NFL Media COO Brian Rolapp said that any potential additional Wild Card games "are not part of current TV contracts." AD AGE's Michael McCarthy noted that means the league's TV partners, "as well as possibly outsiders, might have a chance to bid" on the games. Fox Sports Senior VP/Media Relations Lou D'Ermilio, when asked if the net would be interested in bidding, said, "Very interested." McCarthy wrote ESPN is "dying for an NFL playoff game," so "look for ESPN to be a strong bidder." TNT previously held NFL rights from '90-97 and "could be a player" (ADAGE.com, 1/28).
CASE OF THE MONDAYS: VARIETY's Whitney Friedlander noted scheduling conflicts "have spurred NBC to punt this year's Primetime Emmy Awards to a Monday night in late August rather than its traditional Sunday slot." NBC in recent years moved the Emmys to late August "because of its obligation" to "SNF" during the Emmys' traditional slot in September. NBC this year also "might have" an NFL preseason game to carry on Sunday, Aug. 24, and would also face competition from MTV's Video Music Awards (VARIETY.com, 1/28).
WANTING AN EVEN PLAYING FIELD: Turner Broadcasting System President David Levy on Tuesday indicated that the organization “needs a dedicated sports site to compete with ESPN, Fox and others when bidding for sports rights." That would allow Turner to "offer a full branding and revenue opportunity to be competitive.” Levy: “If they have sports destinations to monetize digital, you need it or you will have to bid less and lose rights.” He noted that Turner in return “can offer those people things they can’t do themselves.” Levy used comedy video website “Funny Or Die” as an example (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/28).
