The ACC Network is set to launch in August '19, but conference Commissioner John Swofford said that it "could take four or five years to reap the channel’s full financial benefits." He declined to publicly discuss financial projections for the network, but the AP's Aaron Beard noted one factor "will be distribution deals" between Disney and cable providers to "carry the channel." Swofford pointed to an October deal between Disney and cable provider Altice USA that "includes the ACC and SEC networks for the New York area as 'a very good start for us, optically as well as practically'" (AP, 8/29).
MOVING UP: In Miami, Barry Jackson noted former NFLer Jonathan Vilma’s TV career "continues to ascend after joining ESPN2" in '16, as he has been promoted to ABC's college football studio this season where he "replaces new 'Monday Night Football' field analyst Booger McFarland." Vilma also will have a "greatly increased presence on 'SportsCenter' and other ESPN programs as part of a new multi-year contract." ESPN VP/College Sports Lee Fitting said Vilma is "incredibly smart and says what he believes," and those traits, "combined with his admirable work ethic ... have developed him into a prominent and respected voice” (MIAMI HERALD, 8/28).
REPLACING A LEGEND: In Seattle, Percy Allen noted Washington radio announcer Tony Castricone on Saturday will make his debut as the "next voice of the Huskies" with the call of UW-Auburn. Castricone replaces Bob Rondeau, who "announced his retirement" in April. Castricone said, "In a world where every game is available on some video platform whether that’s TV or you’re streaming on your iPad, there are many schools where people don’t listen to the radio broadcast. And maybe some people won’t tune in as often as they used to because Bob is not on the play by play anymore, but he has a great reputation and he’s made Huskies fans want to listen to the games on the radio" (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/30).
NOTES: Longtime Indiana radio announcer Joe Smith is returning to "regular IU radio coverage this season" after recovering from a "nearly-fatal fall" in May '17. Smith handles "pregame, halftime and postgame duties on the IU Radio Network for Indiana football and men’s basketball games" (HOOSIERSPORTSREPORT.com, 8/24)....Pitt has "launched a new television series, titled 'Pitt: Beyond the Script,' that will air 25 episodes on AT&T SportsNet through March." The series -- a collaboration between Pittsburgh-based Awesome Films and Pitt Studios -- "will debut" tomorrow night. It is the "first weekly television show Pitt has had in almost 10 years, marking another step" AD Heather Lyke has "taken in her initiative to promote the school" (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 8/29)....Former NFLer LaMont Jordan "will join the Maryland Sports Radio Network this year as a color analyst" for football games. Jordan, UMD's "all-time leading rusher," joins play-by-play voice Johnny Holliday and "replaces Tim Strachan, who stepped down" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/30).
