In Colorado Springs, Tom Roeder reported the Armed Forces Network "will only be showing news updates" during the partial government shutdown. The network is a "morale builder for the military, especially during football season." It is "common to see troops congregated around screens in the middle of the night overseas as they watch the a live game half a world away from home." The net also broadcasts "entertainment and family programming for American bases worldwide, including Europe and Asia, where American programs aren’t available off base" (GAZETTE.com, 10/3).
NIGHTTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME: Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott Thursday night "defended the late start times" of several recent conference football games. Scott said, "The truth is they rate well. We get a lot of attention because there’s not a lot that’s going on. But we’re very mindful to spread it amongst all of our campuses. We realize it is a burden for fans. It’s a burden for campuses." Scott "credited these national television spots for contributing [to] the conference’s increased profile." He said, "All of this has conspired to see the Pac-12 get a lot more love from the national media" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 10/4).
PRESIDENTIAL TIMBER: GOLFWEEK's Martin Kaufmann wrote Golf Channel's telecast of the first day of the Presidents Cup Thursday was "technically proficient, but certainly not flashy." When U.S. golfer Keegan Bradley "eagled the fifth hole, for example, we saw a graphic showing he had the best par-5 scoring average on Tour in 2013." But a minute later, after seeing a live shot and replay of U.S. golfer Hunter Mahan "stiffing his approach on No. 9, the crew didn’t even bother to track the flight" of International golfer Graham DeLaet’s approach, which was "almost as good, judging by the crowd’s reaction." It was a "minor flaw, but it just fuels the perception ... that NBC sometimes gets so caught up covering American teams that it forgets to cover the story." The broadcast also needs "a running scroll of scores," as "even with only six matches on the course, viewers need to be updated on what is going on" (GOLFWEEK.com, 10/3).
TRUE TO THEIR ROOTS: In Miami, Barry Jackson writes WAXY-AM's Dan Le Batard and Jon Weiner have "maintained their irreverent, self-deprecating approach while breaking in a new audience on ESPN Radio," and their show "hasn’t changed much since going national this week." Le Batard said, "We’re looking to keep the local audience happy while not alienating a national audience. This is going to take some (audience) training" (MIAMI HERALD, 10/4).
