Media Notes
 |
AIG Cancels Bradshaw
Speaking Appearance At Conference |
In Arizona, Craig Harris reported AIG canceled a speaking appearance by Fox' Terry Bradshaw at a November 5-7 conference in Phoenix, "saying it wasn't a necessary expense even though a sponsor was paying for the appearance" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/11). The Web site of Bradshaw's booking agent indicated that Bradshaw "makes $40,000 and up for appearances" (USA TODAY, 11/13).
NOT DIALED IN: In Dallas, Barry Horn wrote of NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France's comments about the move of the conclusion of Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in Phoenix from ABC to ESPN2, "Maybe France would have been tougher if NASCAR ratings were still climbing and his game was still a network darling. But interest has definitely levelled off." Horn noted ABC's NASCAR ratings for its nine broadcasts this season are down 5% from last year (DALLASNEWS.com, 11/12). CBSSPORTS.com's Pete Pistone wrote NASCAR "has sold its soul and control to television." NASCAR "no longer has a say in when races start because the networks, including Fox and ABC/ESPN, dictate the green flag." This has led to "later and later start times, as the networks try to attract the West Coast audience while dovetailing into its prime time programming lineup." This "seems to be backfiring," as fans "don't seem interested in starting their NASCAR viewing experience at 2 or 3 p.m. on the East Coast and be forced to sit in front of the tube into the early evening" (CBSSPORTS.com, 11/12).
NOTES: Hazel Mae, who was recently added to MLB Network's on-air lineup, said of her new role, "I'll be doing a little bit of everything, live updates, helping on the desk, being in the field, helping out with training camps for our '30 Teams In 30 Days.' The great thing about this job is that I'll have my hand in a little bit of everything" (BOSTON HERALD, 11/13)....CABLEFAX DAILY reports ESPN and Verizon have teamed up to offer a fantasy football widget. The widget provides Verizon FiOS TV customers who are "also ESPN Fantasy Football players instant on-screen access to personalized stats such as fantasy game scoring, box scores and player info" (CABLEFAX DAILY, 11/13).
|
