Media Notes
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ABC Praised For Coverage Immediately
Following Lakers Winning NBA Title |
The GLOBE & MAIL's Bruce Dowbiggin wrote there was a "stark contrast" between the CBC's coverage of the Penguins-Red Wings Stanley Cup Finals Game Seven postgame celebration and ABC's coverage of the Lakers' win over the Magic in NBA Finals Game Five. ABC sideline reporter Doris Burke "offered congratulations to Lakers players, but managed to avoid fawning over Kobe Bryant's hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy or calling Derek Fisher 'a heart-and-soul' guy." Burke asked "open-ended questions that elicited real responses." Meanwhile, Dowbiggin wrote ABC "gambled" in having analyst Jeff Van Gundy call games featuring his brother, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, and it "did not go well." Dowbiggin: "Either the loquacious Jeff went mute when his bro's wonky strategy was discussed, or he blamed players for coaching decisions. ... It was not the finest hour for ABC" (GLOBESPORTS.com, 6/17).
CAMERA ONE, GO: In Minneapolis, Judd Zulgad reports it is believed former T'Wolves coach Kevin McHale, who was fired yesterday, "already has been contacted by ABC/ESPN and TNT." The "best fit for McHale might be on TNT's much-praised studio show," as it "would require McHale only be present on Thursday nights during the regular season" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/18). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser: "I think he goes right to television. … It's like Matt Millen: The guy had no success with the team (and) didn't run it well" ("PTI," ESPN, 6/17).
OLYMPIC DEAL REACHED: The IOC has reached an agreement with the Arab States Broadcast Union (ASBU) for the broadcast rights in the Middle East for the '14 Sochi Games and the '16 Olympics. The ASBU and its members have committed to a daily 52-minute highlights program in primetime for the Sochi Games, as well as a minimum of 200 hours exposure for the '16 Games (IOC).
NOTES: ESPN2 last night at 10:00pm PT "rebroadcast in its entirety" yesterday's MLS DC United-Sounders game after the live broadcast of the game was pre-empted "until the 68th minute" by ESPN2's coverage of the Arkansas-Virginia extra-inning College World Series game (SEATTLEPI.com, 6/17)....Warner Home Video on July 7 will release the official "Pittsburgh Penguins 2008-09 Stanley Cup Champions" DVD for $24.98. Meanwhile, Comcast currently is "offering a replay of Monday's victory parade ... to digital subscribers via its On Demand service" (Pittsburgh TRIBUNE REVIEW, 6/17).
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