Media Notes

TV Coverage Of MMA Continues To Grow In Canada With New Offerings

In Toronto, Chris Zelkovich reports TV coverage of MMA in Canada "continues to grow," as Rogers SportsNet has "hired a full-time [MMA] analyst and is starting a weekly MMA show on Monday nights" ahead of Saturday's UFC 97 in Montreal. Rogers Cable has "launched a UFC on demand service that includes replays, archived fights, features and previews." Also, SuperChannel has announced plans to "air Showtimes 'Strikeforce MMA' series starting May 2." Rogers Communications VP & GM Dave Purdy said there has been an "explosive growth" of MMA. Purdy: "It has surpassed wrestling and boxing" (TORONTO STAR, 4/17).

CONFLICT CONTINUES: In Vancouver, Eric Koreen noted TSN since January '08 has "reached an agreement with every satellite and cable carrier" except Rogers for carriage of TSN2, "to the annoyance of Raptors fans." There is "plenty of blame to go around in the situation," and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) "gets some for selling the rights [to Raptors broadcasts] to TSN before the channel and Rogers had made nice." MLSE Exec VP & COO Tom Anselmi: "I'm not sure what the answer is, but I guarantee we won't have the same situation next year. What I do know is that the situation this year was untenable. It cannot go on again" (VANCOUVER SUN, 4/16).

MOVING ON: In Alabama, Tommy Hicks reports Univ. of Alabama football radio analyst Ken Stabler "has decided not to return" to the role, and Crimson Tide Sports Network GM Jim Carabin said that a "permanent replacement for Stabler as the radio team's analyst is expected 'very soon.'" Stabler "took a one-year leave of absence from his analyst duties on the broadcasts after he was arrested" for DUI in June '08, his third DUI arrest since '95. Stabler was "acquitted of the charge in November" (HUNTSVILLE TIMES, 4/17).

NEXT BIG THING: In S.F., Henry Schulman reports MLB Giants P Brian Wilson is in "development talks" for a weekly show on CSN Bay Area. Wilson "sent Comcast some self-produced videos of himself playing 'Guitar Hero' and showing off" his S.F. apartment. The date and time of the show have yet to be announced (S.F. CHRONICLE, 4/17).