"On The Record with Bob Costas," an hourlong
talk/magazine show on HBO, is set to debut in February,
according to Howard Manly of the BOSTON GLOBE. Costas,
comparing his new show to HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant
Gumbel": "If Gumbel is to sports what '60 Minutes' was to
news, then we want to be 'Nightline.'" Manly added that "On
The Record" will use "Nightline"'s format of live interviews
with newsmakers (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/10). The SPORTSBUSINESS
JOURNAL's Langdon Brockinton reports that HBO Sports this
week will launch "what might be the biggest-ever marketing
and promotional campaign for a new sports show" for "On The
Record." HBO Sports President Ross Greenburg: "It will
probably be the largest promotion and marketing campaign in
HBO Sports' history. We've never launched any series or
show with this kind of promotional push." Sources estimate
a seven figure promotional effort, including the value of
HBO on-air promo spots. Greenberg said the campaign will
include a series of 30-second vignettes airing on HBO "that
speak to Bob's personality and charm and to the show's
edginess" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 12/11 issue).
