TV MONITOR: Last night's 11:00pm ET 30-minute edition of
CNN/SI's "Sports Tonight," the 11:00pm ET (late due to NCAA
football) 60-minute edition of ESPN's "SportsCenter" and the
1:00am ET edition of FSN's "National Sports Report" all led
with the Indians-Red Sox doubleheader, followed by Yankees-
Blue Jays. The first non-MLB report, at 5:40 into the
broadcast, for "Sports Tonight" were reactions to Patrick
Ewing being traded to the Sonics. "Sports Tonight" first
reported on the Olympics at 7:59 and had 3:12 of total
Olympic coverage. On "SportsCenter," the first non-MLB
report, at 11:27, was an injury update on Titans WR Kevin
Dyson. "SportsCenter" first reported on the Olympics at
13:52 and had 4:10 of total Olympic coverage. On the "NSR,"
the first non-MLB report, at 5:17, was reaction to the Ewing
trade. "NSR" first reported on the Olympics at 14:03 and had
6:03 of total Olympic coverage (THE DAILY).
IRSAY ON MILLER: The Colts will be featured on "MNF"
this week and team Owner Jim Irsay commented on "MNF" analyst
Dennis Miller: "I'm glad I don't have a toupee, so he can't
take a shot there. But I guess [Titans Owner] Bud Adams
doesn't have one, according to Bud Adams. I never thought he
did." Irsay, on Miller: "I think the owners for the most
part tend to be more conservative and look at the purity of
the product. But there are some owners that are excited
about trying to shake it up a little and see if it brings
some excitement" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 9/22).
GOLF: A CBS spokesperson told the WASHINGTON POST that
"from now on, CBS will use only natural" bird sounds or "none
at all" during its golf coverage. CBS had been using taped
bird sounds during some of its golf broadcasts (WASHINGTON
POST, 9/22)....GOLF WORLD's Peter McCleery writes that while
Tiger Woods "has emerged as the most powerful TV draw this
side of Regis Philbin," ratings for "non-Tiger" PGA Tour
events "are flat to down." McCleery looks ahead to the PGA
Tour's next TV deal and writes, "Whether it ever admits it or
not, [the Tour] may now have to auction its network packages
around Woods and his likely appearances" (GOLFWORLD, 9/22).
MUSHNICK ON DISNEY'S CROSS PROMOTION: In N.Y., Phil
Mushnick notes that ESPN "devoted" 15 minutes on Tuesday
night to preview the new football-themed movie, "Remember the
Titans," which stars Denzel Washington. Mushnick: "Was
football the hook here? Heck, no, there have been plenty of
sports movies for ESPN to promote. 'Titans,' however, is a
Disney production" (N.Y. POST, 9/22).
