The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Natalie Jarvey noted there is "still a question about how much live news and sports will factor" into NBCUniversal's new streaming service. NBCU President & CEO Steve Burke said that live programming will be "part of the mix" on the new service. However, Jarvey wrote the sports piece could "become especially challenging given the restrictive nature of existing rights deals and the risk of cannibalizing existing subscription business" NBC Sports Gold, which "live-streams cycling, figure skating and other top sports" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/16).
THE GREEK EFFECT: In Milwaukee, Rich Kirchen noted the audience for Bucks games on FS Wisconsin "increased" by about 7% over the "first half of the season" compared to the '17-18 campaign. Bucks telecasts "attracted an estimated average of about 22,600 households per game." The "uptick this season is significant but not as big" as the 14% jump from '16-17 to '17-18 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 1/16).
APPOINTMENT VIEWING: In West Palm Beach, Hal Habib noted HBO's upcoming documentary on Pro Football HOFer Nick Buoniconti has Dolphins fans "feeling melancholy over all that football has given the Buoniconti family and all it has taken away." Buoniconti's son, Marc, was paralyzed during a game in '85, and said in the film, "When we were growing up, football gave everything to us. And then look at what it did to me. And now look at what it's doing to him. I mean, do you love the game? Hate the game? Do you love it and hate it?" The special debuts on Feb. 12, and Habib wrote there is "no question" it is "important viewing, coming on the heels of the Super Bowl" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 1/16).
