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Television
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Written by Maury Brown
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Thursday, 02 October 2008 05:55 |
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 ESPN’s Monday Night Football – the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 23-20 overtime victory over the visiting Baltimore Ravens – earned an 8.8 rating, representing an average of 8,595,000 homes (11,783,000 P2+). For the fourth straight Monday, ESPN won the night in the key male demos among all networks, broadcast or cable, and the game drove significant traffic to ESPN.com’s NFL content.
For the NFL season to date, ESPN’s Monday Night Football is averaging a 9.6 rating and 9,335,000 households (12,972,000 P2+), up 14%, 15% and 20%, respectively from last season through five games (8.4 rating; 8,117,000 homes; 10,767,000 viewers). For 2008, the five Monday Night Football telecasts represent cable’s five biggest audiences of the year. ESPN's presentation of the “game around the game,” which included NFL studio programming starting at 3:30 p.m. ET through the conclusion of NFL Primetime at 2:40 a.m., delivered 19.1 gross household coverage ratings for its MNF coverage. ESPN.com Also, NFL content on ESPN.com, including “Monday Night Surround,” accessed via computers and mobile devices generated 10.9 million visits and nearly 74.8 million page views – an increase of 41% from the same week last year – from Monday through Tuesday at noon. For the season to date, ESPN.com is averaging 87.5 million page views, up 50% from 2007. In addition, during the same period there were nearly 4.4 million views of pro football-related video on ESPN.com and SportsCenter Right Now was viewed some 1.6 million times. Also, in the past week (Tuesday through Monday) ESPN football-related podcasts were downloaded more than 740,000 times. Source: ESPN
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NFL News
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Written by Maury Brown
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Tuesday, 30 September 2008 18:58 |
 In one of the most bizarre and protracted firings in NFL history, the Oakland Raiders have finally fired head coach Lane Kiffen after he compiled a 5-15 record. The entire statement from the Raiders on the firing consisted of one line: "Lane Kiffin has been released as head coach of the Oakland Raiders for cause."According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen Kiffin was fired by phone and without pay. Raiders offensive line coach Tom Cable is viewed as a likely candidate to replace Kiffen. As reported by Mortensen: The news did not blindside Kiffin, who was informed by a team executive that he would be fired after the Raiders 24-23 loss to the Buffalo Bills in week three. Even though Davis didn't act a week ago, as Kiffin was told he would, many team insiders expected the Oakland owner to fire the coach during this bye week.
Kiffin and Davis had been at loggerheads for some time as Kiffin attempted to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after the 2007 season. In a well-documented and bizarre series of events, Davis sent a letter of resignation for Kiffin to sign, but he declined to sign the letter, thus setting up a case of Kiffin being the coach for an owner who was forced to fire his head coach rather than have him resign.
OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK |
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NFL News
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Written by Maury Brown
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Monday, 29 September 2008 12:58 |
 Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be the halftime entertainment for this year’s Super Bowl to be played in Tampa, Florida. The Super Bowl will be played Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium. Springsteen follows such “A-list” bands as Paul McCartney, U2, the Rolling Stones, Prince, and last year’s Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. According to The AP, the first star to perform at halftime was Chubbie Checker in 1988. Up to that point, college marching bands and drill teams. Source: The AP
OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK |
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Television
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Written by Maury Brown
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Tuesday, 23 September 2008 19:00 |
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THE NFL ON CBS's doubleheader action on Sunday, Sept. 21 scored ratings increases for its regional (1:00 PM, ET) and national (4:15 PM, ET) coverage games.
Highlighted by the 2007 Super Bowl champions New York Giants defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in overtime, and also featuring Miami-New England, Oakland-Buffalo, Kansas City-Atlanta and Houston-Tennessee, the average overnight household rating/share in the regional window earned a 10.3/21, up 26% compared to last year's 8.2/18 for Week 4's regional window for doubleheader games on THE NFL ON CBS.
The national window, highlighted by Philadelphia defeating Pittsburgh, and featuring Jacksonville-Indianapolis and Cleveland-Baltimore, earned a 13.5/27, up 8% compared to a 12.5/24 in last year's national window in Week 4. Source: CBS Sports
OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK |
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NFL News
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Written by Maury Brown
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Sunday, 21 September 2008 05:10 |
 Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo has signed a five-year, $10 million endorsement deal with STARTER, which is believed to be the biggest footwear and apparel deal in NFL history. The closest deal prior was Reggie Bush’s five-year, $5 million deal with adidas. What makes the deal interesting is that Reebok has an exclusive agreement with the NFL (for more, see NFL and Reebok Win Legal Challenge Over Team Logo Hats). With that deal in place, Romo will be prohibited from wearing STARTER footwear on the field during NFL games. Source: Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK |
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Television
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Written by Maury Brown
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Sunday, 21 September 2008 03:46 |
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 CBS Sports and CBS College Sports Network announced Thursday a long-term agreement with Navy to broadcast home college football games, basketball games and Olympic sports. The announcement was made by Mike Aresco, Executive Vice President, Programming, CBS Sports, Steve Herbst, Executive Vice President and General Manager, CBS College Sports Network and Chet Gladchuk, Athletic Director, United States Naval Academy.
CBS Sports agreed to a long-term deal with Navy to broadcast the Notre Dame-Navy game, which will broadcast the games hosted by Navy through 2016, with an option for 2018. The deal begins with the 2010 game.
CBS College Sports Network extended its agreement with Navy to serve as the exclusive broadcast partner for Navy home football and various neutral site games through the 2017-18 season. In addition, CBS College Sports Network will broadcast various men's basketball games, lacrosse games and Olympic sports. All football games will be broadcast in high definition. The network initially signed on as Navy's television and multimedia partner in 2005.
"CBS is proud to continue televising one of the longest-played and most tradition-rich rivalries in college football," said Aresco. "The Notre Dame-Navy game will remain a highlight of our college football schedule every other year for the next decade."
"The Naval Academy is a tremendous partner and we're thrilled to continue our relationship for many years to come," said Herbst. "The Academy represents the best of what young people in our country offer and we are extremely proud to showcase the tradition of Navy football on our network."
"Our relationship over the years with CBS Sports has been extraordinary and this extension is historic for Navy athletics," said Gladchuk. "The CBS family continues to deliver a first-class production and has every intention of highlighting Navy athletics as one of its premier telecasts.
They have been a partner that truly understands the Academy, our expectations and ambition to share Navy athletics on a national and international basis. We now have one of the most comprehensive collegiate television packages in the country. Our midshipmen, alumni and fans will enjoy Navy athletics on CBS for years to come."
In the new agreement, CBS College Sports Network will continue to operate NAVYSPORTS.COM, the official athletic website for Navy.
During the length of the agreement, CBS College Sports Network will broadcast notable match-ups including games against Wake Forest; Air Force; East Carolina; Ohio State; Pittsburgh; Rutgers; Texas Christian University; Northwestern; Duke; Ole Miss and Syracuse.
Source: CBS Sports
OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK |
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NFL News
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Written by Maury Brown
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Thursday, 18 September 2008 05:32 |
 The New York Jets announced Wednesday a partnership with StubHub to auction the best seats in the New Jets Stadium -- the Coaches Club. The auction will start on Sunday, October 19, and run through Monday, October 27, 2008 exclusively on StubHub, the world's largest ticket marketplace. The Coaches Club combines the best seats in football -- on the sideline around the 50-yard line -- with access usually reserved for coaches and players. Club members will be able to stand on the field and watch the game, five yards off the Jets bench, or step inside to a private 20,000 square foot bar and lounge designed by Nobu architect David Rockwell. In addition to complimentary food and beverage, Club members receive free VIP parking adjacent to the stadium and can buy tickets to other events when available. "This will be the first time in sports that the market will set the price for the best seats in the house," said Jets Executive Vice President of Stadium Development and Finance, Thad Sheely. "We selected StubHub as our partner for this innovative approach because they essentially created the online ticket marketplace." Matt Higgins, Jets Executive Vice President of Business Operations, said, "Coaches Club members will be able to literally stand behind their team - on the field, on the 50- yard line, five yards off the Jets bench. There is simply no better seat in sports, and no better gameday experience in the NFL." The initial auction will open with a minimum bid of $5,000 per seat license in order to prequalify bidders. Bidding on a variety of seat locations -- including front row and 50- yard line tickets -- will be staggered throughout the auction. Tickets will be auctioned in minimum lots of two. More detailed information is available at www.JetsCoachesClub.com. "Facilitating this first of its kind auction once again supports StubHub's commitment to innovate in the ticket industry," said Chris Tsakalakis, president of StubHub. "The Jets" unique approach will break new ground in the primary ticketing market when the buyer decides what the seat is worth." The New Jets Stadium is scheduled to open for the 2010 season. The team announced its seating plan in late August which included no personal seat licenses (PSLs) for all 27,000 seats in the upper bowl and the option for all PSL owners to pay over five years. Aside from the Coaches Club auction, the sale of seats in the new stadium will use a priority system based first on seniority, according to Jets box office records, and then on current seat location. Waitlist members will have the opportunity to purchase seats after season ticket holders. Source: StubHub
OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK |
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Television
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Written by Maury Brown
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Tuesday, 16 September 2008 23:33 |
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 Television personality and event reporter Jenn Brown will join the INSIDE THE NFL announce team as a special correspondent. The announcement was made today by CBS Sports and INSIDE THE NFL producer Pete Radovich.
Brown will make her INSIDE THE NFL debut this week -- Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME -- on assignment in Hollywood. Working alongside host James Brown and analysts Phil Simms, Cris Collinsworth and Warren Sapp, she will be featured regularly throughout the season.
"As a sports lover and former athlete, I was overjoyed to team up with the men of INSIDE THE NFL," said Brown. "I am looking forward to giving a female's perspective on this season's games and storylines. I am thrilled to be joining a show that has achieved great success and has celebrated an acclaimed history in sports programming."
INSIDE THE NFL airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME during the NFL season through February 11, 2009.
Source: Showtime
OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK |
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Television
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Written by Maury Brown
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Tuesday, 16 September 2008 23:22 |
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 Last night, ESPN’s Monday Night Football – the Dallas Cowboys’ 41-37 home victory over the Philadelphia Eagles – delivered the biggest audience in the history of cable television. The game earned a 13.3 rating, representing 12,953,000 homes (18,608,000 P2+), edging the previous record, ESPN’s New England – Baltimore Monday Night Football telecast of December 3, 2007 (12,529,000 homes, based on a 13.0 rating, 17,522,000 P2+). In addition, for the second straight Monday, ESPN won the night among all networks, broadcast or cable, and the game drove significant traffic to ESPN.com’s NFL content.
Last night’s telecast is the most-watched prime-time NFL game of the 2008 season to date. It also is ESPN’s third-highest rating of all time, trailing only two other NFL games: Chicago at Minnesota on December 6, 1987 (14.4 rating; 8,400,000 homes), and Detroit at Miami on Christmas 1994 (14.2 rating; 8,927,000). Cable’s third-biggest audience ever is also an ESPN Monday Night Football telecast from Dallas – the New York Giants at the Cowboys on October 23, 2006, with an average of 11,807,000 homes (12.8 rating, 16.028 P2+). For 2008, the three Monday Night Football telecasts represent cable’s three biggest audiences of the year. The other two came in last week’s special 2008 season-opening doubleheader of Monday Night Football: - Minnesota at Green Bay earned a 9.3 rating, representing an average of 9,051,000 households (12,501,000 viewers – P2+)
- Denver at Oakland received a 7.3 rating with an average of 7,153,000 households watching (9,665,000 viewers).
Those two games powered ESPN to an increase in ratings vs. the first NFL weekend of 2007, the only NFL partner network to post a ratings increase with its opening week games. The telecast’s statistics represent increases of 46% in rating, 48% in household impressions and 60% among P2+, respectively, vs. the same week last year (Philadelphia – Washington: 9.1; 8,735,000 and 11,633,000). For the NFL season to date, ESPN’s Monday Night Football is averaging a 10.1 rating and 9,846,000 households (13,786,000 P2+), up 23%, 25% and 32%, respectively from last season through three games. ESPN's presentation of the “game around the game,” which included NFL studio programming starting at 3:30 p.m. through the conclusion of NFL Primetime at 2:30 a.m. ET, delivered 25.6 gross household coverage ratings for its MNF coverage. Source: ESPN
OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK |
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Television
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Written by Maury Brown
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Tuesday, 16 September 2008 04:30 |
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 CNBC's Darren Rovell is, as far as this author knows, the only reporter that is almost exclusively dedicated to sports business on television. Accessible and sharp, Rovell has given those that follow sports as a business a considerable amount of insight.
The Business of Sports Network previously interviewed Rovell regarding his documentary on Nike for The Biz of Basketball (read the interview here). Now, Rovell has taken time to talk to Ken Fang of the invaluable Fang's Bites blog. Here's just a small excerpt from Ken's interview with Rovell: FB: With the NFL now in season, what are some of the stories that you feel we'll be reading over the next few months? Labor strife? Online streaming?
DR: I'll take the NFL Network story into another season. It's a fascinating tale. How the greatest sports league has had a tremendously hard time getting traction with their channel. They've tried plenty. They gave themselves those slate of games. They had two huge games last year and the carriers haven't budged. There's been word that they're trying to forge an alliance, but you kind of wonder how committed the owners are to making this work and how much money they could really be making in its current state with its current carriage.
FB: Last year, Fox reportedly sought $2.7 million for a 30-second spot for a Super Bowl ad. Do you see advertisers getting a bang for their buck? And how much is too much? And what do you see NBC charging for Super Bowl XLII?
DR: Some advertisers get a bang for their buck, others don't. What's going to be interesting is to see how much Anheuser-Busch scales back on the Super Bowl game and on their priority to win the USA Today Ad Meter now that they are owned by InBev. I'm sure you've seen this, but so far NBC is reporting they've sold 85 percent of their ads at a market value of $3 million. That's amazing. But the thing that separates the Super Bowl from any other sporting event is that, no matter who is playing, it's always going to get a great rating. The other aspect that continues to drive the buck here is that it's no secret that people pay more attention to the commercials during the Super Bowl than the commercials in any other single piece of programming throughout the year.
Check the interview out as it covers the gamut from the Olympics to the Cubs sale to hot dog eating contests.
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