Media Notes
MULTICHANNEL NEWS' Todd Spangler reported Dish Network moved ESPNU to a "more widely distributed tier" yesterday, but ESPN said that the move is "unrelated to the pending lawsuit" Dish filed in federal court in August. ESPN added that the change "does not indicate the legal issues between the two parties have been settled." The network issued a statement saying, "This is not related to the settlement of any pending litigation. Our position remains that any claims by Dish are without merit." Spangler noted Dish in the lawsuit alleged that ESPN "breached its contract by not extending the same carriage terms the programmer provided to Comcast and DirecTV" (MULTICHANNEL.com, 9/30).
INSIDE LOOK: MEDIAPOST's Erik Sass reported Vizio is "helping to create a new show" for FSN called "Vizio's Profiles." The weekly show, hosted by Fox sideline reporter Laura Okmin, debuts Friday and "features in-depth, 30-minute profiles of pro football stars, covering their lives both on and off the field with a 'reality TV' approach" (MEDIAPOST.com, 9/29).
GETTING THEIR KICKS: Singapore Telecommunications (ST) has "won the bid for the exclusive rights" to the EPL in the country "for the next three seasons" beginning with the '10-11 season. ST also "secured the broadcast rights to ESPN STAR Sports' current flagship channel offerings, which cover ESPN, Star Sports and STAR Cricket" (Singapore STRAITS TIMES, 10/1).
PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES: Paul Maguire will serve as play-by-play announcer for HDNet's UFL broadcasts, while Kenny Rice serves as analyst and Ron Kruck and Natalie Taylor serve as sideline reporters (HDNet)....YES Network has hired WABC-TV's Jessica Taff as its Nets pre-game, in-game and post-game reporter. Taff also will handle other reporting duties for the net (YES).
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