CABLEFAX DAILY notes the threat of Ted Leonsis taking the Capitals and Wizards "away from CSN Mid-Atlantic is over," as Monumental Sports & Entertainment yesterday announced a "long term rights deal that includes Monumental becoming an equity partner in CSN Mid-Atlantic." CAP Sports Group President Curt Pires said the "blueprint of the deal has NBC doing deals where they do not become a straight rights fee." He said, "In this case, they partner with Monumental on both the digital rights and the traditional TV rights. Makes a lot of sense." LHB Sports, Entertainment & Media President & CEO Lee Berke: “You can’t just say ‘I’m going to be on cable. I’m going to be on OTT.’ There’s a lot of audience out there. I think you’ll see a lot of experimentation" (CABLEFAX DAILY, 10/12).
NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE? In Oklahoma City, Mel Bracht notes FS1's inaugural broadcast of the Oklahoma-Texas football game was the "lowest-rated national telecast between the teams on record." This year's game drew 2.8 million viewers, down 44% from last year's telecast on ABC (5 million viewers). The telecast in Oklahoma City earned a 19.1 rating, down 38% from the '15 telecast on KOCO-ABC (OKLAHOMAN, 10/12).
RADIO DAYS? In Newark, Steve Politi notes New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie "sure seems like he's auditioning for a job at WFAN, and maybe for the job: Replacing the soon to retire Mike Francesa." Politi: "It makes sense on several levels" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 10/12).
