In L.A., Tom Hoffarth notes FS West execs are tasked with having to fit "essential pieces like the Kings, Ducks, Dodgers, Angels and Clippers into the programming slots provided on FSW and Prime Ticket, with options available -- sometimes -- on Channels 9 and 13, KDOC and a Regional Sports Network spill channel." Hoffarth: "Who gets priority? Why is one team shuttled from one home to the other?" FSW and Prime Ticket Senior VP & GM Steve Simpson said, "We have no 'favorites' -- the goal is always trying to achieve a balance that's fair and impartial" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/10).
WELCOME TO THE TEAM: Fox Sports Media Group on Thursday announced that ESPNews anchor Don Bell, Celtics sideline reporter Molly McGrath and CTV on-air personality Julie Stewart-Binks are joining Fox Sports 1. Bell's primary new role includes anchor duties for Fox Sports Live, while McGrath and Stewart-Binks will serve as breaking news correspondents (Fox).
MAY MADNESS: In Omaha, Rich Kaipust noted ESPN is planning to cover all 16 regionals of the College World Series, and in doing so, the network will "add a Bases Loaded platform, which will include lead college baseball analyst Kyle Peterson in studio and feature 'whip-around' coverage during four days of regionals that start May 31." ESPN believes that the Bases Loaded feature will "be one of the best touches it puts on the NCAA regionals." It will "provide live cut-ins and highlights from around the country, plus commentary from ESPN analysts." Bases Loaded will "air in its entirety on ESPN3, and ESPNU and ESPN2 will simulcast at select times" (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 5/9).
STORM CLOUDS GATHERING: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick notes some viewers were unaware that CBS' coverage of the final round of the PGA Tour Wells Fargo Championship last Sunday was "on tape -- the final round began early due to weather concerns -- thus they learned from other TV stops that Derek Ernst had won." If they had "known it was on same-day tape -- if that graphic had been displayed more often -- viewers would have been careful." Instead, they "left CBS, found out, and didn’t bother to return" (N.Y. POST, 5/10).
