In N.Y., Bob Raissman reports the nine televised starts by Mets P Matt Harvey on SNY have averaged a 3.36 local rating in N.Y., up 18% from a 2.85 rating for Harvey’s first nine televised starts last season. Harvey is off to a 3-6 start with a 5.77 ERA, and if he "continues to under-perform, will Harvey keep producing the kind of ratings he has so far?" Or will the casual fan who tunes in "expecting to see Harvey dominate find something else to watch?" Yankees fans, who "revel in such high-profile Mets misery, may even be taking a peek, adding to the eyeball count" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/24).
ARE YOU IN? beIN Sports yesterday formally announced a "wide-ranging deal" with Conference USA that includes "10 men's basketball, 10 women’s basketball, 10 football and 12 baseball games." In Tennessee, Aldo Amato notes the net also will "air 12 softball, 10 men’s soccer and 10 women’s soccer games." This marks the first football deal for beIN Sports, which had been "known for soccer." C-USA "has yet to officially announce the new overall TV deal that also reportedly includes ESPN, CBS Sports Network and the American Sports Network" (Murfreesboro DAILY NEWS JOURNAL, 5/24).
PICKING PRONOUNS: In California, Jim Carlisle writes SportsNet LA analyst Orel Hershiser "refers to the Dodgers as 'we' and it's just not right." Good broadcasters "don't do that," as play-by-play announcer Vin Scully's "trademark for 67 years has been impartiality." The idea that an analyst "gets a free pass to take sides because he works for the team he announces for doesn't wash." No other local MLB analysts "who played for the team they announce for do it" (VENTURA COUNTY STAR, 5/24).
