Media Notes

Ratings For This Season's "Hard Knocks" Up More Than 50% Compared To Last Year

HBO's "Hard Knocks" featuring the Bengals aired its season finale Wednesday, and in Cincinnati, Joe Reedy wrote the five-week series "returned to what made it work: roster battles, strategy and the inner workings of an NFL franchise." Viewers also noticed as ratings were "up more than" 50% compared to last year. The "level of access the Bengals provided was more than what other teams had allowed." On-Site Film Director Steve Trout: "They trusted us. I think we proved to them that this show is a very good idea for other teams. We're not that intrusive, it's not a distraction. It helps the team stay on its toes." Reedy noted there was "only one scene the team asked to have deleted," a call by QB Jordan Palmer during the third preseason game against the Rams that "might have provided opponents with a competitive advantage" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 9/12).

CROSSING THE POND: PAID CONTENT's Patrick Smith reported ESPN has confirmed it is "preparing a UK sports portal to accompany" its U.K. soccer broadcasts. ESPN VP/Digital Media for Europe, Middle East & Africa Tom Gleeson said that ESPN.co.uk "will also encompass Cricinfo and ESPNSoccernet in the coming months." The site will give fans an "overview of the big sports stories of the day, regardless of whether they relate to sports" for which ESPN has rights. ESPN.co.uk "will help promote other assets, but will be a destination for original sports content in its own right" (PAIDCONTENT.org, 9/13).

DRIVING UPHILL: In Charlotte, Jim Utter reports ESPN's ratings for NASCAR Sprint Cup coverage have "been up the past four races." Utter: "Considering that Fox and TNT ratings were both down during their respective parts of the season, what the people at ESPN and now ABC have accomplished is even more impressive" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 9/14).

AWARD WINNERS: NBC Sports won three Primetime Emmy Awards for its coverage of the '08 Beijing Games Opening Ceremony. The net won for Outstanding Special Class Program and Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control For A Miniseries, Movie Or Special, while NBC Sports Dir Bucky Gunts won for Outstanding Directing For A Variety, Music or Comedy Special (NBC).

TAKING CHARGE: In Minnesota, David Brauer reported the Minneapolis Star Tribune for the "first time in seven years" will charge for some of its online content. A paywall "will encompass Vikings coverage -- one of the site's big traffic drivers." The site's "Access Vikings" pages remain free, but Star Tribune Assistant Managing Editor for Digital Terry Sauer said charging will begin "in a few weeks" (MINNPOST.com, 9/11).