In Boston, Hiawatha Bray reviews Dish Network’s Sling TV OTT service and writes it “has plenty of weaknesses.” The picture quality “isn’t quite up to cable standards,” and there are “no ads on ESPN, just the network logo during commercial breaks.” Dish “plans to insert its own selection of ads at some point.” While “it may be a while” before “MNF” is available on Sling, the service “will offer” ESPN’s NBA and MLB games. However, despite any current tech shortcomings, Sling TV “ought to prosper.” If Dish “can sign up enough thrifty TV fans, the resulting competition could lower everyone’s cable bills” (BOSTON GLOBE, 2/5).
PATRIOT GAMES: THE MMQB’s Peter King wrote for next season's NFL Kickoff game on NBC, the league “probably won’t have much of a choice for its marquee game,” as the Patriots’ home schedule is “particularly weak.” The Steelers or Eagles are “most likely, because they’d be competitive offensively.” King: “My guess is Pittsburgh. Tom Brady-Ben Roethlisberger is a pretty promotable game” (MMQB.SI.com, 2/3).
FOX HOLES: Fox Sports yesterday unveiled the TV schedule for its inaugural year of broadcasting the USGA championships, with 320 hours of live coverage planned, including 38.5 hours during the U.S. Open from June 18-21. The first USGA event on Fox will be the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship on May 5-6. Coverage of the USGA championships will be hosted on Fox and FS1, with Fox Deportes providing additional coverage during the U.S. Open (Fox).
