SI.com's Richard Deitsch reported ESPN has told its X Games on-air talent that "production and operations for the event will no longer solely be handled by ESPN." The event will "now be produced by an external production company in conjunction with a unit at ESPN." It is unknown "what that means for the faces who have brought you the competition." ESPN uses outside production companies "for some of its programming," including the ESPYs and the N.Y. Marathon (SI.com, 9/9).
SPECIAL DELIVERY: BLOOMBERG NEWS' Lucas Shaw cited sources as saying that Amazon is "pursuing video rights to a wide range of sports," including the French Open and pro rugby, as the company "looks for ways to draw new customers to its online TV service." The sources said that Amazon "expressed interest in sports with global appeal," such as tennis, golf and auto racing (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 9/9).
ROLE REVERSAL: In N.Y., Bob Raissman noted SNY through 108 Mets broadcasts so far this season is "ahead of the ratings pace" it set in '15. The Mets have reached an "average of 261,356 viewers, 12% more than the 233,028 they averaged" last season. The 2.71 average local rating is up 7% from a 2.54 from '15. By comparison, the Yankees on YES Network have averaged 218,866 total viewers for 112 broadcasts, a 15% drop from the 257,368 in '15. The Yankees "have averaged a 2.29 household rating, 16% down from the 2.74 rating" last year (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/11).
