Media Notes

In N.Y., Tim Arango cites a source as saying that the sale process for Sporting News “could be on hold for at least a month as the company sorts out” discrepancies in the audience numbers for its radio unit “and determines any potential liability.” The company “could be forced to reimburse advertisers as a result of the investigation (N.Y. POST, 11/16).

O’Brien Likely To Replace Caray In Cubs’ Broadcasting Booth

CUB SCOUT: In Chicago, Ed Sherman reports the Cubs have agreed to terms with Dave O’Brien to become their TV play-by-play announcer beginning in ’05. O’Brien “needs to be released from the final year of his contracts” with ESPN, where he calls baseball and college basketball games, and the Mets, where he calls 50 games per year. Under the terms of the Cubs deal, O’Brien “could still work college basketball games for ESPN” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/16).

REVVED UP: MEDIAWEEK’s John Consoli reported NASCAR officials “privately believe their telecasts are currently undervalued, particularly the second-half of the racing season on NBC and TNT, in which ratings have grown as a result of the new” points system this season. NASCAR is “expected to seek a hefty increase from NBC if it wants to renew its telecast rights,” which will be up for renewal following the ’06 season. Fox’ deal for the first half of the season runs through ’08 with NASCAR holding an option to terminate it after the ’06 season (MEDIAWEEK.com, 11/15).