Media Notes
In N.Y., Bob Raissman noted ESPN through the years has "remained committed to the legacy" of late N.C. State men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano, and the net last week "devoted air time to soliciting contributions" for the V Foundation for Cancer Research. Raissman: "This is an occasion when ESPN puts its might, and multi-program platforms, to great use. For a most worthy cause" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/14).
SCRUM IT UP: In London, Mark Souster reported Sky Sports has extended their deal for TV rights to the European Rugby Cup in the U.K. and Ireland. Premier Rugby CEO Mark McCafferty said that the new deal, which begins in 2010, "shows a 'significant uplift' to the existing agreement." Souster wrote the deal, on top of the Setanta deal announced last week for Guiness Premiership rugby matches, "demonstrates that rugby, while not immune to the ravages of the economic downturn, is building a foundation that will enable it, and some clubs, to weather the worst of the storm" (LONDON TIMES, 12/13).
MAS GRANDE: Fox Sports en Español Magazine is "increasing its presence to eight of the top Hispanic markets" in the U.S., marking a 22% increase in the publication's reach. The magazine currently has a circulation of 750,000. The decision to expand "comes as two competitors -- ESPN Deportes La Revista and SI Latino -- face uncertain futures." Televisa Publishing earlier this month "revealed it will no longer publish and distribute ESPN Deportes La Revista," and Time Inc. has put SI Latino "on 'hiatus'" for an undetermined period (HISPANIC MARKET WEEKLY, 12/15 issue).
RADIO WAVES: ESPN Radio 1050 N.Y. GM Tim McCarthy said that reports that ESPN "wants to buy the struggling 101.9 FM frequency" from Ennis Communications Corp. and move his station to FM "might be a nice idea, but that 'we are having no conversations about it.'" Speculation last week had the net putting ESPN Deportes Radio on the AM outlet if an FM station was acquired, and McCarthy "doesn't rule out that possibility." But he added that ESPN is building a new $12M tower that will move ESPN 1050's transmitter from East Rutherford to North Bergen, New Jersey. McCarthy: "What's going on is the new transmitter" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/15).
NOTES: Nike last week began production on a film about the Texas High School Division 1 six-man state championship between Strawn High School and Follett High School for its football Web site, Nikefootball.com (MINERAL WELLS INDEX, 12/12).
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