CBS Sports Network's new all-female "We Need To Talk" show, which debuted Tuesday night, is a "compelling concept" that has "yielded a compelling program that should become a staple," according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES. It is a women’s talk show that "is a sports show, not a women’s show about sports." Tuesday's debut episode "suggested that CBS should do what is necessary to make the show a fixture on a sports cable network that needs good studio programming that stands out from what competitors are doing." A "likable cast of smart and diverse voices -- none of whom were given to shouting or interrupting -- should be given a long-term chance at success." The show right now only has a commitment "through the fall, which means it will have to create substantial buzz" from its 10:00pm ET time slot and "make the most of promotions in other CBS programming, including NFL games." One way to "further promote the show would be to replay episodes on the CBS broadcast network and expand its audience from the 55 million subscribers of the CBS Sports Network." CBS Sports President David Berson in an e-mail wrote this was a "possibility but that there were no plans to do so" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/2). SPORTS ON EARTH's Lindsay Gibbs wrote there is "more reason for excitement than eye-rolls," as the show "managed to pack more substance into 44 minutes of studio time than most sports talk shows do in a month." The strength of the show "lies in its talent." It was "wonderful to see well-spoken women discussing the hot-button sports issues with just as much (if not more) insight as the prominent male voices in the industry." The "diverse backgrounds of the commentators suited this part of the show well" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 10/1).
AT THE FOREFRONT: ESPNW's Jane McManus wrote the Ray Rice story has "brought the issue of domestic violence out of the shadows," and sports media outlets have "responded by soliciting the reporting and opinions of women who work for them." There are "so many knowledgeable women in our business who may not be able to showcase the full extent of their reporting on a sideline update." SNY's Jeane Coakley has "excellent sources at the Jets," and ESPN "First Take" moderator Cari Champion "researches each guest and prepares diligently." McManus: "We may never fill the NFL seat reserved for the ex-athlete or coach, but there can still be a seat at the table for us as reporters and analysts when we earn our way there." The women who work at ESPN and elsewhere "also cover sports on a daily basis, and their voices remain available -- beyond weighing in on whatever is the 'woman's issue' of the day." Women in sports are "too often relegated to the sidelines or the host chair, but this story shows that we have valuable contributions to make about what's happening on the field as well as off" (ESPNW.com, 10/1).
