Washington Post sports media reporter Ben Strauss believes broadcast networks and cable sports channels have been dealt an "impossible hand" with the loss of all live sports content, though they have "done about as well as you could hope.” Strauss, appearing on Richard Deitsch's "Sports Media Podcast," said, “Let’s see what’s happening on May 30, but for the moment I think content-wise people have done as well as could expected.” Strauss: “No matter what you come up with content-wise, you’re not filling the money hole of advertising and potentially viewers.” He did predict analysts will "look back at this moment as a time that esports gained a new relevance," led by the number of virtual races being shown by motorsports outlets. Strauss: "It got on the major networks and people watched it more than what was expected. ... It’s going to be a shifting investment in resources from the bigger networks" ("Sports Media Podcast," 4/2).
HIGH SOCIETY: THE ATHLETIC's Ryan Clark noted Altitude TV last week debuted its new show, "Sports Social," a two-hour outlet the network has "used to give its viewers live programming" during the ongoing pandemic. Altitude personalities including Kyle Keefe, Conor McGahey, Chris Dempsey, Vic Lombardi and Katy Winge talk about "subjects that relate to sports but can stray into another conversation." The show is a "live broadcast that is digitally aired" from 11:00am-1:00pm MT. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Vice Chair Josh Kroenke reached out to Colorado Gov. Jared Polis' office about "developing a show that could be used in part for community outreach." Altitude Exec VP, GM & Exec Producer Ken Miller said that the program is "'certainly a sports show' but it wanted to also use its platform to assist causes such as Food Bank of the Rockies or other groups trying to help those in need" (THEATHLETIC.com, 4/6).
DOWN MEMORY LANE: POSTMEDIA NEWS' Todd Saelhof wrote Rogers Media is "opting to fill the hockey void with throwback tilts on its seven Sportsnet channels." Sportsnet will air "seven different NHL Best-of-Seven series, with each of the Canadian clubs represented" (POSTMEDIA NEWS, 4/6). On Long Island, Colin Stephenson noted MSG Network during the first week without NBA or NHL games "rebroadcast games from the current season." The network last week aired Rangers games from '13-14, when the team went to the Stanley Cup Final. MSG Networks Senior VP/Production & Programming and Exec Producer Jeff Filippi said that fans have "requested particular games," and many "want to see replays of the run" to the '94 Stanley Cup. Stephenson noted at some point, Rangers fans also "will see the 1979 playoff win over the Islanders" (NEWSDAY, 4/5).
