Media Notes

NBC's coverage of the Olympic Swimming trials last night earned 4.7 overnight rating. The number was good enough for NBC to win the night and marked the best overnight ratings for swimming-only trials since '96 (THE DAILY). The friendly rivalry between U.S. swimmers Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte was examined on NBC’s “Nightly News” last night as the U.S. Olympic swimming trials are taking place in Omaha, Neb. NBC’s Kevin Tibbles said, "Formidable titans drawing from each other, pushing each other ... and they are bringing attention to the sport like never before, from magazine covers to video games and a myriad of commercials and sponsorships” (“Nightly News,” NBC, 6/25).

TEXAS TWO-STEP: In Austin, Kirk Bohls cited a source as saying that Time Warner "is interested in trying to buy the Longhorn Network or at least partner with ESPN on the property" (STATESMAN.com, 6/25). However, TWC later dismissed that report and issued an official statement to Bohls stating, "We have not had any conversations to purchase the Longhorn Network nor made or received any proposals to purchase the Longhorn Network" (STATESMAN.com, 6/25).

GONE SILENT: In Phoenix, Dan Bickley questions the temporary removal of D’Backs TV announcer Daron Sutton by writing, "This mysterious disappearance doesn't work." Sutton's "sudden ejection from the broadcast booth has led to rampant speculation." Bickley: "Fair or foul, you can't remove a play-by-play guy out of the broadcast booth during the middle of the season without explanation." The D'Backs have shown "very little public support for Sutton, other than to say that he hasn't broken any laws and is simply taking some time off." D'Backs President & CEO Derrick Hall "clarified one point and one erroneous report -- that Sutton was not suspended for a local radio interview or for being occasionally critical of the team." Hall said, "That report was an absolute joke" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 6/26).