online.wsj.com - 10/12/2009
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SAM SCHECHNER Comcast Corp. executive Jeff Shell said at an industry conference in June that expanding the sports business at his cable networks was the "top of our list over the next five years." If Comcast's bid to control NBC Universal succeeds, it would advance Mr. Shell's goal overnight, ...
sports.yahoo.com - 10/14/2009
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sports.yahoo.com —
Not a good week for puckheads with DirecTV,
which continues to keep the Versus network off of...
its system in a negotiating standoff that's now in its seventh week. Last night's upset by the Buffalo Sabres over the Detroit Red Wings was unavailable to DTV subscribers in both hockey-mad cities. ...
(more)
As DirecTV feud drags on, could Bettman's VS gamble pay off?
usatoday.com - 10/16/2009
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usatoday.com —
We're getting there. Fox will formally announce Friday
that its MLB playoff coverage, starting tonight, will occasionally...
include this stat on replays: Speed of pitches as they leave hurlers' hands as well as their speed when they cross home plate. ...
(more)
ESPN taking a cut at virtual pitches
businessweek.com - 10/9/2009
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Morning Journal- October 12, 2009
Sports Media Journal —
Happy Columbus Day to those in the U.S. who are fortunate enough to have this day off. Here are some sports media news nuggets to begin your day… Sam Schechner at the Wall Street Journal looks at the latest in any Comcast takeover of NBC … CBS Sports pronounces ...
A Lazy Columbus Day Linkfest
Fang's Bites —
... a look at the lower regular season ratings for MLB. Daniel Kaplan says the NFL is projecting to see lower gate revenue this season. Liz Mullen and John Lombardo write that the NBA is pleading poverty with the National Basketball Players Association. Bob Kimball of USA Today says MLB didn't have enough time to shift last night's Game 3 of the Phillies-Rockies NLDS to a daytime start. Sam Schechner from the Wall Street Journal says Comcast is looking to NBC to boost its sports machine. Monte Burke of Forbes.com talks ...
Ghosts of H.B. Blades
Bleed Scarlet —
... I’m surprised this WSJ article isn’t getting more play. One potential consequence of the rumored NBC/Comcast deal is a pairing between NBC and Versus. Could NBC look to expand its college football coverage beyond Notre Dame? The deal would probably have major implications for hockey too. ...
As DirecTV feud drags on, could Bettman's VS gamble pay off?
Puck Daddy —
... You know what fans do flock to? The NFL. The Olympics. College football. Big-time golf events. Say, doesn't NBC have those relationships? Comcast, the parent company for Versus, knows it does, which is why it's sniffing around a purchase of NBC Universal. From the Wall Street Journal: ...
NBCU & VERSUS: An Alternative to ESPN?
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network —
... If that deal goes through, Comcast could influence how forcefully NBC will push cable operators for subscription fees. It's also possible that regulators would step in to oversee Comcast's deals with NBC and other broadcast networks.
Of particular interest to readers of this site is the impact that an NBCU/Comcast deal would have on VERSUS Network. Could this signal the beginning of VERSUS growing into a worthy competitor to ESPN?
In a separate report for the WSJ, Sam Schechner reported;
Comcast Corp. ...
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