In N.Y., Claire Atkinson notes Discovery Communications President & CEO David Zaslav has “hinted that Discovery, through its controlling stake in Eurosport, would explore a new regional sports network and partner with European companies on rights and sharing coverage.” Discovery “has between two and four cable services across Europe where it could accommodate sports coverage.” Zaslav “promised” that the Eurosport deal struck earlier this year, which valued the pan-European media company at $1.2B, “will look like a smart move in just three years” (NYPOST.com, 9/10).
RIGHT SAID FRED: The AP’s Doug Ferguson reported “The Fred Couples Show” will debut on the SiriusXM PGA Tour channel on Sept. 25, “the night before the Ryder Cup begins." Couples is known as a “sports junkie,” and will host the show from an L.A. studio “with longtime friend George Downing” (AP, 9/10).
THREE STARS: In Newark, Rich Chere reported that Ken Daneyko “will succeed” Glenn Resch as the Devils’ TV analyst alongside play-by-play man Steve Cangialosi for the ’14-15 season. Daneyko “had been [in] an in-studio analyst position for the past eight seasons” (NJ.com, 9/10)....MSG Networks named Hockey HOFer and Islanders VP/Corporate Sponsorship & Partnership Marketing Mike Bossy a studio analyst for the ’14-15 NHL season (MSG)....In Vancouver, Scott Brown reported that the Canucks named AHL Toronto Marlies radio play-by-play announcer Jon Abbott to “replace Rick Ball behind the mic this season.” Ball “left Vancouver to become the new TV voice” of the Flames on Rogers Sportsnet (VANCOUVERSUN.com, 9/9).
