In L.A. Meg James notes CBS reported 7% lower Q2 profit than last year, as net income of $439M was down from $472M in Q2 '13. Contributing to CBS' lower revenue was a "shift of the semifinals of the NCAA men's basketball tournament to the Turner networks," which is owned by Time Warner. CBS will "broadcast NFL games on Thursday nights this fall, which should help boost revenue" (L.A. TIMES, 8/8).
FINE TUNED: In Boston, Chad Finn notes WBZ-CBS' broadcast of the Patriots' preseason game Thursday "felt more familiar and standard than it did a season ago." The Patriots and Kraft Sports Productions last year took an "unusual approach to adding some flavor to preseason broadcasts" and stressing a more conversational tone in the booth. Thursday's game "felt like a standard NFL broadcast for the most part, though the conversational aspect was more prominent in the second half" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/8).
BIRD IS THE WORD: In St. Louis, Dan Caesar writes Tim McCarver has "been a monumental addition to Cardinals telecasts this season" on FS Midwest. He has "elevated" the games to a "level they never had attained" in the 18 seasons FS Midwest has had the broadcast rights. He also has "energized play-by-play announcer Dan McLaughlin." It is "not ranting and raving from McCarver, just even-handed commentary" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 8/8).
WE GOT THE BEAT: Jorge Castillo has been named the new Wizards beat writer for the Washington Post. Michael Lee, who previously covered the beat, is "still around," but he is now the Post's "national NBA writer" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 8/7).
