In L.A., Meg James cited data from Kantar Media which showed that the London Games, combined with political campaigns, "pumped nearly $2 billion into the U.S. advertising market during the third quarter of 2012." The "largest beneficiary of the increased spending during the quarter was NBC." Estimates show that NBC and its sister cable channels took in $1B from advertisers "eager to tout their products during the 17-day" Olympics. Cable TV advertising "grew nearly 3%." But some cable nets "took a hit because advertisers shifted their spending to outlets that televised the Olympics." The "top advertisers" during the period were P&G ($770M) and GM ($472M) (LATIMES.com, 12/17).
APOLOGY ACCEPTED? In S.F., Bruce Jenkins apologized for his Sunday column, in which he "criticized NBA Commissioner David Stern for scheduling five games on Christmas Day, ruining the holiday for many participants." Jenkins: "I've made this point with regularity over the years, but this time, I pointed out that Stern is Jewish and wrote that he 'has no feel for Christmas in the first place.'" Jenkins added, "That statement is just plain wrong, not to mention arrogant, and I apologize for it. I should not have brought up the subject of Stern's religion. ... I shouldn't have addressed the issue of David Stern's faith in any manner" (SFGATE.com, 12/17).
TEEING OFF: The AP's Michael Marot noted Golf Channel starting in '14 will "televise the NCAA Division I golf championships" with three days of coverage from the men's tournament. Golf Channel also will "carry the men's and women's championships the following year." It marks the "first time since 1997 that the women's championship will be televised live" (AP, 12/17).
SAYING GOODBYE: In DC, Dan Steinberg noted about "three-and-a-half years after Washington Post sports columnist Mike Wise launched a radio show for" WJFK-FM, that program "is ending." Steinberg reported the show "will be replaced by a four-hour program hosted by Holden Kushner and Danny Rouhier." WJFK-FM Program Dir Chris Kinard said it was a "ratings-based decision." Wise in a statement said, "It's not by choice" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/14).
