The Big Ten Network “did what it is supposed to do” in its coverage of the NCAA's sanctions against Penn State yesterday -- "cover the big news and cover it hard,” according to Ed Sherman of SHERMANREPORT.com. BTN was “on the air for 4-plus hours ... covering the fallout,” and it was “quite a contrast to what occurred nearly two weeks ago when the BTN was hammered from not airing live coverage of the explosive Freeh Commission press conference.” BTN President Mark Silverman said, “We need to cover the story as well as any other news entity. We knew this was going to happen, and it allowed us to get ahead of the game.” Silverman said the net "wanted to have covered" the Freeh Report, but blamed "human error" for not airing that press conference earlier this month. Silverman: "There was an internal communications issue. We regret not having shown that press conference.” Sherman noted Silverman tried to dismiss the notion that the conference-owned network “doesn’t want to handle negative news.” Silverman: “The conference wants us to be credible. We’re going to be honest and candid in our coverage. It’s not in our best interest to sugarcoat things. ... Since November, we haven’t shied away from this topic. We had a big miss which we regret, but other than that we’ve covered the story well and have been a service to our viewers” (SHERMANREPORT.com, 7/23). AWFUL ANNOUNCING’s Joe Lucia wrote BTN yesterday “stepped up in a big way, and provided some of their best coverage.” Lucia: "Big Ten Network pretty much covered every possible angle in covering the scandal today, and they should be commended for their work. ... For a network that came under so much fire by neglecting the announcement of the Freeh Report, BTN changed course and did an amazing job today” (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 7/23).
MEDIA MONITOR: The first court appearance of the suspect in the Colorado movie theater shootings led all three network news shows last night, but the latest in the PSU scandal was the second item on all broadcasts. CBS' "Evening News" reported on the penalties 7:56 into the broadcast, with 3:23 of total coverage that included a taped report from State College, Pa., and live commentary on the PSU campus. NBC's "Nightly News" reported on PSU at 8:20, and featured 5:01 of total coverage, with a live report from campus and a taped report that included commentary from NBC’s Bob Costas. A second NBC report examined the economic hit to local businesses in State College if fans stop coming to home football games. ABC's "World News" first reported on the story 10:33 into the broadcast, with 2:12 of total coverage that also included a live report from State College. The network morning shows today also led with the Colorado shootings, but all three included an update on the PSU situation within the first 15 minutes of the broadcast. "CBS This Morning" included a live report from State College and a live interview with Emmert in studio. ABC had ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap live in studio to discuss the story (THE DAILY).
TV IS THE LIFEBLOOD: In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes since Penn State “was not banned from appearing on television, the school will continue pocketing its share -- a hefty $20.7 million per year -- of the TV rights fee the Big Ten collects from ESPN, The Big Ten Network, Fox and CBS.” Penn State would not collect its share "if the NCAA had suspended the football program for a season or two.” Meanwhile, some of NCAA President Mark Emmert’s words “should also have impact on the network suits who pay these billion-dollar rights fees.” Raissman: “They are the bankers for all these programs. TV money is the lifeblood of the sport. It also fuels corrupt programs. In return for their investments, the networks make plenty of dough. … When it comes to perpetuating ‘hero worship,’ the voices calling college football games take a back seat to no one. Coaches are deified. ... Winning football games did not make Joe Paterno a god, not even a saint. But that’s how he was portrayed by guys like Keith Jackson and Brent Musburger” (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/24).
