NBC Sports Chicago yesterday confirmed the RSN is "reducing staff." In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal notes it appears about a "dozen employees in a wide variety of slots will be let go, though it’s not known if anyone whose primary job is in front of the camera will be fired." Among those let go was White Sox writer Dan Hayes (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/14).
RAISING THE BARSTOOL: VARIETY's Todd Spangler noted Barstool Sports is "taking over channel 93 on SiriusXM" beginning Jan. 15. The 24-hour channel will "exclusively air Barstool content." The launch comes one year after SiriusXM "brought Barstool on board for 'Barstool Radio,' a daily two-hour radio show" that airs from 12:00-2:00pm ET (VARIETY.com, 11/13).
TIME FOR A LAUGH: VARIETY's Spangler noted in Facebook’s new original series, "Bill Murray and Brian Doyle-Murray’s Extra Innings," the famous brothers "take a road-trip to visit America’s minor league baseball teams." The 10-episode "unscripted comedy series debuts on Facebook Watch on Monday with new episodes -- each running about 8 minutes -- available weekly on Mondays." The show is "produced by Oso Studios and funded by Facebook." Bill Murray is a "longtime booster of minor league baseball" as part owner of the independent St. Paul Saints and Single-A South Atlantic League Charleston RiverDogs, as well as an "investor in other teams" (VARIETY.com, 11/13).
