In L.A., Bill Plaschke wrote ESPN's coverage of the Little League World Series is the "worst sort of reality television," as allowing the "public viewing of pubescent angst under the guise of a baseball game is opportunistic, offensive and just plain wrong." It is "incumbent upon the Little League bosses to stop this," as even if ESPN stops airing the games, "somebody else will." Little League Int'l Dir of Media Relations Steve Burr said that the organization uses "much of the television rights fees to fund background checks for Little League volunteers around the world." Plaschke: "Although a child's safety is obviously priceless, is this kind of exposure the best way to pay for it?" (L.A. TIMES, 8/14).
WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK: The Whistle, a forthcoming digital and linear TV network aimed at kids 6-16, has added former Gatorade President & CEO Sue Wellington to its investor group. Wellington is part of a privately raised and recently closed initial investment round of about $5M that also includes former MLB President & COO Bob DuPuy, and Bob Pittman, Clear Channel Radio Chair of Media & Entertainment Platforms, among others. The effort, started by a group of media and marketing executives including former Gatorade Senior VP/Sports Marketing Jeff Urban, continues to pursue a variety of programming and distribution deals for a planned autumn launch (Eric Fisher, SportsBusiness Journal).
CUP OF SORROW: The GUARDIAN's Dowell & Gibson report Radio 4 and the BBC World Service are "developing a drama about England's failed bid to host the 2018 football World Cup." The documentary is "expected to air on both radio stations later this year." Matthew Solon is "working on the script," while "veteran radio drama director" John Dryden will direct the project (GUARDIAN, 8/15).
