DIGIDAY's Max Willens noted CBS Sports has "launched a Google Assistant action, a voice-controlled app on Google devices, aimed at fantasy sports fans." The action "helps users choose NFL players as they head into fantasy draft season." Starting in October, CBS Fantasy Sports players will be able to use the action to "get score updates, personalized answers to questions about whether or not to pick up players from the waiver wire and evaluate trades." For fantasy football players, the "ad-supported OTT product CBS Sports HQ on Labor Day will stream a seven-hour fantasy football 'telethon' where viewers can call in with questions about who to draft" (DIGIDAY.com, 8/30).
McFarland's unique field analyst role will be under close watch by viewers and networks alike this yearNEWSDAY
UNCHARTED TERRITORY: In Miami, Barry Jackson writes there is "no greater media mystery this season than what exactly to make of ESPN’s new 'Monday Night Football' announcing booth of Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten and Booger McFarland." It is one thing for a "high-profile announcing team to have one new addition." But having three is "highly unusual and somewhat risky, even more so when the third member of that team -- McFarland -- is assigned not to the booth, but to an unusual 'field analyst' role where he will be unable to have eye contact or nonverbal cues with Tessitore and Witten to know exactly when to speak" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/31).
ADDED DIVERSITY: In Cleveland, Kevin Kleps noted the Browns are "adding Spanish radio broadcasts this season, and a familiar name will be on the call." The Browns are partnering with Murray Hill Broadcasting's WLFM-LP for "game-day broadcasts." Rafael Hernandez-Brito, who has called Cavaliers games on WLFM the last four seasons, "will be the Browns' Spanish play-by-play voice." Hernandez-Brito was the "first broadcaster in the U.S. to call the Super Bowl, NBA Finals and World Series in Spanish." The Browns also announced that Beau Bishop will be the new co-host of Cleveland Browns Daily -- the club's "two-hour afternoon show on WKNR-AM" (CRAINSCLEVELAND.com, 8/29).
