Media Notes
In L.A., Tom Hoffarth notes FSN West's "Rinkside View" plan to "enhance the 20 high-definition telecasts of Kings and Ducks games this season has been a haphazard hybrid of a small dose of traditional coverage merged with a larger contingent of low-level and robotic camera spots around the rink." But some viewers have started referring to the format as "Stinkside," alleging that it "causes motion sickness", and some said that they have contacted Fox Sports Chair & Exec Producer David Hill "directly at his office to vent." FSN Exec Producer Tom Feuer said of the feedback, "Some of it has been more difficult to digest than others. But some has been incredibly positive once you cut through the junk." Hoffarth notes "Rinkside" is not a "new concept," as other RSNs "have tried it in different NHL cities" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 11/14).
FEELING THE HEAT: In Toronto, Chris Zelkovich reports "most southern Ontario basketball fans won't be able to watch" Sunday's Heat-Raptors game "barring an 11th-hour deal." The game will air on TSN2, which is not carried by Rogers Cable, and since Rogers "supplies cable to more than 2 million homes in this part of the province, a substantial number of fans will be shut out." Sunday's game is the first of 25 Raptors games scheduled for TSN2, and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Exec VP & COO Tom Anselmi said that "no thought has been given to moving Sunday's game or any other broadcast slated for TSN2." TSN2 is available in 3.2 million HHs in Canada (TORONTO STAR, 11/14).
NOTES: K.C. Star columnist Jeffrey Flanagan has left the paper (THE DAILY)....The Astros and Clear Channel Communications have "reached an agreement in principle for regular-season games to remain" on KTRH-AM, with exhibition games to be carried on KTRH and KBME-AM. KTRH has broadcast Astros games since '99 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/14)....Sources said that SportsNet N.Y. Mets studio analyst Lee Mazzilli "will not be back in 2009." Former MLBer Bob Ojeda "appears to be" the leading candidate to replace Mazzilli (NEWSDAY, 11/14).
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