ESPN's Burke Magnus yesterday acknowledged that there are "limitations of what past sporting events it can broadcast" to fill the current programming holes created by the lack of live sports events, according to Pete Grathoff of the K.C. STAR. Magnus, the net's Exec VP/Programming & Scheduling, posted a Q&A on the net's in-house website and wrote, “Re-airing full-game presentations is not a right that we or other media companies typically have at our disposal at all times. Each one of these circumstances requires individual conversations with the specific league or property to determine what’s possible." He added, "We are exploring that possibility for events and content that we don’t have re-air rights already." Grathoff notes one "difficulty for ESPN is the four big professional leagues" in the U.S. -- the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL -- "all have their own networks or channels" (K.C. STAR, 3/18). Magnus outlined two goals for ESPN moving forward: "The immediate future in terms of how we can be as relevant as possible through news and live studio programming in order to frame for sports fans the impact that these unprecedented circumstances are having on the sports world.” He added, "The second goal is aimed at looking ahead to entertain fans through fun, compelling archival content and/or themed and stunt event programming that will provide a diversion at a time that there are virtually no other live sports to watch" (BIRMINGHAM NEWS, 3/18).
RELYING ON NFL NEWS FOR NOW: In L.A., Battaglio & James note ESPN in the immediacy has relied on a "spate of news on free agent signings" after the new NFL CBA was approved on Sunday, as well as the news that Tom Brady is leaving the Patriots and likely signing with the Buccaneers. The net also is "developing programming that doesn't require a full production staff to come to its headquarters and studios in Bristol," as most employees are "working at home." One such example is that viewers are "being asked to vote online to determine the greatest college basketball player of all time -- in a bracket style similar to those used in the canceled NCAA College Basketball tournament." The results will be "presented in a special" airing tomorrow night (L.A. TIMES, 3/18).
OTHER NETS ADDING PROGRAMMING: Fox Sports is bringing back two FS1 studio shows that were put on the shelf during the coronavirus outbreak. Fox Sports will produce “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” (noon-3:00 pm ET) and “Skip and Shannon: Undisputed” (7:00-8:00pm) remotely, rather than on the Fox lot, and in a modified format. FS1 pulled those two shows, along with “First Things First,” “Speak for Yourself” and “Lock It In,” this week amid the CDC’s recommendation for social distancing. Cowherd has continued his radio show, and “Undisputed” yesterday streamed various segments of the show. Meanwhile, NBC Sports is partnering with TVG in a deal that will bring 20 hours of live horse racing to NBCSN over the next two weekends. NBCSN will simulcast TVG's "Trackside Live" this Saturday and Sunday from 4:00-8:00pm, as well as the following Friday-Sunday (March 27-29). The show features live coverage from tracks around the country (Ourand & Mullen, THE DAILY).
WINDY CITY REPLAYS: In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal reports ESPN "hasn’t moved up the scheduled debut of its long-awaited 'The Last Dance'" documentary, as the 10-part film on the Michael Jordan Bulls "isn't finished" yet. Some fans got "excited over the weekend when a promo for 'The Last Dance' was amended, changing a promised June debut with a tag that said, 'Coming Soon'" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/18). Meanwhile, NBC Sports Chicago is going to "run every one" of the Bulls' postseason victories en route to its '96 NBA title. The RSN also will "run 'I’m Back'" at 6:30pm CT, a documentary which "recalls Jordan’s March 18, 1995, fax alerting the team he planned to return from his minor-league baseball sabbatical." The channel and digital platforms also are "rerunning the Blackhawks’ postseason victories" from its '10 Stanley Cup championship run. The replays will be "available only to viewers within NBC Sports Chicago’s designated viewing territory" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/18).
MORE RSN PLANS: FS Midwest will "show replays of Blues games played earlier this season on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights for the foreseeable future." All games will be televised at 6:00 and 8:00pm CT (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 3/18)....MSG Networks will be providing viewers archival replays of some top games featuring the Rangers, Islanders and Devils. There also will be some classic games from back to the '80s (THE DAILY)....FS Sun will replace previously scheduled games "with replays of Heat victories from earlier this season." A condensed 30-minute version of the associated postgame show "will also air following the conclusions of the games" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 3/18)....FS Florida will "replay select Magic victories from this season" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/18)....The Timbers and NWSL Portland Thorns are "trying to find creative ways to keep fans engaged," including broadcasting "notable and historic games from the past" on KPTV-Fox as "part of a series that they are calling, 'PTFC: From the Archives.'" Jake Zivin, Nat Borchers, Jack Jewsbury and others will "give commentary around the games" (Portland OREGONIAN, 3/18).
