ESPN has over 200 hours of programming each day built around a live sports calendar that no long existsESPN IMAGES
The coronavirus outbreak has become "especially troublesome for the few dozen sports-only cable channels" that exist, according to Kevin Draper of the N.Y. TIMES. For example, ESPN has nine domestic cable channels, in addition to ESPN+, so it has over 200 hours of programming each day "built specifically around a live sports calendar that no longer exists." The net has been "sending out new schedules a day ahead of time," which "seems about as far out as it is possible to plan for a reality that changes each day, each minute." With "little time to plan alternative programming," most sports networks are "opting for older versions of their originally scheduled programming, borrowing the strategy endemic to ESPN Classic." Even at ESPN, FS1, NBCSN and other networks that try to "persuade viewers to watch programming that isn’t live action, people generally understand the reality" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/17). In N.Y., Greg Joyce notes "helping ESPN fill the void is NFL free agency, which the network is providing special coverage of over the next three afternoons." ESPN also will "air encores of some of its free-agency programs at night." Meanwhile, MLB Network and NHL Network each will continue to air one live program per day, “MLB Tonight” at 6:00pm ET and “NHL Tonight” at 7:00pm. The rest of their schedules for the next week will be "made up of the networks’ documentaries and reruns of original programming" (N.Y. POST, 3/17).
ASK THE FANS: MSG analyst Martin Biron announced on his Twitter page that vintage Sabres games "will be shown on the network and the Sabres' YouTube channel beginning" next Monday. Biron "told fans to reply to the Sabres' post on Twitter with requests for previous games, though he noted that the team and network do not have access to every game since the franchise's inception" in '70. In Buffalo, Lance Lysowski notes broadcasting rights will "prevent the Sabres from airing some games on the network or YouTube" (BUFFALO NEWS, 3/17).
PUT UP OR SHUT UP: S.F.-based KNBR-AM host Brian Murphy said that the coming weeks and months will "reveal which hosts are 'cave men jabberers,'" a term he uses to describe the "stereotypical characterization of his profession, and which ones have game that extends beyond the locker room." Providence-based WPRO-AM host Andy Gresh said, "You’re going to find out the people who have varied interests besides sports. Because if you don’t, you’re in trouble right now.” The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Cohen, Diamond & Beaton note "many in sports radio believe this is actually their time to shine." CBS SPORTS Radio host Ken Carmen said, "If people listen to sports talk radio, they’re going to learn how little we talk about games" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/17). Chicago-based media reporter Robert Feder wrote under the header, "How Chicago Sports Talkers Are Adjusting To World Without Sports" (ROBERTFEDER.com, 3/16). In Syracuse, Mike Waters reports ESPN Radio 1200 Syracuse has "removed most of its local sports talk shows as a result of the coronavirus’ impact on the sports landscape." The shutdown "includes local programming that aired" from 10:00am-3:00pm ET (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 3/17).
