In N.Y., Bob Raissman reported SNY starting Sept. 10 is "rolling out" a "Jets Pregame Live" show on Sundays from 12:00-1:00pm ET. SNY will be "going head-to-head with the network pregame shows, banking on Jets fans wanting a show devoted strictly to their team." This is an "interesting season for SNY to embark on a Jets pregame show," as conventional wisdom "tells us the team is in for a long year." But it could be "all the more reason to have a local pregame show." Network shows could "ignore" the team, and that will make SNY's show the "only place on TV to come for a comprehensive look at the Jets an hour before the game." Local analysis also is "always much more salty when a team is losing" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/27).
RADIO GA GA: In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal reported the Bears might be "poised to change radio stations for the first time this century." The team’s broadcast rights are "again up for renewal after this season, and it’s not known" whether WBBM-AM -- the flagship station since '00 -- will "be able to retain them." Another station, perhaps WGN-AM, "may be in position to grab the English-language rights" beginning with the '18 season as bidding "heats up" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 8/25).
HOMECOMING DANCE: In Dallas, Barry Horn noted CBS has "yet to finalize distribution plans" for its regional early games in Week 1, but it "should be a good bet" that Raiders-Titans ends up being broadcast locally by KTVT-CBS. That will be Tony Romo's "debut as the network's lead analyst alongside Jim Nantz." Among CBS' other options for the early window, there is "not a must-see game in the bunch." KTVT "has a say in which game it will get, but the ultimate decision ... belongs to CBS" (DALLASNEWS.com, 8/25).
CHARMED LIFE: The Ravens and broadcast partner WBAL-AM announced that former players Dennis Pitta, Todd Heap, Justin Forsett and Jarret Johnson will "each join the radio broadcast team for four games." They will team with play-by-play man Gerry Sandusky and former NFLer Stan White for '17 (BALTIMORESUN.com, 8/25).
