In L.A., Stephen Battaglio notes ESPN is "launching its first bilingual sports news show, aimed at the growing audience of Latino viewers" in the U.S. ESPN2 on Sept. 26 will launch "Nación ESPN," a "one-hour weekly program" featuring host Jorge Sedano, and reporters Bernardo Osuna and Marly Rivera. Although the show "will be presented in English," guests can "speak in Spanish if they prefer." The bilingual hosts will "summarize remarks in English in such cases." Taped interviews conducted in Spanish "will have English subtitles" (L.A. TIMES, 9/20).
NICE RING TO IT: Bill Simmons yesterday tweeted that Memphis radio personality Chris Vernon "will host a series of weekly podcasts for The Ringer." Vernon said that he will "continue to live in Memphis and serve as on-air analyst" for FS Tennessee's coverage of the Grizzlies. In Memphis, Tom Schad notes Vernon's Ringer hosting duties will include "one college football podcast and two NBA podcasts per week from September through December ... and three NBA podcasts per week from January through July." Vernon said that he "expects to record and post his first podcast" by the end of the month (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 9/20).
VARSITY LETTER: National cheer and dance competitions, like the National High School Cheerleading Championship, will be streamed thanks to a deal between Varsity Spirit and FloSports. Through Varsity.tv, live competitions, a video library of old competitions and documentaries will be streamed. Some content will be free; some will cost viewers an undetermined amount (John Ourand, Staff Writer).
