BROADCASTING & CABLE's John Eggerton reported George Washington Univ. professor John Banzhaf has "challenged the license" of Redskins Owner Dan Snyder's ESPN Radio 980 DC over the broadcast of the name "Redskins." Snyder's Red Zebra Broadcasting "owns seven radio stations," and Banzhaf "signaled last week that he was teeing up a challenge to one or all the stations." Banzhaf's challenge is "based in part on the argument by former FCC officials and others that the term is a racial slur and that 'the unnecessary and repeated on-air use of that derogatory racist word is contrary to current federal law and akin to broadcasting obscenity'" (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 9/2).
ENGLISH CHANNEL: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Georg Szalai reports British broadcaster Channel 4 "will air" 21 live NFL games this season as part of its two-year contract with the league. The net said that this figure "will set a record for one season on free-to-air TV in the U.K." Channel 4 last year "aired 17 games." Channel 4 "will broadcast" the three London games as well as Super Bowl XLIX (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/3).
JET SETTERS: In N.Y., Justin Terranova cited sources as saying that former NFLers Erik Coleman and Chad Cascadden will join SNY's coverage of the Jets for this season. Cascadden will be "replacing Joe Klecko on the 'Post Game Live,' while Coleman will be on each Thursday’s 'Jets Game Plan.'” Sources said Klecko’s departure was a "mutual decision.” Meanwhile, former Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff "will now have a full-time role on the postgame show," and former NFLer Ray Lucas will "continue to be an analyst on 'Game Plan'" (NYPOST.com, 9/1).
THIRSTY THURSDAY: CBS Sports and NFL Network yesterday announced they will open each "Thursday Night Football" telecast with Jay Z's song "Run This Town," featuring Rihanna. The open also will include narration by actor Don Cheadle and be customized each week to highlight the teams playing and storylines around the game (CBS).
