The GLOBE & MAIL's David Shoalts cited survey results as showing that Canadian viewers are "slowly coming around" to Rogers Media's version of "Hockey Night in Canada." A survey by the Angus Reid Institute "found fewer of them miss the CBC version of the show" this season compared to the first year it came under the control of Rogers Sportsnet. While there is "still a strong attachment to former host Ron MacLean, more viewers are getting used to George Stroumboulopoulos." Results showed that 20% of respondents said the new crew is "clicking together really well," compared with 8% in '14. This number rose to 32% among respondents 18-34 (GLOBE & MAIL, 12/12).
CHANGING THEIR STRIPES: DCRTV.com's Dave Hughes reported the Redskins are "making some big changes in the structure and management" of the Red Zebra radio broadcasting arm, which owns ESPN Radio 980 DC and WSPZ-AM. Sources said that Red Zebra CEO Rick Carmean on Thursday "was let go," to be "replaced by executives from the Redskins," including Senior VP & Exec Producer of Media Larry Michael, who calls the team's radio games, and VP/Sales & Marketing Steve Johnson. A source said, "The team plans to exert more direct control over the (radio stations)" (DCRTV.com, 12/11).
ROCK DOC: VARIETY's Whitney Friedlander reported actor Dwayne Johnson and manager Dany Garcia's Seven Bucks Productions have "partnered with production company Left/Right and sports agency Athletes First to create a documentary series about college football players’ intense preparation for the NFL draft" (VARIETY.com, 12/11).
