The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Michael O'Connell reported NBC has "locked down its second consecutive November sweep win" among adults 18-49 on the heels of two "especially strong showings" from "SNF." The net through Nov. 24 is "averaging a 2.6 rating in the key demo, which easily outpaces closest rival CBS." Fourth-place Fox, down 26% to a 1.5 rating among adults 18-49, was "without last year's significant advantage of several World Series games airing in the sweep window" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 11/26).
CRIS CROSSED: In Denver, Benjamin Hochman writes after back-to-back games on "SNF," many Broncos fans "have become not just irritated but irate" with NBC's Cris Collinsworth. It is "hard to believe that the highly paid, highly scrutinized professional broadcaster enters a game thinking: 'I'm going to make sure that a dislike for Denver comes through in my analysis.'" Hochman: "It's amusing, to a degree, that Broncomaniacs take this stuff so personally. ... Yet, why is Collinsworth the lone target?" (DENVER POST, 11/27).
DON'T CENSOR ME: NBC Sports President of Programming Jon Miller said of the net's usage of rink-side audio for its upcoming "NHL Revealed" series, "That audio has so much more to offer, probably in this sport almost more than any other." But Miller said that there is a "downside to player audio on a basic cable channel: NBCSN will have to employ a bleep button to edit the salty language" that is permissible on HBO's "24/7." Still, NHL COO John Collins said that at "some point a 'director's cut' will come out with those cuts restored" (ADAGE.com, 11/26).
OSGOOD AS GOLD: In Detroit, Gregg Krupa writes FS Detroit hockey analyst Chris Osgood's first season on the job is "affording viewers a new standard on what, for Fox, is a significant regional program." Mickey Redmond is a "big loss, on the road broadcasts," but Osgood is "already strong in the role, as well as in the studio before and after home games, and between periods." Osgood said of adjusting to his new role as a broadcaster, "I wouldn't say it is total comfort. But, I definitely enjoy it. That's the main thing, which is key for me: I’m having a lot of fun doing it" (DETROIT NEWS, 11/26).
