Cord-cutters "aren’t the only viewers Stadium is targeting" as the digital sports network "wants to be an oasis for fans in search of an alternative to ESPN," according to Jeff Agrest of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Stadium when it launched in '17 "didn’t want to be the fifth coastal sports network, following ESPN, Fox, NBC and CBS." Stadium CEO Jack Coyle said broadcasting from Chicago gives the network a "different editorial lens." He noted Stadium is "not a Midwest sports network, it’s a national sports network." Coyle: "It’s just told from a different perspective with what we like to think is a more objective layer on editorial." Stadium Managing Dir of Corporate Development Andrew Schnell said, "We actually map out our programming grid versus ESPN’s programming grid to make sure that it’s not the same." Agrest notes the network in August "landed an interview" with Courtney Smith, the ex-wife of former Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith, which "increased Stadium’s profile." Though network execs "weren’t celebrating because of the nature of the interview, they were pleased with how the delicate matter was handled." Stadium "raised its profile further two weeks later, announcing the additions of Shams Charania, Jeff Goodman and Brett McMurphy." Coyle said that the network is "looking to capitalize on ESPN’s moving away from news-gathering after its massive layoffs" in '17 (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 10/19).
CONTENT PUSH: Stadium on Thursday announced its new interactive college football pregame show, “Stadium Kickoff Live,” will livestream on Twitter over the next three weekends, beginning Saturday. The show will be hosted by Doug Gottlieb, with former NFLers C.J. Spiller and Eric Wood serving as analysts (Stadium). BROADCASTING & CABLE's Jon Lafayette noted Stadium next Thursday will launch "Fresh Look on Films," which "replays an ACC college football classic hosted by Michael Felder with a studio guest who participated in the game being shown." The show is "sponsored by Wendy’s" and will be "streamed on Twitch." The show "appears on Twitch Thursdays" at 4:00pm ET and guests will include Spiller, former NFLers Anquan Boldin, Devin Hester and Mark Herzlich, and former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer (BROADCASTINGCABLE.com, 10/17).
