In London, Kevin Eason noted David Croft will be Sky Sports' main F1 commentator next year, with Martin Brundle "leaving the BBC to return to his old role as pundit and analyst." Along with Bundle, Ted Kravitz "joins Sky from his role in the pitlane for the BBC, along with Natalie Pinkham, who leaves BBC Radio Five Live to join the satellite channel." Kravitz will also "present a new magazine show on Sky's dedicated Formula One channel with Georgie Thompson, a Sky Sports presenter." Simon Lazenby, a "regular on Sky Sports, particularly on the channel's rugby presentations, will be the host with Jake Humphrey remaining at the BBC." Steve Rider, who "hosted Formula One for ITV, returns to conduct big interviews, including pieces with former drivers and team owners." Sky has "won the rights to broadcast all 20 races live next season" (LONDON TIMES, 12/7).
KING ME: The NBA Kings and KHTK-AM reached a long-term agreement that will see the radio station call the team's games for the 19th consecutive season. The station will carry all preseason, regular-season and playoff games. Gary Gerould will return as the Kings play-by-play announcer for his 26th season, while Fat Lever will serve as an analyst for the third season. Jason Ross enters his 11th season as host of the pregame, halftime and postgame shows (Kings). In Sacramento, Tom Couzens writes this is "great news for Kings fans, considering how the station has moved away from sport in the morning" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 12/7).
HONEST ANALYSIS: In Boston, Peter Abraham notes ESPN's Terry Francona said yesterday that he "plans to be honest" when in analyzing the Red Sox next season. Francona: "It's my personality to be respectful and also honest. I have no problem watching the game and telling the truth." Astros manager Brad Mills said, "Every time I talk to him now, I say, 'Is this off the record or on the record?' I've always told him, too, that if he's on TV, he might have to spend two hours in makeup just to be on" (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/7).
AWARDS TELEVISION: In N.Y., Mark Feinsand notes MLB Network agreed to a deal with the Baseball Writers Association of America "to air the announcement of the Most Valuable Player, Cy Young, Manager and Rookie of the Year awards live beginning next November." The awards will be "announced over a four-day period known as 'BBWAA Awards Week.'" The BBWAA had previously "made its award announcements on its website, so this will mark the first time they are revealed live on television" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/7).
