GOLF WORLD MONDAY's Tim Rosaforte reported CBS golf on-course reporter Peter Kostis will return to the net for the PGA Tour Farmers Insurance Open from Jan. 23-26, his "first event working TV since the HP Byron Nelson Championship last May." Kostis had surgery to treat colon cancer the following week. He "wanted to return" for the PGA Championship last August, but the "cumulative nature of the treatments sapped his strength." His return "could begin" in one of CBS' towers, and then later "returning to the ground as a walking analyst" (GOLF WORLD MONDAY, 1/13).
ACCELERATING THE PROCESS: In Houston, David Barron noted attorneys for Comcast "citing concerns that the value of Comcast SportsNet Houston is declining with each day ... have asked a federal judge for an accelerated reorganization process if the judge chooses next month to keep the network under bankruptcy court jurisdiction." The motion "could be argued as early as Feb. 4 before Bankruptcy Judge Marvin Isgur, who will hold hearings that day on the Astros’ motion to dismiss the involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition filed in September." If the case "becomes a full-blown Chapter 11 proceeding ... Comcast wants the judge to appoint an examiner who could preside over the sale of the company and to waive the normal 120-day period during which a company under Chapter 11 protection has the exclusive right to file a reorganization plan" (CHRON.com, 1/13).
CONTINUING DISCUSSIONS: ACC Commissioner John Swofford said officials are "continuing discussions" about the creation of an ACC Network cable TV channel. Swofford said, "We had some good discussions in Pasadena, in fact. Had some time with [ESPN President] John Skipper, so those discussions continue going forward, and we’re keeping an eye on the SEC’s efforts in their upcoming launch, which I think will be successful" (ESPN.com, 1/13).
YO JOE: In L.A., Bill Dwyre writes when ESPN dropped MLB broadcaster Joe Morgan in '11, there was the "possibility that the ever-present Morgan might fade from view." Morgan currently lives in Danville, Calif., and "serves as a special advisor to the Reds' head of baseball operations." Morgan: "I shouldn't be on TV now. I evaluate talent. ... I couldn't be happier. The broadcasting was great for the most part, but not so much the last few years" (L.A. TIMES, 1/14).
