YAHOO SPORTS' Greg Wyshynski wrote the NHL "surprised many" recently when it left HBO and its "24/7" franchise, opting to bring its Winter Classic reality series to Epix, which has a "lower profile, by far, and far less experience in creating '24/7'-like programming." But Epix was "willing to pay for the series and offer the NHL additional air time: Both of its outdoor games next season will get their own series of episodes." NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said, "Using the new platforms, it’s more homes than where HBO is available. We think our fans will have more access to the new generation ‘24/7’ than they had previously with HBO." Bettman denied that the NHL BOG "pressured him to leave HBO and bring the series to a wider audience" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 9/22).
MATCH POINT: FS1's Andy Roddick said of the job he has done on air, "I don't know how to hand out grades on myself for what I am doing for Fox, but I know they took a chance on me. I had zero experience in the media world, save [a] once-a-week radio show. I think I've managed." SI.com's Richard Deitsch wrote Roddick has been "particularly good on the podcast because, along with a strong voice, he gets more time to elaborate on his opinion." When asked if the panel concept for "Fox Sports Live" would work long-term, Roddick said, "I think putting an athlete in the frame of a fan is a cool deal. I don't know how much they will go with it heading forward but selfishly it has been fun." Deitsch noted Roddick is signed with Fox Sports through '15 (SI.com, 9/22).
BOBBY'S WORLD? In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote SNY "took a big hit losing the popular Kevin Burkhardt" to Fox Sports last year, and now color analyst Bob Ojeda’s deal "expires at the end of this season." Raissman: "From what we’re hearing Ojeda and SNY brass have not gotten into the nitty-gritty of a new deal." Ojeda, working with new booth partner Gary Apple, "turned in another commanding performance" this season. The Mets again "provided a rocky, bumpy, erratic ride, but Ojeda was never once thrown from this bull." Nor did he "deliver bullspit while analyzing another frustrating season" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/21).
PICKING UP THE PACE: NESN yesterday announced plans to expand its sports news programming by launching a 20-minute show called "NESN Sports Update" that will air every morning from 5:00-9:00am ET beginning Nov. 3. The show also will re-air from 12:00-2:00pm on weekdays when a live event is not scheduled (NESN).
