FSN ‘Best Damn Sports Show Period’ Threatens Future Of ‘NSR’

As the popularity of "Best Damn Sports Show Period" continues to grow, FSN execs are "considering retiring `National Sports Report' sometime in the first quarter of 2002," according to R. Thomas Umstead of MULTICHANNEL NEWS. Sources said that "Best Damn Sports Show Period" — a 90-minute show that offers live updates — "would become the default national sports-news service" for 18 FSN-owned and affiliated RSNs. After "initially airing for one hour at midnight," the "sports talk-comedy hybrid," hosted by Chris Rose and Tom Arnold, was moved to primetime in September, "when it became an instant ratings hit." Since its move to 7:30pm ET — with a repeat showing at 11:30 pm ET — ratings have increased 131%, from a 0.35 to a 0.81. But FSN VP/Media Relations Lou D'Ermilio said, "While we continually assess our programming and our schedule, this latest rumor of the demise of the `National Sports Report' is premature" (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 12/3). The SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Andy Bernstein reports the show "expands to a two-hour format this week." Fox execs called the show FSN's future prime-time "backbone" when no live games are airing. Bernstein notes the show's original "lowbrow approach was a tough sell" to some FSN affils. FSN Exec VP George Greenberg: "We have toned it down a bit. We don't do as racy comedy as we did from day one. ... ESPN would never attempt a project like this. I applaud everything they do, but they're sort of stiff" (SBJ, 12/3 issue).

EXPANDING REACH: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Jim McConville reported that Fox Cable Networks Group has signed AT&T Broadband to distribute Fox Sports Digital Nets, its three-network digital multiplex. Launched in June, Fox Sports Digital Nets provides live events and regional sports news drawn from FSN's 22 RSNs. AT&T Broadband will begin adding Fox Sports Digital Nets to digital tiers on select cable systems during Q1 '02 (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 12/3).