Jim Williams: Ten reasons why Baltimore sports fans should care about MASN
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 31, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 8 mins ago)
Current rank: # 9 of 5,642 articles
BALTIMORE - Somehow, I get the felling that Baltimore sports fans are not too excited about the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network coming to Comcast next week. Funny thing is, the new deal with the Baltimore-based regional cable outlet should be a much-anticipated event and, in many ways, is groundbreaking.
Here are 10 reasons why Baltimore sports fans should care about MASN:
1. In 2007, Orioles fans will be able to see the team without any interruption. The recent Comcast deal means that there will be O’s TV next season, and they won’t have to go through the Nationals’ TV mess.
2. The fact that the Orioles are senior partners in this regional sports network means more money to spend on the team. In 2007, both the Orioles and the Nationals will get around $25 million each in local TV money. That is large-market money any way you count it, and it should allow the Orioles to be players in free agency.
3. If this newfound revenue is spent wisely, the Orioles can be competitive for years to come.
4. This being a Baltimore-based regional network will give it a heavy local flair, catering to Charm City sports fans. Not that Comcast didn’t do a great job, but this is a Baltimore network.
5. The Ravens now have a new home on cable. The team can expand their purple-and-black reach into Virginia.
6. More area colleges will get men’s and women’s sports televised the next few years.
7. High schools and youth sports are in line to be highlighted in the not-too-distant distant future. A high school game of the week in a number of sports is part of the network’s plans.
8. Fans now can see American and National League baseball on a regular basis in one place.
9. This is the place where the Blast, and maybe someday soon, a local outdoor soccer team, can have a home.
10. It will give you one more thing to complain to Peter Angelos about.
If MASN is successful and the Orioles benefit from this, Baltimoreans will have something to be proud of. So before anyone writes this off as just an Angelos moneymaker, give it a chance.
After all, this is a huge risk. MASN, like most regional cable networks, is not likely to turn a profit for at least four years. If the Orioles are not successful and no one cares, this network will go away.
But it is very much in Angelos’ interest for this venture be successful. So embrace it as part of Baltimore, at least for a while.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Jim Williams: Who needs to take a hike, Comcast or MASN?
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 29, 2006 5:00 AM (13 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 6,470 articles
WASHINGTON - We told you Monday that Comcast will launch MASN as part of its channel package on Sept. 8 or the ensuing week, depending on your location
The Nationals and Orioles will finally both be on regional cable for years to come, which is great news.
Then we heard of a rate hike Comcast says is due to MASN’s arrival. But the Baltimore-based regional sports network claims the hike is not its fault.
So who is right? In a way, both are.
Orioles owner Peter Angelos started MASN to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays, who all have regional sports networks. To drive up the local TV cash, Angelos wanted his own network.
So where does the money come from?
Mostly from cable companies and satellite services that will pay MASN a monthly programming fee. In this case, Comcast is the key player with nearly 1.6 million subscribers MASN needs to be successful.
Without cable and satellite fees, no regional or national cable network could survive.
Next year, MASN will pay the Nationals around $25 million. The price goes up yearly until it hits around $35 to $38 million per in five to seven years. All monies paid to the Nationals by MASN are guaranteed as per the deal between MASN and Major League Baseball.
Angelos and the Nationals are partners in MASN with the O’s holding an 80-20 edge. But the Nationals’ guaranteed cash is why the Lerner family paid $450 million to buy the team. But whether or not the regional network is a success is in Angelos’ hands.
The $25 million paid to the Nationals puts the team in the top 8 percent of baseball and a clear major-market player. The Orioles want to make the same amount of money next year, which would be a large jump from where they were this season.
In 2007, the expected $25 million the Orioles would have to spend should help them in the AL East race to be sure.
But how about that $2 per month Comcast says MASN brought on them?
Well, you have to factor in the cost of Comcast SportsNet, the ESPN family of networks, TNT, TBS, FSN, SPEED, The Golf Channel, OLN, Fox Soccer Channel, CSTV, Gol TV and a number of smaller sports fees.
We saw with the Emmys that cable networks like Bravo, USA, TNT, FX, BBC America, Discovery and others are producing quality television with costs being passed on to cable and satellite operators. It is a wonder the average monthly cable or satellite bill without HBO or Showtime is not nearly $300.
So is it fair to blame MASN alone for the hike?
No. But if you are a sports nut, fan of the entertainment channels or news, we all pay for the cost of programming we enjoy.
Like it or not, that also means we help subsidize our local pro sports teams through MASN and CSN.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 29, 2006 5:00 AM (13 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 6,470 articles
WASHINGTON - We told you Monday that Comcast will launch MASN as part of its channel package on Sept. 8 or the ensuing week, depending on your location
The Nationals and Orioles will finally both be on regional cable for years to come, which is great news.
Then we heard of a rate hike Comcast says is due to MASN’s arrival. But the Baltimore-based regional sports network claims the hike is not its fault.
So who is right? In a way, both are.
Orioles owner Peter Angelos started MASN to compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays, who all have regional sports networks. To drive up the local TV cash, Angelos wanted his own network.
So where does the money come from?
Mostly from cable companies and satellite services that will pay MASN a monthly programming fee. In this case, Comcast is the key player with nearly 1.6 million subscribers MASN needs to be successful.
Without cable and satellite fees, no regional or national cable network could survive.
Next year, MASN will pay the Nationals around $25 million. The price goes up yearly until it hits around $35 to $38 million per in five to seven years. All monies paid to the Nationals by MASN are guaranteed as per the deal between MASN and Major League Baseball.
Angelos and the Nationals are partners in MASN with the O’s holding an 80-20 edge. But the Nationals’ guaranteed cash is why the Lerner family paid $450 million to buy the team. But whether or not the regional network is a success is in Angelos’ hands.
The $25 million paid to the Nationals puts the team in the top 8 percent of baseball and a clear major-market player. The Orioles want to make the same amount of money next year, which would be a large jump from where they were this season.
In 2007, the expected $25 million the Orioles would have to spend should help them in the AL East race to be sure.
But how about that $2 per month Comcast says MASN brought on them?
Well, you have to factor in the cost of Comcast SportsNet, the ESPN family of networks, TNT, TBS, FSN, SPEED, The Golf Channel, OLN, Fox Soccer Channel, CSTV, Gol TV and a number of smaller sports fees.
We saw with the Emmys that cable networks like Bravo, USA, TNT, FX, BBC America, Discovery and others are producing quality television with costs being passed on to cable and satellite operators. It is a wonder the average monthly cable or satellite bill without HBO or Showtime is not nearly $300.
So is it fair to blame MASN alone for the hike?
No. But if you are a sports nut, fan of the entertainment channels or news, we all pay for the cost of programming we enjoy.
Like it or not, that also means we help subsidize our local pro sports teams through MASN and CSN.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Monday, August 28, 2006
Jim Williams: At long last, Nats have D.C. cable arrival date
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 28, 2006 5:00 AM (8 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 5,991 articles
WASHINGTON - Here is the news Nationals fans have waited almost two years to hear: On Sept. 8, Comcast will broadcast the Nationals against the Colorado Rockies live from Coors Field.
Finally, we will see the first-ever MASN broadcast on Comcast in Washington.
In the week that follows, Comcast will phase in MASN on the vast majority of its systems in the Washington, Baltimore and Salisbury markets.
Much has been said about Comcast during its long dispute with Baltimore-based MASN. But the cable company should be commended for rapidly integrating MASN once the two sides agreed to a deal on Aug. 4.
Getting MASN on Comcast systems that reach nearly 1.6 million subscribers meant moving existing channels as well dealing with complex technical issues. But the cable giant did it in a little over a month. Additionally, Comcast had to provide 30-day notification in areas where channel moves were required.
So now and for years to come Comcast subscribers can watch Nationals and Orioles games on MASN. A Comcast spokesperson told me they are already working on the “overflow issues” so when the teams’ schedule conflicts, beginning in 2007, can be navigated.
The news is critical to marketing plans of the Nationals, whose games now will be seen on a majority of the region’s cable systems. It also pacifies Orioles fans who want to follow the team in 2007.
“Comcast is pleased to have finally negotiated an agreement with MASN to air Washington Nationals games starting in September, along with other sports programming throughout the year,” said Comcast Executive Vice President, David L. Cohen. “Comcast has always supported the return of baseball to the Washington area and we have been unwavering in our desire to carry the games once an agreement could be met that would be fair for customers, the Nationals and fans.
“MASN’s programming is very expensive to distribute — it will cost literally hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade to provide MASN to our 2.2 million cable customers. As we have stated publicly and in official testimony for more than a year, these are costs that ultimately will have to be borne by cable customers. Comcast does not intend to profit from the carriage of this new network, but its significant cost makes it necessary to pass along a price increase to our customers.”
So the multi-million dollar question is: Will Comcast really pay hundreds of millions of dollars in the next decade to MASN?
The answer is “yes” and we will explain later this week. For now, mark your calendar and enjoy the game on a Comcast system near you.
I will watch in D.C.
MASN Channel Locations & Launch Dates
Baltimore/Salisbury DMAs
Launch date
Channel
Annapolis
9/12/06
45
Anne Arundel/Gambrills
9/12/06
52
Baltimore City
9/08/06
62
Baltimore County
9/08/06
64
Calvert County
9/12/06
63
Cambridge, MD (Dorchester Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Carroll County
9/08/06
76
Charles County/Waldorf
9/12/06
41
Elkton (Cecil County)
9/08/06
57
Harford County
9/08/06
61
Howard County
9/08/06
44
Ocean City, MD (Worcester Cty.)
9/08/06
65
Rehoboth, DE (Sussex Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Salisbury, MD (Wicomico Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Washington Metro DMA
Alexandria, VA
9/15/06
62
Arlington, VA
9/11/06
62
City of Manassas, VA
9/11/06
36
Culpepper, VA
9/15/06
52
Fauquier County, VA
9/15/06
34
Frederick/Mt. Airy, MD
9/09/06
66
Hancock, MD
9/15/06
28
Jefferson County/Martinsburg, WV
9/15/06
66
Loudoun County, VA
9/15/06
34
Montgomery County, MD
9/08/06
41
Prince George’s
County, MD
9/08/06
62
Quantico/Eastern
Prince William
9/11/15
46
Reston, VA
9/15/06
72
Sharpsburg/Washington County/Keedysville, MD
9/09/06
66
Spotsylvania/Stafford, VA
9/11/06
34
Washington, DC
9/08/06
42
Western
Prince William County, VA
9/11/06
36
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 28, 2006 5:00 AM (8 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 5,991 articles
WASHINGTON - Here is the news Nationals fans have waited almost two years to hear: On Sept. 8, Comcast will broadcast the Nationals against the Colorado Rockies live from Coors Field.
Finally, we will see the first-ever MASN broadcast on Comcast in Washington.
In the week that follows, Comcast will phase in MASN on the vast majority of its systems in the Washington, Baltimore and Salisbury markets.
Much has been said about Comcast during its long dispute with Baltimore-based MASN. But the cable company should be commended for rapidly integrating MASN once the two sides agreed to a deal on Aug. 4.
Getting MASN on Comcast systems that reach nearly 1.6 million subscribers meant moving existing channels as well dealing with complex technical issues. But the cable giant did it in a little over a month. Additionally, Comcast had to provide 30-day notification in areas where channel moves were required.
So now and for years to come Comcast subscribers can watch Nationals and Orioles games on MASN. A Comcast spokesperson told me they are already working on the “overflow issues” so when the teams’ schedule conflicts, beginning in 2007, can be navigated.
The news is critical to marketing plans of the Nationals, whose games now will be seen on a majority of the region’s cable systems. It also pacifies Orioles fans who want to follow the team in 2007.
“Comcast is pleased to have finally negotiated an agreement with MASN to air Washington Nationals games starting in September, along with other sports programming throughout the year,” said Comcast Executive Vice President, David L. Cohen. “Comcast has always supported the return of baseball to the Washington area and we have been unwavering in our desire to carry the games once an agreement could be met that would be fair for customers, the Nationals and fans.
“MASN’s programming is very expensive to distribute — it will cost literally hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade to provide MASN to our 2.2 million cable customers. As we have stated publicly and in official testimony for more than a year, these are costs that ultimately will have to be borne by cable customers. Comcast does not intend to profit from the carriage of this new network, but its significant cost makes it necessary to pass along a price increase to our customers.”
So the multi-million dollar question is: Will Comcast really pay hundreds of millions of dollars in the next decade to MASN?
The answer is “yes” and we will explain later this week. For now, mark your calendar and enjoy the game on a Comcast system near you.
I will watch in D.C.
MASN Channel Locations & Launch Dates
Baltimore/Salisbury DMAs
Launch date
Channel
Annapolis
9/12/06
45
Anne Arundel/Gambrills
9/12/06
52
Baltimore City
9/08/06
62
Baltimore County
9/08/06
64
Calvert County
9/12/06
63
Cambridge, MD (Dorchester Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Carroll County
9/08/06
76
Charles County/Waldorf
9/12/06
41
Elkton (Cecil County)
9/08/06
57
Harford County
9/08/06
61
Howard County
9/08/06
44
Ocean City, MD (Worcester Cty.)
9/08/06
65
Rehoboth, DE (Sussex Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Salisbury, MD (Wicomico Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Washington Metro DMA
Alexandria, VA
9/15/06
62
Arlington, VA
9/11/06
62
City of Manassas, VA
9/11/06
36
Culpepper, VA
9/15/06
52
Fauquier County, VA
9/15/06
34
Frederick/Mt. Airy, MD
9/09/06
66
Hancock, MD
9/15/06
28
Jefferson County/Martinsburg, WV
9/15/06
66
Loudoun County, VA
9/15/06
34
Montgomery County, MD
9/08/06
41
Prince George’s
County, MD
9/08/06
62
Quantico/Eastern
Prince William
9/11/15
46
Reston, VA
9/15/06
72
Sharpsburg/Washington County/Keedysville, MD
9/09/06
66
Spotsylvania/Stafford, VA
9/11/06
34
Washington, DC
9/08/06
42
Western
Prince William County, VA
9/11/06
36
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams: Comcastic news for Nationals’ fans
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 28, 2006 5:00 AM (8 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 11 of 5,991 articles
BALTIMORE - Here is the news that Nationals’ fans have waited almost two years to hear. On Sept. 8, fans will be able to actually watch the Nationals take on the Colorado Rockies live from Coors Field at 9 p.m. on Comcast channel 42 in Washington, D.C., marking the first-ever Mid-Atlantic Sports Network broadcast on Comcast in Washington.
Between Sept. 8 and 15, Comcast will phase in MASN on the vast majority of their systems in the Baltimore, Washington and Salisbury markets. We have a complete list published with this column, as well as posted on The Examiner Web site.
Much has been said, good and bad, about Comcast in the long dispute the cable company has had with Baltimore-based MASN, but Comcast should be commended for its rapid ability to put the channel on once the two sides agreed to a deal on Aug. 4. Getting MASN on Comcast systems that reach nearly 1.6 million subscribers meant moving existing channels, as well as a number of complex technical issues, but the cable giant did it in just a little over a month, and that is no small task. Additionally, Comcast legally had to provide 30-day notification in areas where channel moves were required.
So now, Comcast subscribers can watch Nationals and Orioles games on MASN. A Comcast spokesperson told me they are already working on the “overflow issues,” so that when the Nationals and Orioles have schedule conflicts starting in 2007, subscribers in the mid-Atlantic area will be able to see both teams.
The news is critical to the future marketing plans of the Nationals, whose games now will be seen on the majority of cable systems in the region, as well as Orioles fans who want to be able to follow the team in 2007.
Putting MASN on Comcast did come at a price to the cable system, though. According to Comcast executive vice president David L. Cohen, “Comcast is pleased to have finally negotiated an agreement with MASN to air Washington Nationals games starting in September, along with other sports programming throughout the year. Comcast has always supported the return of baseball to the Washington area, and we have been unwavering in our desire to carry the games once an agreement could be met that would be fair for customers, the Nationals and fans.
“MASN’s programming is very expensive to distribute — it will cost literally hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade to provide MASN to our 2.2-million cable customers. As we have stated publicly and in official testimony for more than a year, these are costs that ultimately will have to be borne by cable customers. Comcast does not intend to profit from the carriage of this new network, but its significant cost makes it necessary to pass along a price increase to our customers.”
So the multi-million dollar question is: Will Comcast really pay hundreds of millions of dollars in the next decade to MASN? The answer is yes, and we will explain in this space later this week. For now, mark your calendar and enjoy the game.
MASN Channel Locations & Launch Dates
Baltimore/Salisbury DMAs
Launch date
Channel
Annapolis
9/12/06
45
Anne Arundel/Gambrills
9/12/06
52
Baltimore City
9/08/06
62
Baltimore County
9/08/06
64
Calvert County
9/12/06
63
Cambridge, MD (Dorchester Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Carroll County
9/08/06
76
Charles County/Waldorf
9/12/06
41
Elkton (Cecil County)
9/08/06
57
Harford County
9/08/06
61
Howard County
9/08/06
44
Ocean City, MD (Worcester Cty.)
9/08/06
65
Rehoboth, DE (Sussex Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Salisbury, MD (Wicomico Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Washington Metro DMA
Alexandria, VA
9/15/06
62
Arlington, VA
9/11/06
62
City of Manassas, VA
9/11/06
36
Culpepper, VA
9/15/06
52
Fauquier County, VA
9/15/06
34
Frederick/Mt. Airy, MD
9/09/06
66
Hancock, MD
9/15/06
28
Jefferson County/Martinsburg, WV
9/15/06
66
Loudoun County, VA
9/15/06
34
Montgomery County, MD
9/08/06
41
Prince George’s
County, MD
9/08/06
62
Quantico/Eastern
Prince William
9/11/15
46
Reston, VA
9/15/06
72
Sharpsburg/Washington County/Keedysville, MD
9/09/06
66
Spotsylvania/Stafford, VA
9/11/06
34
Washington, DC
9/08/06
42
Western
Prince William County, VA
9/11/06
36
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail him at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 28, 2006 5:00 AM (8 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 11 of 5,991 articles
BALTIMORE - Here is the news that Nationals’ fans have waited almost two years to hear. On Sept. 8, fans will be able to actually watch the Nationals take on the Colorado Rockies live from Coors Field at 9 p.m. on Comcast channel 42 in Washington, D.C., marking the first-ever Mid-Atlantic Sports Network broadcast on Comcast in Washington.
Between Sept. 8 and 15, Comcast will phase in MASN on the vast majority of their systems in the Baltimore, Washington and Salisbury markets. We have a complete list published with this column, as well as posted on The Examiner Web site.
Much has been said, good and bad, about Comcast in the long dispute the cable company has had with Baltimore-based MASN, but Comcast should be commended for its rapid ability to put the channel on once the two sides agreed to a deal on Aug. 4. Getting MASN on Comcast systems that reach nearly 1.6 million subscribers meant moving existing channels, as well as a number of complex technical issues, but the cable giant did it in just a little over a month, and that is no small task. Additionally, Comcast legally had to provide 30-day notification in areas where channel moves were required.
So now, Comcast subscribers can watch Nationals and Orioles games on MASN. A Comcast spokesperson told me they are already working on the “overflow issues,” so that when the Nationals and Orioles have schedule conflicts starting in 2007, subscribers in the mid-Atlantic area will be able to see both teams.
The news is critical to the future marketing plans of the Nationals, whose games now will be seen on the majority of cable systems in the region, as well as Orioles fans who want to be able to follow the team in 2007.
Putting MASN on Comcast did come at a price to the cable system, though. According to Comcast executive vice president David L. Cohen, “Comcast is pleased to have finally negotiated an agreement with MASN to air Washington Nationals games starting in September, along with other sports programming throughout the year. Comcast has always supported the return of baseball to the Washington area, and we have been unwavering in our desire to carry the games once an agreement could be met that would be fair for customers, the Nationals and fans.
“MASN’s programming is very expensive to distribute — it will cost literally hundreds of millions of dollars over the next decade to provide MASN to our 2.2-million cable customers. As we have stated publicly and in official testimony for more than a year, these are costs that ultimately will have to be borne by cable customers. Comcast does not intend to profit from the carriage of this new network, but its significant cost makes it necessary to pass along a price increase to our customers.”
So the multi-million dollar question is: Will Comcast really pay hundreds of millions of dollars in the next decade to MASN? The answer is yes, and we will explain in this space later this week. For now, mark your calendar and enjoy the game.
MASN Channel Locations & Launch Dates
Baltimore/Salisbury DMAs
Launch date
Channel
Annapolis
9/12/06
45
Anne Arundel/Gambrills
9/12/06
52
Baltimore City
9/08/06
62
Baltimore County
9/08/06
64
Calvert County
9/12/06
63
Cambridge, MD (Dorchester Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Carroll County
9/08/06
76
Charles County/Waldorf
9/12/06
41
Elkton (Cecil County)
9/08/06
57
Harford County
9/08/06
61
Howard County
9/08/06
44
Ocean City, MD (Worcester Cty.)
9/08/06
65
Rehoboth, DE (Sussex Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Salisbury, MD (Wicomico Cty.)
9/08/06
33
Washington Metro DMA
Alexandria, VA
9/15/06
62
Arlington, VA
9/11/06
62
City of Manassas, VA
9/11/06
36
Culpepper, VA
9/15/06
52
Fauquier County, VA
9/15/06
34
Frederick/Mt. Airy, MD
9/09/06
66
Hancock, MD
9/15/06
28
Jefferson County/Martinsburg, WV
9/15/06
66
Loudoun County, VA
9/15/06
34
Montgomery County, MD
9/08/06
41
Prince George’s
County, MD
9/08/06
62
Quantico/Eastern
Prince William
9/11/15
46
Reston, VA
9/15/06
72
Sharpsburg/Washington County/Keedysville, MD
9/09/06
66
Spotsylvania/Stafford, VA
9/11/06
34
Washington, DC
9/08/06
42
Western
Prince William County, VA
9/11/06
36
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail him at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Friday, August 25, 2006
Jim Williams: Comcast SportsNet has cable covered
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 25, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 4 mins ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 7,046 articles
WASHINGTON - We have talked a great deal over the past two days about the depth of talent we have covering sports on TV here in Washington.
All four broadcast stations have a different style and do their best in what is a confined time. In most cases they have to battle the weatherman for minutes as the newscast heads to a close.
But the gold standard in Washington for regional cable sports news is clearly Comcast SportsNet.
They have four shows a day starting with “SportsNite” at 6:30 p.m. through “SportsRise” that plays in the morning block daily from 6-9 a.m.
The shows are fast-paced and filled with the type of long-form reporting you just can’t get on the broadcast outlets due to time constraints.
Chick Hernandez, Michael Jenkins and Jill Sorenson are the main anchors while top-notch reporters Brent Harris, Kelli Johnson, Sage Steele, and Russ Thaler all turn out quality work.
CSN cleverly uses the “SportsNite” at 6:30 p.m. as a combo news program-lead in to primetime games of the Wizards, Caps and D.C. United.
Then the 10 p.m. show is often the news plus postgame coverage, a great combo other stations in the Washington-Baltimore market can’t do consistently.
I have seen regional sports network newscasts and far and away CSN has the best of them all, with the best staff of reporters, anchors and technical people in the country.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 25, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 4 mins ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 7,046 articles
WASHINGTON - We have talked a great deal over the past two days about the depth of talent we have covering sports on TV here in Washington.
All four broadcast stations have a different style and do their best in what is a confined time. In most cases they have to battle the weatherman for minutes as the newscast heads to a close.
But the gold standard in Washington for regional cable sports news is clearly Comcast SportsNet.
They have four shows a day starting with “SportsNite” at 6:30 p.m. through “SportsRise” that plays in the morning block daily from 6-9 a.m.
The shows are fast-paced and filled with the type of long-form reporting you just can’t get on the broadcast outlets due to time constraints.
Chick Hernandez, Michael Jenkins and Jill Sorenson are the main anchors while top-notch reporters Brent Harris, Kelli Johnson, Sage Steele, and Russ Thaler all turn out quality work.
CSN cleverly uses the “SportsNite” at 6:30 p.m. as a combo news program-lead in to primetime games of the Wizards, Caps and D.C. United.
Then the 10 p.m. show is often the news plus postgame coverage, a great combo other stations in the Washington-Baltimore market can’t do consistently.
I have seen regional sports network newscasts and far and away CSN has the best of them all, with the best staff of reporters, anchors and technical people in the country.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams: Will Gumbel be fired before season?
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 25, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 9 mins ago)
Current rank: # 4 of 7,046 articles
BALTIMORE - When the NFL Network hired Bryant Gumbel as their play-by-play man for their new eight-game national TV package, they knew he was not going to be a yes man. After all, he was hand-picked by outgoing NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. So Gumbel is set, right?
Well, maybe …
In his final editorial remarks on HBO’s Real Sports, Gumbel said Tagliabue needed to show his successor Roger Goodell “where he keeps Gene Upshaw’s leash,” referring to the NFL Players Association president. Gumbel also said Goodell should remind NFL owners that they’re “making obscene amounts of money.” So after Gumbel attacked the NFLPA and the owners, Tagliabue, Goodell and NFL Network president Steve Bornstein will meet to decide what to do about Gumbel.
I took a look at a column I wrote awhile back when Gumbel got the job. Both he and Bornstein told me that the NFL was not going to stop him from speaking his mind on either Real Sports or on the NFL Network.
Is Gumbel testing the NFL Network to see if he indeed has that freedom of speech? If so, it’s a big gamble and one that may indeed cost him his job before he ever steps into the broadcast booth. Some even question if Gumbel did this to get out of his deal with the NFL.
There is no way that the NFL fires Gumbel. He will be their play by play voice and the face of the network, by keeping him the NFL Network will show that they can take punches from the media and yes even from someone they hired.
My biggest disappointment is how Bryant handled the Gene Upshaw matter. He knows Upshaw and could have had him on the show and debated him face to face. But instead he took the cowards way out and attacks him without allowing Upshaw to defend himself. It was a classless act from someone who is bright, talented and knows better than to play that kind of journalism.
So Bryant Gumbel will stay with the NFL Network but I would love to see him settle things with Upshaw on Real Sports in a face to face manor. After all that would be the fair thing to do.
Monday night madness
It has been two weeks since ESPN launched Monday Night Football, and at last count, more than 200 stories had been written — some good and some bad — about Tony Kornheiser. The New York Times had at least three earlier this week as everyone weighs in on “Mr. Tony.”
The Dallas-New Orleans game set an ESPN record for the networks most watched program ever. That is a bit misleading as the move from ABC to ESPN does not allow for the difference in broadcast vs. cable ratings but that said the numbers will still very good. People are liking what the see with the new MNF crew.
In its 1970s heyday, MNF was a personality-driven show that inspired Tuesday water-cooler banter about Howard Cosell, who managed to become the most loved and hated man in sports during the same year. If TK can master even a tiny bit of that Tuesday-morning buzz, he’ll be around for a very long time. My guess is that Tony will be fine.
Look for MNF on ESPN to set at least 8 to 10 ratings records and once again become Tuesday water cooler chat.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 25, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 9 mins ago)
Current rank: # 4 of 7,046 articles
BALTIMORE - When the NFL Network hired Bryant Gumbel as their play-by-play man for their new eight-game national TV package, they knew he was not going to be a yes man. After all, he was hand-picked by outgoing NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue. So Gumbel is set, right?
Well, maybe …
In his final editorial remarks on HBO’s Real Sports, Gumbel said Tagliabue needed to show his successor Roger Goodell “where he keeps Gene Upshaw’s leash,” referring to the NFL Players Association president. Gumbel also said Goodell should remind NFL owners that they’re “making obscene amounts of money.” So after Gumbel attacked the NFLPA and the owners, Tagliabue, Goodell and NFL Network president Steve Bornstein will meet to decide what to do about Gumbel.
I took a look at a column I wrote awhile back when Gumbel got the job. Both he and Bornstein told me that the NFL was not going to stop him from speaking his mind on either Real Sports or on the NFL Network.
Is Gumbel testing the NFL Network to see if he indeed has that freedom of speech? If so, it’s a big gamble and one that may indeed cost him his job before he ever steps into the broadcast booth. Some even question if Gumbel did this to get out of his deal with the NFL.
There is no way that the NFL fires Gumbel. He will be their play by play voice and the face of the network, by keeping him the NFL Network will show that they can take punches from the media and yes even from someone they hired.
My biggest disappointment is how Bryant handled the Gene Upshaw matter. He knows Upshaw and could have had him on the show and debated him face to face. But instead he took the cowards way out and attacks him without allowing Upshaw to defend himself. It was a classless act from someone who is bright, talented and knows better than to play that kind of journalism.
So Bryant Gumbel will stay with the NFL Network but I would love to see him settle things with Upshaw on Real Sports in a face to face manor. After all that would be the fair thing to do.
Monday night madness
It has been two weeks since ESPN launched Monday Night Football, and at last count, more than 200 stories had been written — some good and some bad — about Tony Kornheiser. The New York Times had at least three earlier this week as everyone weighs in on “Mr. Tony.”
The Dallas-New Orleans game set an ESPN record for the networks most watched program ever. That is a bit misleading as the move from ABC to ESPN does not allow for the difference in broadcast vs. cable ratings but that said the numbers will still very good. People are liking what the see with the new MNF crew.
In its 1970s heyday, MNF was a personality-driven show that inspired Tuesday water-cooler banter about Howard Cosell, who managed to become the most loved and hated man in sports during the same year. If TK can master even a tiny bit of that Tuesday-morning buzz, he’ll be around for a very long time. My guess is that Tony will be fine.
Look for MNF on ESPN to set at least 8 to 10 ratings records and once again become Tuesday water cooler chat.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Jim Williams: The different styles of 7 & 9
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 24, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 14 mins ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 16,270 articles
WASHINGTON - Tim Brant is the local boy done good. ABC 7’s Brant is a Maryland grad and has spent the majority of his long and distinguished broadcasting career here in Washington.
Brant is about to start his 24th year as member of ESPN on ABC (previously known as ABC Sports) calling college football games with a new partner, Dan Fouts. They will do mostly Pac-10 Conference games.
Since Brant returned to ABC 7, the quality of its sportscasts have gone off the charts. Brant is well connected both locally and nationally which gives him an advantage when doing reports from a major site on football game day or courtside as the voice of ACC basketball for Jefferson Pilot Sports.
His sportscasts are home spun with some humor and a real good grasp on both the local and national sports scene.
The suits at ABC 7 made the right choice when they hired Brant. He has not let them — and most of all, the viewers — down.
Brant and ABC 7 have two big specials coming up. One is a college football preview that will look at all the local teams as well as national angles. It will air on Sept. 1 and will feature a rare interview with legendary sportscaster Keith Jackson, Brant’s former partner. Then on Sept. 4, Brant and ABC 7 have an NFL preview special on the docket.
At CBS 9, we have the best-kept secret in Washington in Sports Director Brett Haber.
He gets more on-air time than any of his counterparts and has the total backing of management when he breaks a story — as was the case with the Lerner family’s purchase of the Nationals.
Haber is a smart, savvy journalist who was part of the ESPN class that brought us Keith Olbermann and Craig Kilborn. If you have not seen Haber’s sportscast, it is worth the time.
Haber will be back this season with Brian Mitchell for their Sunday night Redskins show at 11:30 that has become quite popular. The two talk football in a fun, informative fashion and pull no punches.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 24, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 14 mins ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 16,270 articles
WASHINGTON - Tim Brant is the local boy done good. ABC 7’s Brant is a Maryland grad and has spent the majority of his long and distinguished broadcasting career here in Washington.
Brant is about to start his 24th year as member of ESPN on ABC (previously known as ABC Sports) calling college football games with a new partner, Dan Fouts. They will do mostly Pac-10 Conference games.
Since Brant returned to ABC 7, the quality of its sportscasts have gone off the charts. Brant is well connected both locally and nationally which gives him an advantage when doing reports from a major site on football game day or courtside as the voice of ACC basketball for Jefferson Pilot Sports.
His sportscasts are home spun with some humor and a real good grasp on both the local and national sports scene.
The suits at ABC 7 made the right choice when they hired Brant. He has not let them — and most of all, the viewers — down.
Brant and ABC 7 have two big specials coming up. One is a college football preview that will look at all the local teams as well as national angles. It will air on Sept. 1 and will feature a rare interview with legendary sportscaster Keith Jackson, Brant’s former partner. Then on Sept. 4, Brant and ABC 7 have an NFL preview special on the docket.
At CBS 9, we have the best-kept secret in Washington in Sports Director Brett Haber.
He gets more on-air time than any of his counterparts and has the total backing of management when he breaks a story — as was the case with the Lerner family’s purchase of the Nationals.
Haber is a smart, savvy journalist who was part of the ESPN class that brought us Keith Olbermann and Craig Kilborn. If you have not seen Haber’s sportscast, it is worth the time.
Haber will be back this season with Brian Mitchell for their Sunday night Redskins show at 11:30 that has become quite popular. The two talk football in a fun, informative fashion and pull no punches.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams: King George still leads the local pack
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 23, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 28 mins ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 7,450 articles
WASHINGTON - In Washington we have some of the best sports anchors in this country. Each has their strengths and all but one have something in common: They are chasing NBC 4’s George Michael, whose reign as King of D.C. Sports goes on.
Watching Michael work with Sonny Jurgensen and Joe Gibbs on NBC 4’s Monday at 6 p.m. newscast is as good as it gets.
The three are clearly friends and chat not only about the Redskins but NASCAR, Tiger Woods and even the Nationals.
Michael has an ability to draw his partners into the conversation and news anchors Jim Vance and Doreen Gentzler often get in on the act.
Simply put, Michael is the master at mixing sports and entertainment to produce quality television and he has done it consistently for years.
We can once again count on the return of “The Joe Gibbs Show” and “The Redskins Report” to NBC 4 this fall.
We would be remiss if we did not credit Michael for his ability to discover great talent. Lindsay Czarniak and Dan Hellie are solid sports anchors and reporters in their own right and give NBC 4 Washington’s best all around sports team.
At FOX 5, Sports Director Dave Feldman is a talented man who in many ways is the Rodney Dangerfield of the area sports broadcasting scene. He has won three Emmys for Best Sportscaster in Washington.
Despite being part of the largest primetime news block in Washington (10-11:30 p.m.), he is given the same or less time than his competitors at NBC 4, ABC 7 and CBS 9. If the news department would give Feldman at least five minutes in the 10 p.m. block to work with, he could do wonders.
I think Feldman is worthy of the time. His sportscasts are well done and full of content and crisp comment.
We will see plenty of Feldman on Sunday mornings doing the FOX 5 “Redskins Pre Game Show” before FOX’s national show. He will also do his usual Sunday night “Sports Extra” at 11 with more time devoted to all things Redskins.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 23, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 28 mins ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 7,450 articles
WASHINGTON - In Washington we have some of the best sports anchors in this country. Each has their strengths and all but one have something in common: They are chasing NBC 4’s George Michael, whose reign as King of D.C. Sports goes on.
Watching Michael work with Sonny Jurgensen and Joe Gibbs on NBC 4’s Monday at 6 p.m. newscast is as good as it gets.
The three are clearly friends and chat not only about the Redskins but NASCAR, Tiger Woods and even the Nationals.
Michael has an ability to draw his partners into the conversation and news anchors Jim Vance and Doreen Gentzler often get in on the act.
Simply put, Michael is the master at mixing sports and entertainment to produce quality television and he has done it consistently for years.
We can once again count on the return of “The Joe Gibbs Show” and “The Redskins Report” to NBC 4 this fall.
We would be remiss if we did not credit Michael for his ability to discover great talent. Lindsay Czarniak and Dan Hellie are solid sports anchors and reporters in their own right and give NBC 4 Washington’s best all around sports team.
At FOX 5, Sports Director Dave Feldman is a talented man who in many ways is the Rodney Dangerfield of the area sports broadcasting scene. He has won three Emmys for Best Sportscaster in Washington.
Despite being part of the largest primetime news block in Washington (10-11:30 p.m.), he is given the same or less time than his competitors at NBC 4, ABC 7 and CBS 9. If the news department would give Feldman at least five minutes in the 10 p.m. block to work with, he could do wonders.
I think Feldman is worthy of the time. His sportscasts are well done and full of content and crisp comment.
We will see plenty of Feldman on Sunday mornings doing the FOX 5 “Redskins Pre Game Show” before FOX’s national show. He will also do his usual Sunday night “Sports Extra” at 11 with more time devoted to all things Redskins.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Monday, August 21, 2006
Jim Williams: The golden age of football broadcasting?
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 21, 2006 5:00 AM (1 hr 47 mins ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 6,307 articles
WASHINGTON - The 2006 National Football League season will usher in a new era in sports broadcasting with more networks doing more games than ever before.
FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN and the NFL Network will offer broadcasts of the regular season games and a record number of the telecasts will be in high definition.
The ability for fans to see all and hear all the games is at an all time with subscriptions to NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTV and The NFL on SIRIUS satellite radio growing daily.
The NFL is a ratings king in sports and it does not look like it is going away — just continuing to build on its success.
All five NFL outlets have quality prime broadcast teams.
FOX has Joe Buck and Troy Aikman — who have come into their own over the past couple of years, with Buck showing his father’s versatility. CBS has the smooth combo of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms — who are great at letting the game be the centerpiece of their broadcasts. NBC returns to pro football coverage this season with NBC Sunday Night Football and their team of Al Michaels and John Madden is considered by many as the best broadcast team in NFL history.
Two new teams are making their NFL debut. ESPN Monday Night Football’s Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser are now residing in the prime spot in football broadcasting history. By the way people need to give Tony some time to find his way on MNF and he will be fine.
People may forget at the highest point in the history of MNF Howard Cosell was both the most popular and the most hated man at the same time.
Lastly, the NFL Network will have eight games with Byant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth doing the games. Both are outstanding sportscasters and will feature more of a conversational style in their broadcasts.
So fans will have a wide variety of NFL broadcasts to watch this season.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 21, 2006 5:00 AM (1 hr 47 mins ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 6,307 articles
WASHINGTON - The 2006 National Football League season will usher in a new era in sports broadcasting with more networks doing more games than ever before.
FOX, CBS, NBC, ESPN and the NFL Network will offer broadcasts of the regular season games and a record number of the telecasts will be in high definition.
The ability for fans to see all and hear all the games is at an all time with subscriptions to NFL Sunday Ticket on DirecTV and The NFL on SIRIUS satellite radio growing daily.
The NFL is a ratings king in sports and it does not look like it is going away — just continuing to build on its success.
All five NFL outlets have quality prime broadcast teams.
FOX has Joe Buck and Troy Aikman — who have come into their own over the past couple of years, with Buck showing his father’s versatility. CBS has the smooth combo of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms — who are great at letting the game be the centerpiece of their broadcasts. NBC returns to pro football coverage this season with NBC Sunday Night Football and their team of Al Michaels and John Madden is considered by many as the best broadcast team in NFL history.
Two new teams are making their NFL debut. ESPN Monday Night Football’s Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser are now residing in the prime spot in football broadcasting history. By the way people need to give Tony some time to find his way on MNF and he will be fine.
People may forget at the highest point in the history of MNF Howard Cosell was both the most popular and the most hated man at the same time.
Lastly, the NFL Network will have eight games with Byant Gumbel and Cris Collinsworth doing the games. Both are outstanding sportscasters and will feature more of a conversational style in their broadcasts.
So fans will have a wide variety of NFL broadcasts to watch this season.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Jim Williams: A few things you should know …
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 19, 2006 5:00 AM (7 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 4,907 articles
WASHINGTON - A respected broadcast engineer and Redskins fan assures me that Triple X ESPN Redskins Radio can easily be heard at FedEx Field for all games day and night on 92.7 FM. Northeast and Southeast Washington should also be able to hear the games on 92.7 FM.
Fans not going to the game can hear the broadcasts in the western suburbs on Triple X ESPN Redskins Radio 94.3 FM and gameday affiliate 99.9 FM out of Fredrick, Maryland. Those of us who listen on 730 AM, will be fine for 1 p.m. starts, but out of luck for late afternoon and night games.
This is due to an FCC regulation that forces the station to reduce its power from 8,000 watts in the day time to just 45 watts at night and there is nothing that Triple X ESPN can do about that issue.
Nationals fans will recall we had the same issues last season because of the abundance of radio, TV and security communications towers that makes listening to the radio a chore in the northwest and southwest areas of Washington, along with some spots in Alexandria.
The Redskins vs. Jets game is telecast in HD on both CBS 9 and CSN at 8 p.m. Saturday with Mike Patrick and John Riggins handling the action. CBS 9 Sports Director Brett Haber and his team will have a pregame show at 7:30 p.m.
Former Redskins GM Charley Casserly, will join James Brown on The NFL Today on CBS as an “NFL Insider.”
CBS 9 and TNT will be the home this weekend for the PGA Championship.
Saturday on both the FOX Soccer Channel and SIRIUS satellite radio the English Premiership action gets under way for soccer fans. There will be a triple-header Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. and then at 11 a.m Sunday is Chelsea vs. Manchester City.
And don’t forget to set your DVR for Monday …
NBA TV will celebrate the birthday of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain; the basketball great would have been 70. The celebration starts at noon with plenty of interesting programs. The highlight comes at 3 p.m. — Game 4, 1967 Eastern Conference Finals Sixers vs. Celtics. Chamberlain outduels Russell as the Sixers roll over the Celtics, 140-114, on his way to his first NBA title.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 19, 2006 5:00 AM (7 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 4,907 articles
WASHINGTON - A respected broadcast engineer and Redskins fan assures me that Triple X ESPN Redskins Radio can easily be heard at FedEx Field for all games day and night on 92.7 FM. Northeast and Southeast Washington should also be able to hear the games on 92.7 FM.
Fans not going to the game can hear the broadcasts in the western suburbs on Triple X ESPN Redskins Radio 94.3 FM and gameday affiliate 99.9 FM out of Fredrick, Maryland. Those of us who listen on 730 AM, will be fine for 1 p.m. starts, but out of luck for late afternoon and night games.
This is due to an FCC regulation that forces the station to reduce its power from 8,000 watts in the day time to just 45 watts at night and there is nothing that Triple X ESPN can do about that issue.
Nationals fans will recall we had the same issues last season because of the abundance of radio, TV and security communications towers that makes listening to the radio a chore in the northwest and southwest areas of Washington, along with some spots in Alexandria.
The Redskins vs. Jets game is telecast in HD on both CBS 9 and CSN at 8 p.m. Saturday with Mike Patrick and John Riggins handling the action. CBS 9 Sports Director Brett Haber and his team will have a pregame show at 7:30 p.m.
Former Redskins GM Charley Casserly, will join James Brown on The NFL Today on CBS as an “NFL Insider.”
CBS 9 and TNT will be the home this weekend for the PGA Championship.
Saturday on both the FOX Soccer Channel and SIRIUS satellite radio the English Premiership action gets under way for soccer fans. There will be a triple-header Saturday, starting at 10 a.m. and then at 11 a.m Sunday is Chelsea vs. Manchester City.
And don’t forget to set your DVR for Monday …
NBA TV will celebrate the birthday of NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain; the basketball great would have been 70. The celebration starts at noon with plenty of interesting programs. The highlight comes at 3 p.m. — Game 4, 1967 Eastern Conference Finals Sixers vs. Celtics. Chamberlain outduels Russell as the Sixers roll over the Celtics, 140-114, on his way to his first NBA title.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Jim Williams: A full slate of sports on the tube, radio this week
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 16, 2006 5:00 AM (3 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 5,896 articles
BALTIMORE - The WBAL/98 Rock crew of Gerry Sandusky, Stan White and Rob Burnett got off to a solid start as the new Ravens broadcast team during Baltimore’s first preseason game against the Giants. University of Maryland men’s basketball coach Gary Williams as the guest sideline reporter was very good; he clearly has a future broadcasting career after a few more national titles in College Park. I must admit that I was skeptical about the sideline reporter, but if WBAL/98 Rock can keep the quality high and the gimmickry low, they’ll have a winner.
Thursday is a Baltimore sports fan’s dream — a full day of sports action starting with the Orioles facing the Yankees in the Bronx at 12:30 p.m. Right after the game, around 5:30, fans can shift into football mode to get ready for the Ravens-Eagles preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium.
Once again, WBAL and 98 Rock will have different pre-game shows — WBAL for the hard-core fan and 98 Rock mixing football, music and fun. So fans can pick their favorite style. The kickoff is 8 p.m., and WBAL/98 Rock will have the action radio-wise.
On TV, FOX 45 sports director Bruce Cunningham will host Ravens Pre-game at 7:30 p.m. At 8, FOX 45 in Baltimore and MASN has the game action, with Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa handling the telecast.
WJZ 13 and TNT will be the home this weekend for the PGA Championship. TNT will carry the early rounds with bonus early Saturday and Sunday morning coverage. WJZ will have all the prime coverage on the weekend from Medina Country Club in Medina, Ill.
Saturday on both FOX Soccer Channel and SIRIUS satellite radio, the English Premiership action gets underway for soccer fans. There will be a triple-header Saturday starting at 10 a.m., followed by Chelsea vs. Manchester City on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Finally, FOX NFL Sunday has a brand new host. Joe Buck will handle the dual role of lead play-by-play man while also replacing James Brown. Buck will join the team of Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson in the studio.
The show will travel each week to the game site and do the program from the stadium parking lot. Also, Curt Menefee will handle the FOX NFL Sunday’s halftime and post-game duties on site with Bradshaw, Long and Johnson. The first show will air Sept. 10. They will do studio shows from Los Angeles. Curt Menefee subs in for three Sundays in October while Joe Buck works the World Series.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 16, 2006 5:00 AM (3 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 5,896 articles
BALTIMORE - The WBAL/98 Rock crew of Gerry Sandusky, Stan White and Rob Burnett got off to a solid start as the new Ravens broadcast team during Baltimore’s first preseason game against the Giants. University of Maryland men’s basketball coach Gary Williams as the guest sideline reporter was very good; he clearly has a future broadcasting career after a few more national titles in College Park. I must admit that I was skeptical about the sideline reporter, but if WBAL/98 Rock can keep the quality high and the gimmickry low, they’ll have a winner.
Thursday is a Baltimore sports fan’s dream — a full day of sports action starting with the Orioles facing the Yankees in the Bronx at 12:30 p.m. Right after the game, around 5:30, fans can shift into football mode to get ready for the Ravens-Eagles preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium.
Once again, WBAL and 98 Rock will have different pre-game shows — WBAL for the hard-core fan and 98 Rock mixing football, music and fun. So fans can pick their favorite style. The kickoff is 8 p.m., and WBAL/98 Rock will have the action radio-wise.
On TV, FOX 45 sports director Bruce Cunningham will host Ravens Pre-game at 7:30 p.m. At 8, FOX 45 in Baltimore and MASN has the game action, with Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa handling the telecast.
WJZ 13 and TNT will be the home this weekend for the PGA Championship. TNT will carry the early rounds with bonus early Saturday and Sunday morning coverage. WJZ will have all the prime coverage on the weekend from Medina Country Club in Medina, Ill.
Saturday on both FOX Soccer Channel and SIRIUS satellite radio, the English Premiership action gets underway for soccer fans. There will be a triple-header Saturday starting at 10 a.m., followed by Chelsea vs. Manchester City on Sunday at 11 a.m.
Finally, FOX NFL Sunday has a brand new host. Joe Buck will handle the dual role of lead play-by-play man while also replacing James Brown. Buck will join the team of Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson in the studio.
The show will travel each week to the game site and do the program from the stadium parking lot. Also, Curt Menefee will handle the FOX NFL Sunday’s halftime and post-game duties on site with Bradshaw, Long and Johnson. The first show will air Sept. 10. They will do studio shows from Los Angeles. Curt Menefee subs in for three Sundays in October while Joe Buck works the World Series.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Monday, August 14, 2006
Jim Williams: Monday Night Football has a real D.C. feel
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 14, 2006 5:00 AM (7 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 7,640 articles
WASHINGTON - Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser have had three practice sessions getting ready for their Monday Night Football telecast and all three dry runs have come here in the Washington/Baltimore area.
The new MNF team worked on their chemistry at Atlantic Video’s studios here in Washington where ESPN produces a number of shows including Pardon The Interruption.
The final practice session came Friday night in Baltimore where the trio did a mock telecast of the Ravens-Giants game.
So how is it coming?
Last week during a conference call with the trio, I heard plenty of back and forth that gives me a very good feeling about this version of MNF.
Not since the days of Frank Gifford, “Dandy” Don Meredith and Howard Cosell has there been a more entertaining trio in the Monday Night Football booth.
Tirico, Theismann and Kornheiser will bring fans a very good conversational style that should return the show to its roots. When MNF was first on the air in the 1970s it appealed to both the hard core fan as well as the casual fan. There was enough X and O’s talk to make true football fans happy but the banter between Gifford, Meredith and Cosell is what most people talked about on Tuesday mornings.
The new team will try to capture that magic in their own way and we will be talking about MNF on Tuesday’s again for the entertainment factor as well as the game.
I will be writing more about the changes to MNF before their Sept. 11 debut here in Washington but you can checkout the preseason version tonight at 8 when the Raiders take on the Vikings at the Metrodome.
ABC Sports is gone, time to welcome ESPN on ABC
As of Sept. 2, ABC Sports will be gone. The new name will be ESPN on ABC and it will allow the ESPN brand to be aired on the parent network.
ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer told me via conference call: “This evolutionary step reflects the extraordinary relationship ESPN has with today’s sports fans and the dynamic changes in how sports are consumed. ESPN has been infused with ABC Sports’ history of innovation, and we are committed to building upon that legacy as we continue to serve fans and our partners more effectively through ESPN on ABC.”
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 14, 2006 5:00 AM (7 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 7,640 articles
WASHINGTON - Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser have had three practice sessions getting ready for their Monday Night Football telecast and all three dry runs have come here in the Washington/Baltimore area.
The new MNF team worked on their chemistry at Atlantic Video’s studios here in Washington where ESPN produces a number of shows including Pardon The Interruption.
The final practice session came Friday night in Baltimore where the trio did a mock telecast of the Ravens-Giants game.
So how is it coming?
Last week during a conference call with the trio, I heard plenty of back and forth that gives me a very good feeling about this version of MNF.
Not since the days of Frank Gifford, “Dandy” Don Meredith and Howard Cosell has there been a more entertaining trio in the Monday Night Football booth.
Tirico, Theismann and Kornheiser will bring fans a very good conversational style that should return the show to its roots. When MNF was first on the air in the 1970s it appealed to both the hard core fan as well as the casual fan. There was enough X and O’s talk to make true football fans happy but the banter between Gifford, Meredith and Cosell is what most people talked about on Tuesday mornings.
The new team will try to capture that magic in their own way and we will be talking about MNF on Tuesday’s again for the entertainment factor as well as the game.
I will be writing more about the changes to MNF before their Sept. 11 debut here in Washington but you can checkout the preseason version tonight at 8 when the Raiders take on the Vikings at the Metrodome.
ABC Sports is gone, time to welcome ESPN on ABC
As of Sept. 2, ABC Sports will be gone. The new name will be ESPN on ABC and it will allow the ESPN brand to be aired on the parent network.
ABC Sports President George Bodenheimer told me via conference call: “This evolutionary step reflects the extraordinary relationship ESPN has with today’s sports fans and the dynamic changes in how sports are consumed. ESPN has been infused with ABC Sports’ history of innovation, and we are committed to building upon that legacy as we continue to serve fans and our partners more effectively through ESPN on ABC.”
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Friday, August 11, 2006
Jim Williams: NFL preseason ready for liftoff
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 11, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 28 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 7,741 articles
WASHINGTON - Preseason is not just a time for NFL players to get ready. It’s also a time for fans to begin fine-tuning their remote control proficiency because this weekend features a full plate of football.
The Redskins will be in Cincinnati Sunday night for a national TV game on NBC 4 at 8.
The new NBC Sunday Night Football crew of Al Michaels, John Madden and Andrea Kremer will be on hand to call the action.
Meanwhile, Triple X ESPN Radio will make its debut as the Redskins radio flagship. Larry Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, and Sam Huff will handle the broadcast with a four-hour pregame show beginning at 4 p.m. It kicks off with Michael doing a show called “Redskins Game Plan.”
Then at 5 p.m., Kevin Sheehan and Bram Weinstein anchor the live pregame show. The duo will also handle postgame coverage.
Across town, Sports Talk 980-AM has its award-winning Tailgate Show at 5 p.m. with Scott Linn and the entire team. The station has no plans for postgame coverage during the preseason but Redskins beat reporter Jerry Coleman will be in Cincinnati following the team for the pregame show and will also do reports for the station’s updates and local shows come Monday morning.
Lots more to come when the season begins.
On another front, I need your help. Much has been said about the lack of a strong signal provided by Triple X ESPN. Listen to the pregame show and game broadcast and e-mail me at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com to let me know how it went.
NFL Network is loaded
Beginning this weekend, the NFL Network will air 52 preseason games.
Some of the highlights will be the first-ever game at the Cardinals’ new stadium. Arizona hosts the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers on Saturday at 4 p.m.
You can also catch the Cowboys-Seahawks game Sunday at 5 p.m. The NFL Network’s weekend lineup is packed and you can get the entire schedule at www.nfl.com/nflnetwork.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 11, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 28 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 7,741 articles
WASHINGTON - Preseason is not just a time for NFL players to get ready. It’s also a time for fans to begin fine-tuning their remote control proficiency because this weekend features a full plate of football.
The Redskins will be in Cincinnati Sunday night for a national TV game on NBC 4 at 8.
The new NBC Sunday Night Football crew of Al Michaels, John Madden and Andrea Kremer will be on hand to call the action.
Meanwhile, Triple X ESPN Radio will make its debut as the Redskins radio flagship. Larry Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, and Sam Huff will handle the broadcast with a four-hour pregame show beginning at 4 p.m. It kicks off with Michael doing a show called “Redskins Game Plan.”
Then at 5 p.m., Kevin Sheehan and Bram Weinstein anchor the live pregame show. The duo will also handle postgame coverage.
Across town, Sports Talk 980-AM has its award-winning Tailgate Show at 5 p.m. with Scott Linn and the entire team. The station has no plans for postgame coverage during the preseason but Redskins beat reporter Jerry Coleman will be in Cincinnati following the team for the pregame show and will also do reports for the station’s updates and local shows come Monday morning.
Lots more to come when the season begins.
On another front, I need your help. Much has been said about the lack of a strong signal provided by Triple X ESPN. Listen to the pregame show and game broadcast and e-mail me at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com to let me know how it went.
NFL Network is loaded
Beginning this weekend, the NFL Network will air 52 preseason games.
Some of the highlights will be the first-ever game at the Cardinals’ new stadium. Arizona hosts the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers on Saturday at 4 p.m.
You can also catch the Cowboys-Seahawks game Sunday at 5 p.m. The NFL Network’s weekend lineup is packed and you can get the entire schedule at www.nfl.com/nflnetwork.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Jim Williams: Two homes better than one for Ravens fans?
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 10, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 4 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 5,943 articles
BALTIMORE - OK, let’s start with Friday’s NFL preseason opener when the Ravens host the Giants. The game will be seen on FOX 45 at 8 p.m. The broadcast crew will be Dick Stockton, Daryl “Moose” Johnston and former Ravens star Tony Siragusa.
FOX 45 is the exclusive preseason broadcast home of the Ravens. Meanwhile, a recent deal means that the same games you will see on FOX 45 can also be seen on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), which is the new exclusive cable home of the team.
How can FOX 45 and MASN both be the exclusive home of the Ravens preseason games?
First of all, the preseason games belong to the team and can be aired anywhere the team wishes unless CBS, NBC, FOX or ESPN wants to air a Ravens preseason game nationally. As for MASN, it will produce special Ravens programs that you can only see on the new cable network; therefore they can say that they are the exclusive cable home of the Ravens.
(Interesting aside: The ESPN Monday Night Football broadcast crew of Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser will do an off-air final dress rehearsal at the Ravens-Giants game before their first telecast Monday night in Minnesota.)
Once the season begins, the AFC rights belong to CBS, so you will see most of the games on WJZ-13. As of now, a dozen telecasts are scheduled for CBS/WJZ. Two games — the Carolina game on Oct. 15 and the Falcons on Nov. 19 — are controlled by visiting NFC teams and FOX owns the NFC rights. Ravens fans can see those games on FOX 45.
We add to the mix the Oct. 9 Monday Night Football game from Denver on ESPN and the Nov. 30 Thursday night game home game against the Bengals that will be seen on the NFL Network. Both of those games will also be seen locally on WMAR TV 2 because the league sells nationally broadcast cable telecasts to local home market TV stations.
Let’s add to this entire mix that starting the week of Nov. 12, the new “flexible scheduling” begins. That means the NFL can change any game played after that date to Sunday night to be aired on the new NBC Sunday Night Football game of the week, and all of the 16 regular-season telecasts can be seen on WBAL TV 11.
Check The Examiner and we’ll tell you where to catch the game every week.
This week, you need to know that WBAL 1090 AM and 98 Rock/WIYY-FM will both have pregame shows starting at 5 p.m. At 8 p.m., the Orioles-Red Sox game will be on WBAL and the Ravens-Giants game will be on 98 Rock. You can hear the new Ravens broadcast team of Gerry Sandusky, Rob Burnett and Stan White.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 10, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 4 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 5,943 articles
BALTIMORE - OK, let’s start with Friday’s NFL preseason opener when the Ravens host the Giants. The game will be seen on FOX 45 at 8 p.m. The broadcast crew will be Dick Stockton, Daryl “Moose” Johnston and former Ravens star Tony Siragusa.
FOX 45 is the exclusive preseason broadcast home of the Ravens. Meanwhile, a recent deal means that the same games you will see on FOX 45 can also be seen on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), which is the new exclusive cable home of the team.
How can FOX 45 and MASN both be the exclusive home of the Ravens preseason games?
First of all, the preseason games belong to the team and can be aired anywhere the team wishes unless CBS, NBC, FOX or ESPN wants to air a Ravens preseason game nationally. As for MASN, it will produce special Ravens programs that you can only see on the new cable network; therefore they can say that they are the exclusive cable home of the Ravens.
(Interesting aside: The ESPN Monday Night Football broadcast crew of Mike Tirico, Joe Theismann and Tony Kornheiser will do an off-air final dress rehearsal at the Ravens-Giants game before their first telecast Monday night in Minnesota.)
Once the season begins, the AFC rights belong to CBS, so you will see most of the games on WJZ-13. As of now, a dozen telecasts are scheduled for CBS/WJZ. Two games — the Carolina game on Oct. 15 and the Falcons on Nov. 19 — are controlled by visiting NFC teams and FOX owns the NFC rights. Ravens fans can see those games on FOX 45.
We add to the mix the Oct. 9 Monday Night Football game from Denver on ESPN and the Nov. 30 Thursday night game home game against the Bengals that will be seen on the NFL Network. Both of those games will also be seen locally on WMAR TV 2 because the league sells nationally broadcast cable telecasts to local home market TV stations.
Let’s add to this entire mix that starting the week of Nov. 12, the new “flexible scheduling” begins. That means the NFL can change any game played after that date to Sunday night to be aired on the new NBC Sunday Night Football game of the week, and all of the 16 regular-season telecasts can be seen on WBAL TV 11.
Check The Examiner and we’ll tell you where to catch the game every week.
This week, you need to know that WBAL 1090 AM and 98 Rock/WIYY-FM will both have pregame shows starting at 5 p.m. At 8 p.m., the Orioles-Red Sox game will be on WBAL and the Ravens-Giants game will be on 98 Rock. You can hear the new Ravens broadcast team of Gerry Sandusky, Rob Burnett and Stan White.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Jim Williams: MASN, CSN to battle for United’s TV rights
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 9, 2006 5:00 AM (3 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 8,707 articles
WASHINGTON - D.C. United takes on Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in Seattle on Comcast SportsNet tonight at 11.
United preferred to play the “friendly” in the Washington/Baltimore area but it could not be arranged. So the team worked closely with CSN to make sure its ardent fans could stay up late and catch all the action.
United will be heavily courted by both CSN and MASN when its current TV contract with United runs out at the end of 2006. United will be the first major pro franchise in town whose cable contract comes up for grabs since the landscape changed and we now have two local cable sports networks.
In 2007, United will be featured at least a dozen times as part of MLS’s new multi-network package:
» Five games on ESPN2/ABC as part of their new primetime Thursday night broadcasts.
» Five games on Fox Soccer Channel’s new primetime Saturday night package.
» At least two games on HDNET (Mark Cuban’s HDTV Network).
» At least two games on the Univision’s new Sunday night primetime Spanish broadcasts.
That leaves at least 20 local games for CSN and MASN to fight over. Scoring MLS’s most successful soccer franchise would be a coup for MASN and the network does want to add to its Washington-area properties.
As for CSN, it has a long history with United and made the team a major part of its professional sports programming along with the Wizards and the Caps.
Right now MASN is the home to Major League Baseball in the Mid Atlantic region and CSN has the NBA, NHL, MLS and ACC.
Besides the TV battles, radio play is also up for grabs.
Look for the Nationals, United, Caps, and major college teams in the area to find homes on either SportsTalk 980-AM WTEM, Triple X ESPN or WTWP as the fight to secure the best local sports programming is fought on both the video and audio fronts.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 9, 2006 5:00 AM (3 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 3 of 8,707 articles
WASHINGTON - D.C. United takes on Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in Seattle on Comcast SportsNet tonight at 11.
United preferred to play the “friendly” in the Washington/Baltimore area but it could not be arranged. So the team worked closely with CSN to make sure its ardent fans could stay up late and catch all the action.
United will be heavily courted by both CSN and MASN when its current TV contract with United runs out at the end of 2006. United will be the first major pro franchise in town whose cable contract comes up for grabs since the landscape changed and we now have two local cable sports networks.
In 2007, United will be featured at least a dozen times as part of MLS’s new multi-network package:
» Five games on ESPN2/ABC as part of their new primetime Thursday night broadcasts.
» Five games on Fox Soccer Channel’s new primetime Saturday night package.
» At least two games on HDNET (Mark Cuban’s HDTV Network).
» At least two games on the Univision’s new Sunday night primetime Spanish broadcasts.
That leaves at least 20 local games for CSN and MASN to fight over. Scoring MLS’s most successful soccer franchise would be a coup for MASN and the network does want to add to its Washington-area properties.
As for CSN, it has a long history with United and made the team a major part of its professional sports programming along with the Wizards and the Caps.
Right now MASN is the home to Major League Baseball in the Mid Atlantic region and CSN has the NBA, NHL, MLS and ACC.
Besides the TV battles, radio play is also up for grabs.
Look for the Nationals, United, Caps, and major college teams in the area to find homes on either SportsTalk 980-AM WTEM, Triple X ESPN or WTWP as the fight to secure the best local sports programming is fought on both the video and audio fronts.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams: O’s on the trade market: What’s the deal?
(Aug 8, 2006 5:00 AM (1 day ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 8,306 articles
BALTIMORE - The Orioles were one of the most active teams in baseball during the trading period last week, but when the clock struck 4 p.m. at the non-waiver trade deadline last Monday, they had made no deals.
Shortstop Miguel Tejada was clearly one of the top prizes of the trade season, and for a week, his name came up often in some potential blockbuster deals. Yet, he is still in an Orioles uniform. In fact, the only move the Orioles made was to ship disgruntled catcher Javy Lopez to the Red Sox late last week.
I spoke to ESPN’s Steve Phillips, himself a former general manager for the Mets, to get some insight as to why Baltimore did not make a trade.
Jim Williams: There were at least four deals that seemed to be good deals for the Birds. Why did nothing happen?
Steve Phillips: Let’s start with Houston. They were willing to trade a Cy Young-quality pitcher in Roy Oswalt, a solid young shortstop, Adam Everett, and a stud third baseman, Morgan Ensberg, to the O’s for Tejada. I am telling you, that’s a trade that would have improved the Orioles for years to come and a trade that most teams would have made in a heartbeat. I have no idea why Baltimore passed that deal up. I mean, you need starting pitching, and Oswalt would be the No. 1 guy on the Orioles right now, and if you do not want to sign him long-term after his contract is up in 2007, you can trade him for some quality young talent. That is a deal that should have been done.
JW: What about the Angels?
SP: The Angels offered Ervin Santana, a young arm that is perfect fit for Baltimore. Plus, shortstop prospect Erick Aybar looks like a real can’t-miss kid. Again, I have no idea why the Orioles passed that one either. It did not make sense. Either the Astros or Angels deal, seems to me, would have been great deals, and either could have improved the Orioles.
JW: Why is it so tough to make a deal with Baltimore?
SP: Time. You really have to be patient, and they want medical information on everyone. Other teams make decisions quickly, or at least you know where they stand. But my guess is it’s the owner killing deals more than the baseball people killing the deals. To be a winner, you have to trust your baseball people, and I am not sure Peter Angelos does.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
(Aug 8, 2006 5:00 AM (1 day ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 8,306 articles
BALTIMORE - The Orioles were one of the most active teams in baseball during the trading period last week, but when the clock struck 4 p.m. at the non-waiver trade deadline last Monday, they had made no deals.
Shortstop Miguel Tejada was clearly one of the top prizes of the trade season, and for a week, his name came up often in some potential blockbuster deals. Yet, he is still in an Orioles uniform. In fact, the only move the Orioles made was to ship disgruntled catcher Javy Lopez to the Red Sox late last week.
I spoke to ESPN’s Steve Phillips, himself a former general manager for the Mets, to get some insight as to why Baltimore did not make a trade.
Jim Williams: There were at least four deals that seemed to be good deals for the Birds. Why did nothing happen?
Steve Phillips: Let’s start with Houston. They were willing to trade a Cy Young-quality pitcher in Roy Oswalt, a solid young shortstop, Adam Everett, and a stud third baseman, Morgan Ensberg, to the O’s for Tejada. I am telling you, that’s a trade that would have improved the Orioles for years to come and a trade that most teams would have made in a heartbeat. I have no idea why Baltimore passed that deal up. I mean, you need starting pitching, and Oswalt would be the No. 1 guy on the Orioles right now, and if you do not want to sign him long-term after his contract is up in 2007, you can trade him for some quality young talent. That is a deal that should have been done.
JW: What about the Angels?
SP: The Angels offered Ervin Santana, a young arm that is perfect fit for Baltimore. Plus, shortstop prospect Erick Aybar looks like a real can’t-miss kid. Again, I have no idea why the Orioles passed that one either. It did not make sense. Either the Astros or Angels deal, seems to me, would have been great deals, and either could have improved the Orioles.
JW: Why is it so tough to make a deal with Baltimore?
SP: Time. You really have to be patient, and they want medical information on everyone. Other teams make decisions quickly, or at least you know where they stand. But my guess is it’s the owner killing deals more than the baseball people killing the deals. To be a winner, you have to trust your baseball people, and I am not sure Peter Angelos does.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Monday, August 07, 2006
Jim Williams: Balanced cable diet begins soon
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 7, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 40 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 6,152 articles
WASHINGTON - Mark your calendar for the first week of September. As we learned Friday, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network — hence, your Washington Nationals — will debut on Comcast.
Washington’s cable future is now secure for years to come. The Nats’ all-important TV marketing efforts will be year-round, which is great news for the team and its fans.
Comcast and MASN’s deal means 1.6 million subscribers in the Washington area, Baltimore and Salisbury will have access to the Baltimore-based network.
In 2007, MASN will produce over 300 Nationals and Orioles telecasts making them the exclusive home for Major League Baseball in the Mid Atlantic area. MASN will provide equal coverage and distribution of both teams assuring the same number of games throughout the region. That means you’ll see the Nats in Baltimore and the O’s in Washington.
Do not be surprised if some MASN produced baseball games show up on Comcast SportsNet because of channel capacity issues and scheduling conflicts.
Here’s what you will see on both networks:
» CSN is the official cable home of the Redskins. A new deal signed last week makes MASN the Ravens’ official cable home.
» Both will have lots of college sports featuring local and national conferences of interest.
» Last week, CSN cut a long-term deal with the ACC so we will be able to see all men’s and women’s sports starting this fall. It also airs Fox Sports Net content.
» Meanwhile, MASN signed a deal with ESPN Regional TV so it will be broadcasting games from the Big East (Georgetown and West Virginia), Big Ten, WAC, MAC and Sun Belt conferences.
» CSN has the Wizards, Caps and D.C United signed to long-term deals. The winter will mean lots of pro sports on CSN while MASN will focus on massive coverage of local and national college sports.
» Minor league baseball from Richmond, Norfolk, and Bowie could show up on CSN.
The point is this region is big enough for two cable networks. In the end the fans are the real winners. I just wish the victory was already a year old.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 7, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 40 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 6,152 articles
WASHINGTON - Mark your calendar for the first week of September. As we learned Friday, the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network — hence, your Washington Nationals — will debut on Comcast.
Washington’s cable future is now secure for years to come. The Nats’ all-important TV marketing efforts will be year-round, which is great news for the team and its fans.
Comcast and MASN’s deal means 1.6 million subscribers in the Washington area, Baltimore and Salisbury will have access to the Baltimore-based network.
In 2007, MASN will produce over 300 Nationals and Orioles telecasts making them the exclusive home for Major League Baseball in the Mid Atlantic area. MASN will provide equal coverage and distribution of both teams assuring the same number of games throughout the region. That means you’ll see the Nats in Baltimore and the O’s in Washington.
Do not be surprised if some MASN produced baseball games show up on Comcast SportsNet because of channel capacity issues and scheduling conflicts.
Here’s what you will see on both networks:
» CSN is the official cable home of the Redskins. A new deal signed last week makes MASN the Ravens’ official cable home.
» Both will have lots of college sports featuring local and national conferences of interest.
» Last week, CSN cut a long-term deal with the ACC so we will be able to see all men’s and women’s sports starting this fall. It also airs Fox Sports Net content.
» Meanwhile, MASN signed a deal with ESPN Regional TV so it will be broadcasting games from the Big East (Georgetown and West Virginia), Big Ten, WAC, MAC and Sun Belt conferences.
» CSN has the Wizards, Caps and D.C United signed to long-term deals. The winter will mean lots of pro sports on CSN while MASN will focus on massive coverage of local and national college sports.
» Minor league baseball from Richmond, Norfolk, and Bowie could show up on CSN.
The point is this region is big enough for two cable networks. In the end the fans are the real winners. I just wish the victory was already a year old.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Jim Williams: Madden, Michaels prepare for Hall of Fame weekend
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 5, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 4,812 articles
WASHINGTON - This is a special weekend for both John Madden and NBC Sports as they prepare for the annual Hall of Fame game, the official start of the NFL preseason.
Madden, perhaps the best NFL color analyst of all time, will be honored with his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction for his coaching talents as the former boss of the Oakland Raiders.
So on Sunday night when NBC Sports returns to the NFL business at 8 p.m. with the Raiders and Eagles, it will be with the best broadcast crew in the business. Al Michaels, John Madden and Andrea Kremer make up an award-winning trio.
I talked to Madden and Michaels about this special weekend.
Madden on preparing for the Hall of Fame Game and his induction: “I am going to have plenty of time before the telecast to prepare. I went to the Raiders training camp last week to watch them practice. I’m going to talk to the Eagles and get ready for the game as much as I can with what I am going through before the game. But that is where you have to have a great partner and we all know I have a great partner in Al Michaels. He has always been a clean-up guy and I will probably need a clean-up Sunday more than I ever have.”
Michaels on the Hall of Fame Game: “John is going to be running on a lot of adrenaline on Sunday and even if he did zero preparation, he could still go into the booth and be the best analyst that ever lived. With his wealth of knowledge, it is going to be a phenomenal weekend. It is great to be a part of it and I think that to have John in that situation is going to be great. There is going to be a glow that surrounds this whole weekend; it’s our opening game telecast, and all the NFL is going to be at the Hall of Fame. This is going to be a preseason game that is going to be different from all the other games.”
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 5, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 4,812 articles
WASHINGTON - This is a special weekend for both John Madden and NBC Sports as they prepare for the annual Hall of Fame game, the official start of the NFL preseason.
Madden, perhaps the best NFL color analyst of all time, will be honored with his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction for his coaching talents as the former boss of the Oakland Raiders.
So on Sunday night when NBC Sports returns to the NFL business at 8 p.m. with the Raiders and Eagles, it will be with the best broadcast crew in the business. Al Michaels, John Madden and Andrea Kremer make up an award-winning trio.
I talked to Madden and Michaels about this special weekend.
Madden on preparing for the Hall of Fame Game and his induction: “I am going to have plenty of time before the telecast to prepare. I went to the Raiders training camp last week to watch them practice. I’m going to talk to the Eagles and get ready for the game as much as I can with what I am going through before the game. But that is where you have to have a great partner and we all know I have a great partner in Al Michaels. He has always been a clean-up guy and I will probably need a clean-up Sunday more than I ever have.”
Michaels on the Hall of Fame Game: “John is going to be running on a lot of adrenaline on Sunday and even if he did zero preparation, he could still go into the booth and be the best analyst that ever lived. With his wealth of knowledge, it is going to be a phenomenal weekend. It is great to be a part of it and I think that to have John in that situation is going to be great. There is going to be a glow that surrounds this whole weekend; it’s our opening game telecast, and all the NFL is going to be at the Hall of Fame. This is going to be a preseason game that is going to be different from all the other games.”
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Jim Williams: McEnroe: Blake used D.C. to get rolling
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 3, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 25 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 3,900 articles
WASHINGTON - Tennis fans of Washington know that when the Legg Mason Classic comes to town, so does record heat. For some reason temps rise to the century mark when the FitzGerald Tennis Center out on 16th Street hosts the annual ATP tour stop.
ESPN2 tennis analyst Patrick McEnroe is heating up after spending a couple weeks at home in Los Angeles playing Mr. Mom while his wife starred in the “Sound of Music” at the Hollywood Bowl. This week, McEnroe and Sean McDonough will handle the ESPN2’s Legg Mason coverage.
I talked with McEnroe and he likes how James Blake has used Washington as springboard for his career.
McEnroe on Blake: “James had his coming out party here. He seemed to find his game in Washington and now he is the No. 5 player in the world. I really like the way he has found his game and now seems to have confidence, which is something that he lacked for years. I know having him as part of the Davis Cup Team he has matured and refined his game. James is just going to get better and it all started here for him.”
McEnroe on being the Davis Cup coach: “It was an honor to replace my brother, John, as the coach and I will tell you that James Blake and Andy Roddick love to play for the U.S. I really think that Andy does not get the credit he should for being a real team player for our Davis Cup team. He always plays hard and enjoys being a team guy.”
ESPN2 has logged nearly 500 hours of tennis since the season started and it will have a good year both in ratings and number of tournaments televised.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 3, 2006 5:00 AM (2 hrs 25 mins ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 3,900 articles
WASHINGTON - Tennis fans of Washington know that when the Legg Mason Classic comes to town, so does record heat. For some reason temps rise to the century mark when the FitzGerald Tennis Center out on 16th Street hosts the annual ATP tour stop.
ESPN2 tennis analyst Patrick McEnroe is heating up after spending a couple weeks at home in Los Angeles playing Mr. Mom while his wife starred in the “Sound of Music” at the Hollywood Bowl. This week, McEnroe and Sean McDonough will handle the ESPN2’s Legg Mason coverage.
I talked with McEnroe and he likes how James Blake has used Washington as springboard for his career.
McEnroe on Blake: “James had his coming out party here. He seemed to find his game in Washington and now he is the No. 5 player in the world. I really like the way he has found his game and now seems to have confidence, which is something that he lacked for years. I know having him as part of the Davis Cup Team he has matured and refined his game. James is just going to get better and it all started here for him.”
McEnroe on being the Davis Cup coach: “It was an honor to replace my brother, John, as the coach and I will tell you that James Blake and Andy Roddick love to play for the U.S. I really think that Andy does not get the credit he should for being a real team player for our Davis Cup team. He always plays hard and enjoys being a team guy.”
ESPN2 has logged nearly 500 hours of tennis since the season started and it will have a good year both in ratings and number of tournaments televised.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
MASN Nabs Ravens- Expands to full time
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Aug 2, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 6,338 articles
BALTIMORE - As of this morning, Baltimore-based Mid-Atlantic Sports Network has officially launched as a full-time, 24-hour programming service. As part of its programming, the network has become the official cable home of the Baltimore Ravens. That was a huge gain for the young network, luring the Ravens away from Comcast SportsNet.
MASN, which is owned by Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos, will carry the Ravens’ four preseason games versus the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins, as well as special programming including Ravens GamePlan, Ravens Wired, Ravens Report, The Brian Billick Show, Ravens Pre-Game Kickoff and Ravens Postgame Extra. (Locally, as reported last week, Ravens games can be seen on Fox 45 in Baltimore.)
This season, MASN is home to Washington Nationals games, and in 2007, they will add the Baltimore Orioles for over 300 live Major League Baseball contests.
“Because MASN is owned by the home teams, MASN can bring fans special in-game enhancements and inside access to the Nationals and Orioles that a corporate-owned RSN (regional sports network) could never deliver,” said MASN spokesman Todd Webster. “This is a new approach to regional sports programming that removes the middle man between the fans and their teams. MASN is must-see TV delivered from the teams directly to our fans.”
MASN will be home to a variety of local NCAA sporting events, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, and lacrosse. Featured local teams include Georgetown, Howard, Morgan State, Loyola, Towson, Coppin State, UMBC and Bowie State.
The network has created partnerships with ESPN Radio 1300 in Baltimore to simulcast shows like the Tom Davis Show with The Examiners, Phil Wood, Press Box Live with Stan “The Fan” Charles, The Mark Viviano Show and The Anita Marks Show.
The problem remains that Comcast subscribers will not be able to see the product on MASN. Currently, only Cox, DirecTV, RCN, Charter and Verizon carry the network. Later this week, MASN will have to decide how to respond to the Federal Communications Commission’s ruling at take Comcast to binding arbitration.
The bottom line? If you’re a sports fan, call your cable company and the mayor’s office in Baltimore and urge them to pressure Comcast to put MASN on. Otherwise, you won’t see your favorite teams. Just ask Nationals fans what it is like not to have MASN.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Aug 2, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 6,338 articles
BALTIMORE - As of this morning, Baltimore-based Mid-Atlantic Sports Network has officially launched as a full-time, 24-hour programming service. As part of its programming, the network has become the official cable home of the Baltimore Ravens. That was a huge gain for the young network, luring the Ravens away from Comcast SportsNet.
MASN, which is owned by Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos, will carry the Ravens’ four preseason games versus the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins, as well as special programming including Ravens GamePlan, Ravens Wired, Ravens Report, The Brian Billick Show, Ravens Pre-Game Kickoff and Ravens Postgame Extra. (Locally, as reported last week, Ravens games can be seen on Fox 45 in Baltimore.)
This season, MASN is home to Washington Nationals games, and in 2007, they will add the Baltimore Orioles for over 300 live Major League Baseball contests.
“Because MASN is owned by the home teams, MASN can bring fans special in-game enhancements and inside access to the Nationals and Orioles that a corporate-owned RSN (regional sports network) could never deliver,” said MASN spokesman Todd Webster. “This is a new approach to regional sports programming that removes the middle man between the fans and their teams. MASN is must-see TV delivered from the teams directly to our fans.”
MASN will be home to a variety of local NCAA sporting events, including football, men’s and women’s basketball, and lacrosse. Featured local teams include Georgetown, Howard, Morgan State, Loyola, Towson, Coppin State, UMBC and Bowie State.
The network has created partnerships with ESPN Radio 1300 in Baltimore to simulcast shows like the Tom Davis Show with The Examiners, Phil Wood, Press Box Live with Stan “The Fan” Charles, The Mark Viviano Show and The Anita Marks Show.
The problem remains that Comcast subscribers will not be able to see the product on MASN. Currently, only Cox, DirecTV, RCN, Charter and Verizon carry the network. Later this week, MASN will have to decide how to respond to the Federal Communications Commission’s ruling at take Comcast to binding arbitration.
The bottom line? If you’re a sports fan, call your cable company and the mayor’s office in Baltimore and urge them to pressure Comcast to put MASN on. Otherwise, you won’t see your favorite teams. Just ask Nationals fans what it is like not to have MASN.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
MASN Expands reach adds Georgetown and CAA
Jim Williams
The Examiner
Aug 2, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 6,434 articles
WASHINGTON - The television home of the Washington Nationals has expanded its programming to offer round-the-clock sports action. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network was scheduled to roll out its full programming schedule at 6 this morning.
Anchored by Nationals and Baltimore Orioles coverage, MASN will air 300 live MLB contests starting in 2007.
“Because MASN is owned by the home teams, MASN can bring fans special in-game enhancements and inside access to the Nationals and Orioles that a corporate-owned RSN could never deliver,” said MASN spokesman Todd Webster. “This is a new approach to regional sports programming that removes the middle man between the fans and their teams. MASN is must-see TV delivered from the teams directly to our fans.”
MASN has also corralled Georgetown basketball as the growing network crafts a strong college sports lineup.
It will air upwards of 50 NCAA Division I football games from the Big Ten, Big East, WAC, MAC and Sun Belt conferences. Nationally-ranked football teams featured on MASN this fall include West Virginia, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Louisville and Iowa.
In 2007, the Colonial Athletic Association will join the college football lineup.
During the 2006-2007 season, MASN will show more than 100 NCAA Division I men’s college basketball games, including six Georgetown and four West Virginia games. Featured conferences include the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Colonial, WAC, MAC, and Sun Belt.
MASN will also be home to the 2007 Men’s Colonial Athletic Association Tournament quarterfinals and semifinals and will make additional announcements in the near future.
For those whose allegiances lie up I-95, MASN took the Ravens from Comcast SportsNet starting this season.
MASN will carry the Ravens’ four preseason games (vs. the Giants, Eagles, Vikings, and Redskins) as well as special programming including Ravens GamePlan, Ravens Wired, Ravens Report, The Brian Billick Show, Ravens Pre-Game Kickoff and Ravens Postgame Extra.
Radio you can see
» Want to see what Andy Pollin and Steve Czaban really look like? MASN and WTEM SportsTalk 980-AM are in preliminary talks about simulcasting programming on the network. In Baltimore, MASN has a deal in place to air shows from ESPN 1300-AM, so the network’s goal is to find a radio station in the D.C. area to serve the market with local programming.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
The Examiner
Aug 2, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 2 of 6,434 articles
WASHINGTON - The television home of the Washington Nationals has expanded its programming to offer round-the-clock sports action. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network was scheduled to roll out its full programming schedule at 6 this morning.
Anchored by Nationals and Baltimore Orioles coverage, MASN will air 300 live MLB contests starting in 2007.
“Because MASN is owned by the home teams, MASN can bring fans special in-game enhancements and inside access to the Nationals and Orioles that a corporate-owned RSN could never deliver,” said MASN spokesman Todd Webster. “This is a new approach to regional sports programming that removes the middle man between the fans and their teams. MASN is must-see TV delivered from the teams directly to our fans.”
MASN has also corralled Georgetown basketball as the growing network crafts a strong college sports lineup.
It will air upwards of 50 NCAA Division I football games from the Big Ten, Big East, WAC, MAC and Sun Belt conferences. Nationally-ranked football teams featured on MASN this fall include West Virginia, Penn State, Ohio State, Michigan, Louisville and Iowa.
In 2007, the Colonial Athletic Association will join the college football lineup.
During the 2006-2007 season, MASN will show more than 100 NCAA Division I men’s college basketball games, including six Georgetown and four West Virginia games. Featured conferences include the Big East, Big Ten, Big 12, Colonial, WAC, MAC, and Sun Belt.
MASN will also be home to the 2007 Men’s Colonial Athletic Association Tournament quarterfinals and semifinals and will make additional announcements in the near future.
For those whose allegiances lie up I-95, MASN took the Ravens from Comcast SportsNet starting this season.
MASN will carry the Ravens’ four preseason games (vs. the Giants, Eagles, Vikings, and Redskins) as well as special programming including Ravens GamePlan, Ravens Wired, Ravens Report, The Brian Billick Show, Ravens Pre-Game Kickoff and Ravens Postgame Extra.
Radio you can see
» Want to see what Andy Pollin and Steve Czaban really look like? MASN and WTEM SportsTalk 980-AM are in preliminary talks about simulcasting programming on the network. In Baltimore, MASN has a deal in place to air shows from ESPN 1300-AM, so the network’s goal is to find a radio station in the D.C. area to serve the market with local programming.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
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