 25-54

8. The Five (FOXNC, Tue. 2/21/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.335 million adults 25-54

9. Hannity (FOXNC, Thu. 2/23/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.320 million adults 25-54

10. Hannity (FOXNC, Wed. 2/22/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.312 million adults 25-54

38. Rachel Maddow Special (MSNBC, Mon. 2/20/2023 9:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.222 million adults 25-54

72. The Lead With Jake Tapper “Murdaugh Trial” (CNN, Thu. 2/23/2023 5:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.179 million adults 25-54

166. Shark Tank “Shark Tank 1101” (CNBC, Mon. 2/20/2023 11:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.119 million adults 25-54

174. Forensic Files (HLN, Tue. 2/21/2023 10:00 PM, 30 min.) 0.117 million adults 25-54

375. Weather Channel Live “Live Coverage: Severe Storms” (TWC, Sun. 2/26/2023 10:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.065 million adults 25-54

425. Real Time With Bill Maher “Episode 625” (repeat) (HBO, Fri. 2/24/2023 10:00 PM, 57 min.) 0.058 million adults 25-54

546. Kudlow (FBN, Thu. 2/23/2023 4:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.044 million adults 25-54

676. Newsnation Prime (NWSN, Sat. 2/25/2023 7:00 PM, 60 min.) 0.031 million adults 25-54

Source: Live+Same Day data, Nielsen Media Research

NPR Scores Big at iHeartPodcast Awards

BNM Staff
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The 2023 iHeartPodcast Awards were held Tuesday night, and several news podcasts took home awards.

The New York Times podcast The Daily won the Best News Podcast Award. The Michael Barbaro hosted podcast is consistently ranked in the top 5 most-listened-to podcasts on Apple Podcasts, and The Times is currently working on launching an additional daily news podcast titled The Headlines.

Also nominated for Best News Podcast were NPR’s Up First, Crooked Media’s Pod Save America, Vox Media’s Today, Explained, and The Daily Wire’s Morning Wire.

The Best Political Podcast Award went to NPR Politics Podcast. That show defeated The Ben Shapiro Show, Sharon McMahon’s Here’s Where It Gets Interesting, iHeartPodcast’s The Daily Zeitgeist, and Pod Save America.

NPR’s Planet Money took home the award for Best Business & Finance Podcast. It took defeated challengers like NPR’s The Indiciator, iHeartPodcast’s Earn Your Leisure, Wondery’s How I Built This with Guy Raz, and Bloomberg’s Odd Lots.

Additionally, former New York Times podcast host Kara Swisher was honored with The Pioneer Award. She has since moved on to launch her podcast On with Kara Swisher with Vox Media.

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