Nickelodeon has signed separate deals with MLB, MLS and
the NBA to obtain sports programming for both its main
network and its digital channel Nickelodeon GAS, according
to John Dempsey of DAILY VARIETY. NBAE will produce
"exclusive coverage" of the NBA 2ball competition for the
net in the form of weekly short programs leading up to a
"NBA 2ball at the Finals" special airing at 5:00pm ET on
June 19 on Nickelodeon. MLB will provide Nickelodeon access
to players and game footage for a "series of short
features." MLS will offer Nickelodeon "exclusive play-of-
the-week highlights" to run "several times throughout the
day" as short features. Nickelodeon Exec VP & GM Cyma
Zarghami says that the company is also talking with the NFL
and the NHL about "similar arrangements" (DAILY VARIETY,
5/18). Summer Sanders will host the Nickelodeon half-hour
NBA 2ball special on June 19 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 5/18).
HARDCORE ROCKS: FSN will extend its "Hardcore" series
with the debut of "Hardcore Baseball" on June 1. Hosted by
Steve Lyons, the weekly show looks at baseball
"fundamentals." The 30-minute program is scheduled to air
nationally at 5:30pm local time on FSN owned and affiliated
RSNs (FSN). The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Langdon Brockinton
writes that Fox "plans to produce" several "Hardcore
Baseball" specials tied to "major MLB events such as the
All-Star Game, the playoffs and the World Series." The
specials will originate from event site rather than from the
Fox studio (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 5/17 issue).
