Afternoon News & Headlines
| • | NBC Tonight Airing Debut Of “The Contender” |
| • | Time Warner Cable’s N.Y.-Area Systems Could Lose MSG And FSNY Tonight |
| • | AVP Today Inks Deal Granting OLN One Semifinal Each For Men, Women |
| • | White Sox Unveil First Round Of TV Ads For ’05 Today On CSN Chicago |
| • | LPGA Today Announces Carriage Deal With The Golf Channel Through ‘09 |
| • | Buzzer Beaters/Tonight’s Events/Channel Surfing/In Other News/The Daily Stat |
NBC TONIGHT AIRING PREMIERE OF “THE CONTENDER”
NBC tonight will air the 90-minute premiere episode of the boxing reality series “The Contender” at 9:30pm ET. Another episode will air Thursday at 10:00pm, before the show moves to its regular Sunday 8:00pm timeslot (THE DAILY). The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER notes that the Mark Burnett-produced series’ appeal “is the theme of upward social mobility that has been the backdrop of many a Hollywood boxing film.” Burnett: “The hard-luck story, coming from a disadvantaged background – Americans like that story” (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 3/7).
Burnett said that a tribute to Najai Turpin, the contestant who committed suicide three weeks ago, “will be added in a future episode, but that nothing else would be changed.” Burnett: “It would be totally spin TV to reedit because of a situation that had nothing to do with the show months and months later. … We are showing the reality of this guy’s life” (WASHINGTON POST, 3/7).
Following is a round-up of national reviews of “The Contender”:
The BOSTON GLOBE’s Matthew Gilbert writes the series “tells its tale with the high-concept clarity that has become Burnett’s trademark. Like Burnett’s other shows, ‘The Contender’ is beautifully shot, with a back-street Southern California atmosphere that marries the sweaty gyms of yesteryear to the fantasy atmosphere of an MTV ‘Real World’ house. It’s savvily cast, with 16 young, smush-nosed professional boxers who all appear to have compelling back stories” (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/7).
The ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS’ Dusty Saunders writes, “As television entertainment, ‘The Contender’ is, in many ways, superior to ‘Survivor’ and ‘The Apprentice,’ depending, of course, on how you feel about boxing” (ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS, 3/7).
Each episode ends with a boxing match, and the CHICAGO TRIBUNE’s Michael Hirsley writes, “The inaugural bout’s action flows seamlessly, although footage of the five-round fight was edited, sound was enhanced for hard-scoring punches, and the camera shifted frequently to capture expressions of the fighters’ supporters” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/7).
The N.Y. TIMES’ Alessandra Stanley writes that tonight’s episode “yanks every heartstring and hits every ‘Rocky’ chord right up until the emotional end. … The buildup is very long, but [tonight’s] bout is truly terrible and thrilling” (N.Y. TIMES, 3/7).
The N.Y. DAILY NEWS’ David Bianculli writes that the series “makes you care about the fighters, even if you don’t care about boxing. … My only complaint is the production of the boxing match itself, which is overloaded with sound effects and music that distract from the drama” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/7).
The Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL’s Tom Jicha writes, “The Burnett formula is apparent. No sport is more about individuals, but Burnett has concocted a ridiculous team element, complete with the types of challenges that could migrate untouched to ‘Survivor’” (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 3/7).
The WASHINGTON POST’s Tom Shales writes that the show offers “a chance for viewers to give their yawn muscles a really rigorous workout” (WASHINGTON POST, 3/7).
TIME WARNER CABLE IN N.Y. COULD LOSE MSG, FSNY AT MIDNIGHT
Barring a last-minute deal, Time Warner Cable’s N.Y.-area carriage agreement for Cablevision’s MSG and FSNY will expire at midnight tonight, and in N.Y., Andrew Marchand reports Cablevision this weekend began running a graphic crawl “blaming Time Warner for the potential loss of the networks.” Time Warner responded with a crawl of its own, though it “contractually is only allowed to run the crawl on the Weather Channel and TV Guide Channel.” Time Warner plans to rebate subscribers $2 per month, while replacing MSG and FSNY with NBA TV and CSTV. Time Warner Cable has 2.4 million customers in the affected area (N.Y. POST, 3/7).
AVP TODAY SIGNS CARRIAGE DEAL WITH OLN, EXTENSION WITH FSN
The AVP today reached an agreement that will give OLN the exclusive TV rights for one men’s semifinal and one women’s semifinal at each of its 14 tournaments this season. OLN will provide a minimum 28 hours of coverage throughout the season, and will air the matches on a same-day or same-week tape-delayed basis. OLN, which will be the only net telecasting every tour event this season, will also air “Summer Revolution,” a weekly primetime highlight show (AVP). BRANDWEEK reports the AVP also signed a two-year renewal giving FSN rights to all finals on cable through ’06 (BRANDWEEK, 3/7 issue).
LPGA, THE GOLF CHANNEL TODAY ANNOUNCE TV DEAL THROUGH ‘09
The Golf Channel and the LPGA today reached a new TV contract that will give the net cable rights to a minimum of ten events per season through ’09, plus additional broadcast rights in the U.K. The deal also includes exclusive rights to the biennial Solheim Cup. Beginning in ’06, The Golf Channel will retain ten events in the U.S. and Canada, but will air an additional ten events in the U.K. (The Golf Channel).
KIT HOOVER, THEA ANDREWS DEPART FROM ESPN2’S “COLD PIZZA”
Kit Hoover, co-host of ESPN2’s “Cold Pizza,” has moved on to other EOE responsibilities, while Thea Andrews has also left the show to co-host “ESPN Hollywood,” which debuts May 9. Andrews will occasionally do correspondent work for “Cold Pizza.” ESPN’s Dana Jacobson hosted “Cold Pizza” today with Jay Crawford. No permanent co-host has been named (THE DAILY).
WHITE SOX TODAY UNVEIL FIRST ROUND OF TV ADS FOR ’05 SEASON
The White Sox during today’s spring training game on CSN Chicago unveiled their first round of ’05 TV ads, via Two by Four. The five spots use game footage to communicate the White Sox brand. The second round of TV spots, to be filmed in April, will feature White Sox players, on-field action and an El car. In addition to traditional TV, radio and print ads, the campaign will have an outdoor presence including billboards CTA stops and busses (White Sox).
BUZZER BEATERS
The AP reports the NHLPA today accepted an invitation from the NHL to meet later this week at an undisclosed location. A source said that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Exec Dir Bob Goodenow will take part in the meeting (AP, 3/7).
BLOOMBERG NEWS reports Fitch Ratings today shifted bonds used to pay for Staples Center and Pepsi Center to “watch negative,” meaning that the company “will review the situation for about six months and may cut the debt’s ratings.” Both bonds are currently rated A, the sixth-highest of ten investment grades (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 3/7).
Duracell this week will introduce the first NASCAR-branded flashlight. The flashlight, which retails for $8.99-10.99, features the signature and an image of the No. 8 car of Dale Earnhardt Jr. (BRANDWEEK, 3/7 issue).
MLB Productions and INHD have again teamed up to produce a second season of “Major League Parks: Cathedrals of the Game.” The season will debut April 3 with Fenway Park, and will also include the National Baseball HOF, PNC Park, Comerica Park and Rogers Centre (MLB Productions).
Mizuno USA has signed on as the official equipment provider for the ’05 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic, which will be played in August at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Maryland (Mizuno).
NOW HEAR THIS
The following are notable quotes from today’s news:
MLB Commissioner Bud Selig, on why he did not push for a harsher drug-testing policy during ’02 CBA negotiations: “I didn’t think the sport could take another work stoppage. I’d make the same call again” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/6). Read the full story.
Orioles 1B Rafael Palmeiro, on whether he will attend the U.S. House Government Reform Committee’s March 17 hearing on steroids: “That’s my wife’s birthday. That should tell you right there what the answer is” (BOSTON HERALD, 3/5). Read the full story.
NASCAR Managing Dir of Int’l Affairs Robbie Weiss, on the success of Sunday’s Telcel Motorola Mexico 200 in Mexico City: “I know some of the teams didn’t buy into our vision for this before they came. I think they all do now” (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/7). Read the full story.
TONIGHT’S EVENTS
Andre Agassi will testify at 3:45pm MT before the Nevada Assembly Education Committee about legislation that would allow charter schools such as his Agassi College Preparatory Academy to “prescribe limits to the population from which they draw students” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/4).
CHANNEL SURFING
ESPN2 will air NCAA women’s basketball: George Washington-Temple at 5:00pm ET and Minnesota-Michigan State at 7:00pm.
ESPN will air NCAA basketball: VCU-Old Dominion at 7:00pm ET, Southwest Missouri State-Creighton at 9:00pm and Gonzaga-St. Mary’s at midnight.
Former NBAer Karl Malone will host OLN’s “Big Game Madness,” a weeklong hunting special at 7:00pm ET.
FSN will air NCAA women’s basketball: UNC-Duke at 7:30pm ET and Arizona State-Stanford at 10:30pm.
Figure skater Tara Lipinski will appear on CBS’ “Still Standing” at 8:00pm ET.
ESPN2 will air NCAA basketball: Rider-Niagara at 9:00pm ET.
NBC will premiere “The Contender” at 9:30pm ET.
NBA TV will air Grizzlies-Clippers at 10:30pm ET.
Tennis player Andy Roddick will appear on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” at 11:35pm ET.
Eagles WR Terrell Owens, Ravens CB Deion Sanders and NFLer Jerry Rice will appear on “BDSSP.”
HEADLINERS
Here are tonight’s headline guests on the following talk shows:
| “Late Show” | Billy Crystal (r) |
| “The Tonight Show” | Robin Williams |
| “The Late Late Show” | Regis Philbin (r) |
| “Late Night” | Jimmy Fallon (r) |
| “Jimmy Kimmel Live” | Amy Brenneman |
TODAY’S ARTICLES OF INTEREST
NEWSDAY’s Richard Galant writes MLBAM CEO Bob Bowman “is rapidly moving the national pastime into the digital era – and reaping rewards in the process. Last year, mlb.com and the company’s other ventures brought in $135[M], a nearly double 50[%] jump in revenue. At that rate, MLBAM could be a billion-dollar company within five years, enriching the 30 teams that own it” (NEWSDAY).
See The Daily Insider’s Articles of Interest section for more sports business-related links.
IN OTHER NEWS……
The DirecTV Group today announced that DirecTV Inc. President & CEO Mitch Stern is leaving the company, effective immediately. DirecTV Group President & CEO Chase Carey will now oversee day-to-day operations of DirecTV. The company does not intend to replace Stern (DirecTV Group).
THE DAILY STAT: N.Y. TIMES BESTSELLING NONFICTION
The following presents best selling nonfiction books for the week ending February 26 (NYTIMES.com, 3/7):
| RK | HARDCOVER NONFICTION |
| 1) | BLINK, Malcolm Gladwell (Little, Brown) |
| 2) | JUICED, Jose Canseco (ReganBooks/HarperCollins) |
| 3) | COLLAPSE, Jared Diamond (Viking) |
| 4) | MEN IN BLACK, Mark R. Levin (Regnery) |
| 5) | DISNEYWAR, James B. Stewart (Simon & Schuster) |
| 6) | AMERICA (THE BOOK), Jon Stewart, Ben Karlin & David Javerbaum (Warner) |
| 7) | SECRETS & MYSTERIES OF THE WORLD, Sylvia Browne (Hay House) |
| 8) | GOD'S POLITICS, Jim Wallis (HarperSanFrancisco) |
| 9) | PERFECT MADNESS, Judith Warner (Riverhead) |
| 10) | 102 MINUTES, Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn (Times Books/Holt) |
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please let us know at:
editorial@sportsbusinessdaily.com
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