In San Diego, Mark Zeigler writes the "biggest loser" so far of the FIFA World Cup is Fox' "unwatchable Red Square pre-game and halftime show with experts whose command of English is so poor they should use subtitles." The net also is dragged down by continually telling viewers games "start an hour earlier than they really do." In some ways, the criticism is "less an indictment of Fox than a compliment to ESPN and NBC for their stellar coverage of previous World Cups and the Premier League, respectively" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 6/29).
GROWING & EVOLVING: ESPN's Matt Vasgersian said that he believes "improvement has come steadily" for the net's "Sunday Night Baseball" crew as it nears the midway mark of the season. Vasgersian said that he and analyst Alex Rodriguez and Jessica Mendoza are "close, but their varying levels of experience have made jelling a 'different process.'" He added he knows there "will be some who dismiss the analysts automatically, no matter how much they improve." However, Vasgersian has been impressed with Rodriguez' "willingness to dig into the minutiae of the last player on the roster and reflect that to the audience" (N.Y. POST, 6/29).
NEW ADDITION: NBC Sports Philadelphia announced that former BTN sideline reporter Taryn Hatcher will join the net as a multi-platform host and reporter. She will officially join the net on July 23. Hatcher will serve as a host and reporter primarily on NBCSportsPhiladelphia.com and fill in on "SportsNet Central" (NBC Sports Philadelphia).
