THE WRAP's Jocelyn Johnson noted OTT service Cheddar has signed a deal with Twitch for a "new eSports news show called 'Cheddar Sports' and a live stream special at TwitchCon" in San Jose on Oct. 27. “Cheddar Sports” starting tomorrow will "deliver news, highlights stories from the world of eSports and gaming to viewers both on Twitch and across Cheddar’s syndication network" (THEWRAP.com, 9/24).
TOO MUCH OF A GOOD THING? USA TODAY's Steven Marrocco writes OTT service DAZN's presence as "another streaming service" airing U.S. combat sports could be "accused of further diluting the MMA market." Another month-to-month subscription player "adds to an increasingly-crowded media landscape that includes UFC Fight Pass and soon ESPN+." DAZN Senior VP/North America Joseph Markowski "defends DAZN's cost as a 'very low incremental add given the value of those offers, and one that comes with complete flexibility to the consumer'" (USA TODAY, 9/26).
LEGEND OF THE HAWK: A Chicago DAILY HERALD editorial states White Sox broadcaster Hawk Harrelson "heads into retirement with a spot secured on the list of legendary Chicago sports broadcasters." Whether fans "love him or hate him," Harrelson was "always fun to listen to, and isn't that what it's all about?" Fans need to "know balls and strikes and how a player mired in a long slump is due for a hit," but they also "want to be entertained." Harrelson "did that" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 9/26).
