Patriots President Jonathan Kraft said of possibly streaming games in the future, "We have another six years to run on our TV deals and during that time we are absolutely going to experiment with trying to figure out the right way to distribute the product in conjunction with traditional broadcast television to make sure that all of our fans are being well served. The Thursday Night package, which is what you're hearing about, purposely was bid out on a short-term basis so that we can continue to use that as a foundation of the beta testing that's going to go on. The games are still going to be on TV." He added, "That's what you're going to see and so hopefully when we get to the next round of TV deals we'll be smarter to be able to structure things in a way that fans want to consume our games" (CSNNE.com, 12/20).
STATION IDENTIFICATION: The GUARDIAN reports F1 is to move to Channel 4 in the U.K. "for the next three years after the BBC announced it is to 'reluctantly' bring its contract to a premature end as part of its drive for savings." The net will "broadcast 10 live races, including practice and qualifying sessions" from '16-18 (GUARDIAN, 12/22). The GUARDIAN's Mark Sweney notes the "cash-strapped" BBC pulled out of its deal "three years early." Channel 4 has "pledged not to air advertising during live races" (GUARDIAN, 12/22).
SEASON OF CHANGE: In Las Vegas, Bill Bradley reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal is "making some major changes next month." Adam Hill has "moved to become a full-time writer" covering UFC and all MMA for the website the paper has created. Matt Youmans "will become a full-time sports betting writer." Mark Anderson "will become our main basketball writer." Todd Dewey "will take over the UNLV football beat." Ron Kantowski "will take over" coverage of motorsports and will "still write two columns a week." As the NHL "gets closer to granting Las Vegas a franchise, Steve Carp will lead" on league coverage and "creation of the expansion team" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 12/21).
