In Atlanta, Rodney Ho reported the Falcons' local TV partner "for preseason games and local Falcons-related programming has moved" from WGCL-CBS to WUPA-CW, which "will air four pre-season games plus two hours of local programs a week." WGCL VP & GM Trey Fabacher said that the station "chose not to pursue a new contract, noting it was a major commitment of time and resources they’d rather put into other priorities." WUPA "will receive support from CBS Sports in New York, which produces Falcons preseason game broadcasts" (AJC.com, 3/2).
JUST IN TIME FOR THE TOURNEY: NCAA.com, managed by Turner sports, has introduced a redesigned NCAA Sports app. The app will be released in time for the NCAA men's basketball tournament and will include real-time scores, schedules and highlights throughout the tournament. Other app features include exclusive live video coverage of various NCAA sports, custom score alerts, team hubs and an NCAA Top 100 list tracking school popularity within the app. Buick has signed on as the app's presenting sponsor (Turner Sports).
CUTTING TIES: An NFL Network spokesperson said that former NFLer Darren Sharper, who "faces two counts of aggravated rape of two different women in New Orleans," was "officially terminated" by the net. In N.Y., Dillon & Red noted Sharper was "suspended indefinitely without pay Jan. 18 following an arrest for drug possession" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/1).
BACK TO SCHOOL: In N.Y., Bob Raissman reported last week a "contingent from YES was in Fox’s Hollywood bunker for a seminar" with other Fox RSNs. A source said that the YES Network crew was "schooled on Fox’s 'production philosophy' and new MLB rules and changes to the game, like expanded replay" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/2).
