Sports Media Beat

Legendary broadcaster Don Imus died on Dec. 27.  He was 79.  Imus, who began his radio career as a shock jock, then transitioned into a talk show host, arguably saved the all-sports talk radio format, as sportscaster Dan Lovallo explains in this podcast.  Dan also reviews the NBA ratings for Christmas Day and details why the Boston Red Sox may be more valuable than the New York Yankees.  Dan also talks about a court decision that could have a major impact on televised sports.

One entity is predicting gambling on sporting events in 2020 will be the dominant sports media story.  Meanwhile, on the ratings front, the Dallas Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles game and the New England Patriots-Buffalo Bills game were big ratings winners, as was MNF, but some NFL games took a hit, as did college basketball. 

Since 1996, CBS has carried the SEC, but after the 2023 season, the relationship between that network and the nation's premier college football conference will come to an end.  Plus, the NBA bounces back in its ratings, but a tough night for hockey on NBCSN.

NFL football ratings for week 15 were a mixed bag, but for the season ratings are still higher than previous seasons.  The PGA is working on a new TV deal that will brings in loads of money and iHeart extends its relationship with the Minnesota Vikings.

Former major league baseball broadcaster Ken Harrelson has been named the winner of the 2020 Ford C. Frick Award and will enter the broadcasters wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY.  However, another legendary broadcaster, Marv Albert, could be facing job issues after the end of this NBA season.  Dan Lovallo discusses that and more on the latest Sports Media Beat.

College football turns out to be a winner for CBS and FOX, the NFL continues to snag steady numbers and Major League Baseball is about to change its paradigm on how it delivers video content. 

Ratings for the NFL 2019 season continue to climb and conjecture is legalized sports betting is fueling the increase.  Meanwhile, regular season baseball ratings for individual ball clubs show the St. Louis Cardinals leading the way.  But you would be surprised to learn which club's ratings actually took a dip.  And ratings for MLS soccer are up. sportsmediabeat.com

After 46 seasons as the "Voice of the Cincinnati Reds," Marty Brennaman is calling it a career.  On Oct. 11, 2019, the website Ballpark Digest named Brennaman its 2019 MLB Broadcast of the Year.  Plus NFL ratings are up, while the XFL has entered the conversation.  Those are some of the topics discussed in the latest podcast. https://sportsmediabeat.com

This is the premier of the Sports Media Beat and it explains what the podcast is all about.

CBS knows the importance of the NFL and it wants to hang on to the commodity.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft is in trouble and golf aces the weekend ratings.

New York Yankees television voice Michael Kay is worried about his voice, following vocal cord surgery and Dan remembers sportscaster Jack Whitaker.  Those are some of the topics covered in the latest edition of Sports Media Beat.  Also discussed: -Marty Brennaman -Bob Cousy -Vin Scully -Billy Packer -NFL on FOX -Super Bowl on BBC

The "Voice of the Crimson Tide," Eli Gold will receive a prestigious honor come December and a longtime hockey commentator is calling it a career.  Those are some of the topics we discuss in the latest edition of the Sports Media Beat.

NBC is all in on the 2020 Olympics.  Expect 365 days of coverage, leading up to the actual Olympics.  TNT players only broadcast of NBA games is no longer a slam-dunk and NASCAR ratings are showing improvement.

The NHL Stanley Cup finals are proving to be a ratings hit on NBC. The Yankees-Red Sox are also a ratings winner but is the NBA getting a bad rap?

NFL Draft to get major TV coverage

The AAF suspends operations but does not close up shop.