Jim Williams: Playing money ball, Baltimore-style
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 29, 2006 5:00 AM (10 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 16 of 6,692 articles
BALTIMORE - Orioles owner Peter Angelos finally has the regional cable sports network he feels is necessary to make up some ground on the Yankees and Red Sox, but there is a long way to go before cash starts rolling into the Camden Yards warehouse.
Angelos’ Mid-Atlantic Sports Network is the single biggest gamble he has taken since assuming ownership of the team. The Washington Nationals’ local TV rights fees are paid by MASN as part of the deal Angelos struck with Major League Baseball when they invested $75 million into the network for a stake of up to 33 percent ownership of MASN over time. The deal, which is guaranteed, then transferred to the Lerner family when it bought the Nationals. Should MASN fail to pay the Nationals on time every year, the network would run the risk of breaching the agreement and losing the Nationals’ rights.
As MASN’s senior partner, Angelos is also responsible for all of the network’s operating costs — such as rights fees, buying programming and producing more than 300 baseball games in 2007 at about $15,000 per game.
MASN is losing money. Currently, it’s at 3.6 million subscribers, putting it 1.2 million behind Comcast SportsNet’s total. MASN’s growth to reach the five- to six-million mark is critical to its long-range success, and that will take time.
The clock is ticking on the local network. The Baltimore- and Washington-area cable deals with Comcast are in place, so MASN is further along than last year, but there is still a long road ahead. Typically, it takes regional sports networks four to six years before they turn a profit.
So how much cash will MASN generate for the Orioles to spend? Good question.
In 2007, MASN will pay the Nationals and the Orioles $25 million dollars each in local TV rights fees, with an increase each year as the network grows. Add to that $22.5 million per year — the Orioles’ share of MLB’s new $3 billion TV contracts in 2007 — and that puts the Orioles at $47.5 million in local and national TV revenues next year. Both Baltimore and Washington will be well within MLB’s top 10 in local TV-generated revenue.
But no matter how well MASN produces, there will always be a financial disparity between the Baltimore/Washington region and top markets like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago because of sheer population numbers. At the pinnacle of the local TV revenue list are the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers, Angels and Cubs. The Orioles and Nationals are in the same boat as the White Sox, Braves and Phillies.
But money — or in this case, the lack of it — isn’t keeping smaller-market teams like the Athletics, Tigers, Twins and Padres out of the playoffs. None of them has anywhere near the TV cash that the Orioles and Nationals will have in 2007. The moral of the story? The Birds must open their potentially burgeoning wallet wisely.
Baltimore fans should be encouraged that Angelos is taking a big gamble with MASN. He knows the Orioles need it to be successful. But that same gamble could cost him everything.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can reach him at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Friday, September 29, 2006
Nats cashing in on 2007
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 29, 2006 5:00 AM (10 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 7 of 6,517 articles
WASHINGTON - As we put a bow on an interesting second season for the Washington Nationals, for the first time in a while this franchsie can say the future is bright.
We have a dedicated ownership group in place with the Lerner family, who thus far have shown a solid commitment to Washington and the future of baseball.
Then there is Stan Kasten, the Nationals team president who is moving full speed on so many fronts I do not have room to list them.
Fans now know they will be able to see all Nats games next season. MASN is in place and the team will have plenty of cash from TV to help build a winner on the field and invest in the future.
MASN’s payment to the Nationals for the 2007 season is a robust $25 million for local TV rights fees. That ranks Washington among the top 10 in baseball in locally generated rights fees. In the National League only the Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants and Braves will bring in more local TV cash than Washington.
Let’s add another $22.5 million for next season from the new $3 billion dollar Major League Baseball TV deal (the amount each team gets for 2007). Quick math puts the total at around $47.5 million in total TV cash.
And that is before the gates open at RFK, one hot dog or Coke is sold or a penny of the Lerner family’s cash is spent.
Not a bad start.
We should also see the return of one of baseball’s best TV tandem’s Bob Carpenter and Tom Paciorek. They did a great job on MASN and should be here for a long time to come.
How about the radio?
Charlie Slowes and his partner, Dave Jageler, will also return. That is great news.
Washington is still looking for a long-term radio home. But the Nats may do a one-year deal to stay with WTWP for another season, then look around and do a longer deal as they move into the new stadium.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 29, 2006 5:00 AM (10 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 7 of 6,517 articles
WASHINGTON - As we put a bow on an interesting second season for the Washington Nationals, for the first time in a while this franchsie can say the future is bright.
We have a dedicated ownership group in place with the Lerner family, who thus far have shown a solid commitment to Washington and the future of baseball.
Then there is Stan Kasten, the Nationals team president who is moving full speed on so many fronts I do not have room to list them.
Fans now know they will be able to see all Nats games next season. MASN is in place and the team will have plenty of cash from TV to help build a winner on the field and invest in the future.
MASN’s payment to the Nationals for the 2007 season is a robust $25 million for local TV rights fees. That ranks Washington among the top 10 in baseball in locally generated rights fees. In the National League only the Mets, Cubs, Dodgers, Giants and Braves will bring in more local TV cash than Washington.
Let’s add another $22.5 million for next season from the new $3 billion dollar Major League Baseball TV deal (the amount each team gets for 2007). Quick math puts the total at around $47.5 million in total TV cash.
And that is before the gates open at RFK, one hot dog or Coke is sold or a penny of the Lerner family’s cash is spent.
Not a bad start.
We should also see the return of one of baseball’s best TV tandem’s Bob Carpenter and Tom Paciorek. They did a great job on MASN and should be here for a long time to come.
How about the radio?
Charlie Slowes and his partner, Dave Jageler, will also return. That is great news.
Washington is still looking for a long-term radio home. But the Nats may do a one-year deal to stay with WTWP for another season, then look around and do a longer deal as they move into the new stadium.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Jim Williams: SIRIUS lets Giorgio Chinaglia loose
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 27, 2006 5:00 AM (4 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 5,380 articles
BALTIMORE - Don’t know who Giorgio Chinaglia is? Tell you what: Drop by Baltimore’s “Little Italy,” and they will tell you all about the former Lazio star, who was one of the best strikers in the world during the mid-1960 and ’70s.
Heard of Chelsea of the English Premiership? Soccer fans from Bel Air to Bethesda and throughout the rest of Maryland have made Chelsea their team of choice with a statewide fan club that numbers nearly 2,000.
So what are Chinaglia and Chelsea doing together? “True Blue,” one of the world’s most popular soccer teams, lists SIRIUS as its official radio home, and Chinaglia, one of soccer’s most outspoken and beloved analysts, hosts the pre-game show.
Prior to every Chelsea match on SIRIUS, Chinaglia and Charlie Stillitano, the former general manager of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, will host the “Chelsea True Blue Show,” an hour-long segment. The program will include interviews with players, full match commentary, live feeds from post-match press conferences and listener call-ins.
I spoke to Chinaglia recently about all things soccer.
Jim Williams: Why do you think U.S. fans follow European soccer?
Giorgio Chinaglia: “I think soccer is alive and well in America, but I think fans are watching Chelsea, Manchester United, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid. The fans also like the MLS and Baltimore is the best city for the indoor game, but Americans love to watch the best sports in the world, and if you’re a soccer fan then you want to follow the European leagues.”
JW: Is the English Premiership the best of the European leagues?
GC: From top to bottom, it is the best league in the world. That said, it is really a four-team race with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all doing battle for the championship. The favorites have to be Chelsea, with World Cup stars like Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack joining John Terry and Frank Lampard on the Chelsea roster this season. Now is the perfect time for soccer fans to follow one of the best teams in the world.”
Chinaglia and Stillitano also will host a weekly soccer talk show exclusively on SIRIUS that covers the best teams and leagues worldwide. Chinaglia, with his star-studded Rolodex, will have the best soccer show on radio. “The Football Show” will debut today from 5 to 8 p.m. on SIRIUS channel 125.
SIRIUS is the home of soccer on radio, with at least three Premiership games every weekend and three hours of soccer talk every day.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can reach him at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 27, 2006 5:00 AM (4 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 1 of 5,380 articles
BALTIMORE - Don’t know who Giorgio Chinaglia is? Tell you what: Drop by Baltimore’s “Little Italy,” and they will tell you all about the former Lazio star, who was one of the best strikers in the world during the mid-1960 and ’70s.
Heard of Chelsea of the English Premiership? Soccer fans from Bel Air to Bethesda and throughout the rest of Maryland have made Chelsea their team of choice with a statewide fan club that numbers nearly 2,000.
So what are Chinaglia and Chelsea doing together? “True Blue,” one of the world’s most popular soccer teams, lists SIRIUS as its official radio home, and Chinaglia, one of soccer’s most outspoken and beloved analysts, hosts the pre-game show.
Prior to every Chelsea match on SIRIUS, Chinaglia and Charlie Stillitano, the former general manager of the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, will host the “Chelsea True Blue Show,” an hour-long segment. The program will include interviews with players, full match commentary, live feeds from post-match press conferences and listener call-ins.
I spoke to Chinaglia recently about all things soccer.
Jim Williams: Why do you think U.S. fans follow European soccer?
Giorgio Chinaglia: “I think soccer is alive and well in America, but I think fans are watching Chelsea, Manchester United, FC Barcelona, and Real Madrid. The fans also like the MLS and Baltimore is the best city for the indoor game, but Americans love to watch the best sports in the world, and if you’re a soccer fan then you want to follow the European leagues.”
JW: Is the English Premiership the best of the European leagues?
GC: From top to bottom, it is the best league in the world. That said, it is really a four-team race with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all doing battle for the championship. The favorites have to be Chelsea, with World Cup stars like Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack joining John Terry and Frank Lampard on the Chelsea roster this season. Now is the perfect time for soccer fans to follow one of the best teams in the world.”
Chinaglia and Stillitano also will host a weekly soccer talk show exclusively on SIRIUS that covers the best teams and leagues worldwide. Chinaglia, with his star-studded Rolodex, will have the best soccer show on radio. “The Football Show” will debut today from 5 to 8 p.m. on SIRIUS channel 125.
SIRIUS is the home of soccer on radio, with at least three Premiership games every weekend and three hours of soccer talk every day.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can reach him at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Chelsea heads to SIRIUS
WASHINGTON - Chelsea, the English Premiership’s answer to the New York Yankees, and Giorgio Chinaglia will be together starting this week as SIRIUS becomes the official radio home of “True Blue.”
It brings together one of the world’s most popular soccer teams and one of soccer’s most outspoken and beloved soccer analysts.
Prior to every Chelsea match on SIRIUS, Chinaglia, former New York Cosmos and Italian national team striker, and Charlie Stillitano, former general manager of the New York/New Jersey Metrostars, will host Chelsea True Blue, an hour pre-game show. The program will include interviews with players, full match commentary, live feeds from post-match press conferences and listener call-ins.
I spoke to Chinaglia about all things soccer.
Chinaglia on soccer making it in the United States:
“I have seen D.C fans fill RFK Stadium when I played with the Cosmos and when they played us in the Meadowlands we would draw 70,000 so there is no doubt Washington is a great soccer city. You can see how the United is setting the pace for the MLS. I think soccer is alive and well in America but I think fans are watching Chelsea, Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. United fans are no different than other U.S. fans; they love their team but they also follow the best European teams and leagues as well.”
Chinaglia on the Premiership:
“From top to bottom it is the best league in the world. That said, it is really a four-team race with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all doing battle for the Championship.
“The favorites have to be Chelsea. With World Cup stars like Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack joining John Terry and Frank Lampard on the Chelsea roster this season, now is the perfect time for soccer fans to follow one of the best teams in the world.”
Chinaglia and Stillitano will also host a weekly soccer talk show exclusively on SIRIUS that will cover the best teams and leagues from around the globe with expert analysis and interviews with star coaches, players and executives. “The Football Show” will debut on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. on SIRIUS channel 125.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
It brings together one of the world’s most popular soccer teams and one of soccer’s most outspoken and beloved soccer analysts.
Prior to every Chelsea match on SIRIUS, Chinaglia, former New York Cosmos and Italian national team striker, and Charlie Stillitano, former general manager of the New York/New Jersey Metrostars, will host Chelsea True Blue, an hour pre-game show. The program will include interviews with players, full match commentary, live feeds from post-match press conferences and listener call-ins.
I spoke to Chinaglia about all things soccer.
Chinaglia on soccer making it in the United States:
“I have seen D.C fans fill RFK Stadium when I played with the Cosmos and when they played us in the Meadowlands we would draw 70,000 so there is no doubt Washington is a great soccer city. You can see how the United is setting the pace for the MLS. I think soccer is alive and well in America but I think fans are watching Chelsea, Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. United fans are no different than other U.S. fans; they love their team but they also follow the best European teams and leagues as well.”
Chinaglia on the Premiership:
“From top to bottom it is the best league in the world. That said, it is really a four-team race with Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all doing battle for the Championship.
“The favorites have to be Chelsea. With World Cup stars like Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack joining John Terry and Frank Lampard on the Chelsea roster this season, now is the perfect time for soccer fans to follow one of the best teams in the world.”
Chinaglia and Stillitano will also host a weekly soccer talk show exclusively on SIRIUS that will cover the best teams and leagues from around the globe with expert analysis and interviews with star coaches, players and executives. “The Football Show” will debut on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. on SIRIUS channel 125.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Cap - Wiz about to hit local TV
Always
WASHINGTON - Can’t get enough of No. 8? No worries. All 82 regular season games featuring Alex Ovechkin, recently dubbed the NHL’s best player by The Sporting News, and the Capitals can be seen on local TV this season.
What about Agent Zero? Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards will clock in with at least 79 games and that number is likely to jump to 81 once the NBA’s national schedule is finalized.
The Caps ...
Comcast SportsNet will broadcast 56 games; CW50 (formerly WB50) will carry 13 and NewsChannel 8 will air 10. Every Capitals home game on CSN will be available in HD. Three Capitals games will be broadcast on national television by NBC and OLN (which will change its name to Versus on Monday).
The Caps have one of the NHL’s best broadcast teams in Joe Beninati and former Capital Craig Laughlin in the booth with Al Koken reporting from rinkside.
Koken joins former Capital Joe Reekie for “Caps Post Game Live” following games on CSN.
The Wiz ...
CSN will broadcast 54 games with at least 38 in HD; CW 50 will carry 15 and CN8, along with Newschannel 8, will air 10. Some area cable outlets carry Newschannel 8 and not CN8 so Wizards fans are covered.
Hoops fans will be happy to hear the talented and popular team of Emmy-Award winning Steve Buckhantz as play-by-play commentator and former Bullets great Phil Chenier as color analyst returns. It’s Buck’s 10th season calling Wizards games and Chenier’s 22nd.
Redskins maintain ratings dominance
The Redskins-Cowboys primetime meeting last Sunday on NBC 4 drew a monstrous 30.4 rating and a whopping 49 percent share. So in prime time, nearly half the people watching television in Washington were tuned to the Redskins game. It was far and away the most watched local show for the second straight week.
Not surprisingly, all Redskins related programming — radio and TV — is enjoying strong ratings.
On the national level, the Redskins-Cowboys game finished second in the weekly ratings to ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”
I blame Emmitt Smith.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
WASHINGTON - Can’t get enough of No. 8? No worries. All 82 regular season games featuring Alex Ovechkin, recently dubbed the NHL’s best player by The Sporting News, and the Capitals can be seen on local TV this season.
What about Agent Zero? Gilbert Arenas and the Wizards will clock in with at least 79 games and that number is likely to jump to 81 once the NBA’s national schedule is finalized.
The Caps ...
Comcast SportsNet will broadcast 56 games; CW50 (formerly WB50) will carry 13 and NewsChannel 8 will air 10. Every Capitals home game on CSN will be available in HD. Three Capitals games will be broadcast on national television by NBC and OLN (which will change its name to Versus on Monday).
The Caps have one of the NHL’s best broadcast teams in Joe Beninati and former Capital Craig Laughlin in the booth with Al Koken reporting from rinkside.
Koken joins former Capital Joe Reekie for “Caps Post Game Live” following games on CSN.
The Wiz ...
CSN will broadcast 54 games with at least 38 in HD; CW 50 will carry 15 and CN8, along with Newschannel 8, will air 10. Some area cable outlets carry Newschannel 8 and not CN8 so Wizards fans are covered.
Hoops fans will be happy to hear the talented and popular team of Emmy-Award winning Steve Buckhantz as play-by-play commentator and former Bullets great Phil Chenier as color analyst returns. It’s Buck’s 10th season calling Wizards games and Chenier’s 22nd.
Redskins maintain ratings dominance
The Redskins-Cowboys primetime meeting last Sunday on NBC 4 drew a monstrous 30.4 rating and a whopping 49 percent share. So in prime time, nearly half the people watching television in Washington were tuned to the Redskins game. It was far and away the most watched local show for the second straight week.
Not surprisingly, all Redskins related programming — radio and TV — is enjoying strong ratings.
On the national level, the Redskins-Cowboys game finished second in the weekly ratings to ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”
I blame Emmitt Smith.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
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Saturday, September 09, 2006
Jim Williams: Something for everyone on TV
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 9, 2006 5:00 AM (1 hr 58 mins ago)
Current rank: # 7 of 1,480 articles
BALTIMORE - The Ravens’ game against Tampa Bay Sunday will mark the first time the CBS broadcast crew of Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon have worked together, but the big changes in the NFL this year come on the pre-game shows.
(To answer a question that I have been asked often: Yes, all NFL games this year will be produced in high definition, so now is the time to get that new TV.)
For the first time, each Sunday we will have a national triple-header all on broadcast TV, and there will be more than 14 consecutive hours of NFL coverage each week starting Sunday. And that doesn’t even include local programming.
Let’s start with CBS (WJZ-13) and its new lineup. James Brown, the king of cool, is back at the network he started at so many years ago. J.B. will replace Greg Gumbel as the host of “The NFL of CBS.” The show will be done from the network’s New York studio, with Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe and Boomer Esiason joining Brown. Gumbel will return to the play-by-play booth, which was his choice, and will team up with Dan Dierdorf as CBS Sports’ No. 2 team.
FOX (WBFF-45) is taking the show on the road, with Joe Buck serving as both pre-game host and game announcer. He will be on site with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson. They’ll take us up to game time. Curt Menefee take over on-site for Buck to handle the halftime and post-game show with Long, Bradshaw and Johnson. “FOX Game Breaks” will be handled out of L.A.
NBC (WBAL-11) is back with a very impressive team on “Football Night in America” at 7 p.m. It will feature Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Peter King, Jerome Bettis and Sterling Sharpe in the studio. Wait till you see the awesome NBC set that features a 200-plus-inch HD plasma monitor that will serve as a backdrop to a very futuristic set!
After “NBC Sunday Night Football” finishes around 11:30 p.m., go to the NFL Network. “NFL GameDay” is a 90-minute spin around the league. The new program features host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci and the always-fun Deion Sanders. The show will be a highlight-driven program, plus post-game press conferences, interviews and analysis.
More about ESPN and Monday Night Football on Monday.
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
Sep 9, 2006 5:00 AM (1 hr 58 mins ago)
Current rank: # 7 of 1,480 articles
BALTIMORE - The Ravens’ game against Tampa Bay Sunday will mark the first time the CBS broadcast crew of Kevin Harlan and Rich Gannon have worked together, but the big changes in the NFL this year come on the pre-game shows.
(To answer a question that I have been asked often: Yes, all NFL games this year will be produced in high definition, so now is the time to get that new TV.)
For the first time, each Sunday we will have a national triple-header all on broadcast TV, and there will be more than 14 consecutive hours of NFL coverage each week starting Sunday. And that doesn’t even include local programming.
Let’s start with CBS (WJZ-13) and its new lineup. James Brown, the king of cool, is back at the network he started at so many years ago. J.B. will replace Greg Gumbel as the host of “The NFL of CBS.” The show will be done from the network’s New York studio, with Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe and Boomer Esiason joining Brown. Gumbel will return to the play-by-play booth, which was his choice, and will team up with Dan Dierdorf as CBS Sports’ No. 2 team.
FOX (WBFF-45) is taking the show on the road, with Joe Buck serving as both pre-game host and game announcer. He will be on site with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson. They’ll take us up to game time. Curt Menefee take over on-site for Buck to handle the halftime and post-game show with Long, Bradshaw and Johnson. “FOX Game Breaks” will be handled out of L.A.
NBC (WBAL-11) is back with a very impressive team on “Football Night in America” at 7 p.m. It will feature Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Peter King, Jerome Bettis and Sterling Sharpe in the studio. Wait till you see the awesome NBC set that features a 200-plus-inch HD plasma monitor that will serve as a backdrop to a very futuristic set!
After “NBC Sunday Night Football” finishes around 11:30 p.m., go to the NFL Network. “NFL GameDay” is a 90-minute spin around the league. The new program features host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci and the always-fun Deion Sanders. The show will be a highlight-driven program, plus post-game press conferences, interviews and analysis.
More about ESPN and Monday Night Football on Monday.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail Jim at jwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Friday, September 08, 2006
Jim Williams: Paradise found for NFL fans
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 8, 2006 5:00 AM (1 hr 55 mins ago)
Current rank: # 6 of 5,268 articles
WASHINGTON - There have been many changes for the NFL viewer in 2006. Good changes.
For the first time, each Sunday will feature a national tripleheader on broadcast TV and more than 14 consecutive hours of NFL coverage — not including local programming.
Let’s start with CBS 9’s new lineup. Washington’s own James Brown is back where he started. J.B. will replace Greg Gumbel as the host of “The NFL of CBS.” The show will be done from the network’s New York studio and Brown will be joined by Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe and Boomer Esiason. Gumbel chose a return to the booth, where he will call games with Dan Dierdorf as CBS’ No. 2 team.
FOX 5 is taking the show on the road with Joe Buck serving as both pregame host and game announcer. He will anchor the pregame festivities on-site with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson. Curt Menefee replaces Buck for halftime. Buck and Troy Aikman will continue as FOX’s No. 1 game broadcast duo.
NBC 4 is back and has an impressive “Football Night in America” studio team at 7 p.m featuring Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Peter King, Jerome Bettis and Sterling Sharpe. A 200-plus-inch HD plasma monitor will serve as the futuristic set’s backdrop.
After “NBC Sunday Night Football” finishes around 11:30 p.m. you need to click over to the NFL Network and check out “NFL GameDay,” a 90-minute wrap-up of the day’s games. Rich Eisen will host and he’s joined by analysts Steve Mariucci and Deion Sanders.
Also, to answer a question I get all the time: Yes, all NFL games this year will be produced in HD, so now is the time to get that new TV.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 8, 2006 5:00 AM (1 hr 55 mins ago)
Current rank: # 6 of 5,268 articles
WASHINGTON - There have been many changes for the NFL viewer in 2006. Good changes.
For the first time, each Sunday will feature a national tripleheader on broadcast TV and more than 14 consecutive hours of NFL coverage — not including local programming.
Let’s start with CBS 9’s new lineup. Washington’s own James Brown is back where he started. J.B. will replace Greg Gumbel as the host of “The NFL of CBS.” The show will be done from the network’s New York studio and Brown will be joined by Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe and Boomer Esiason. Gumbel chose a return to the booth, where he will call games with Dan Dierdorf as CBS’ No. 2 team.
FOX 5 is taking the show on the road with Joe Buck serving as both pregame host and game announcer. He will anchor the pregame festivities on-site with Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long and Jimmy Johnson. Curt Menefee replaces Buck for halftime. Buck and Troy Aikman will continue as FOX’s No. 1 game broadcast duo.
NBC 4 is back and has an impressive “Football Night in America” studio team at 7 p.m featuring Bob Costas, Cris Collinsworth, Peter King, Jerome Bettis and Sterling Sharpe. A 200-plus-inch HD plasma monitor will serve as the futuristic set’s backdrop.
After “NBC Sunday Night Football” finishes around 11:30 p.m. you need to click over to the NFL Network and check out “NFL GameDay,” a 90-minute wrap-up of the day’s games. Rich Eisen will host and he’s joined by analysts Steve Mariucci and Deion Sanders.
Also, to answer a question I get all the time: Yes, all NFL games this year will be produced in HD, so now is the time to get that new TV.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Jim Williams: From the booth, Bus honks for Baltimore
(AP)
Jerome Bettis raises the Super Bowl trophy in his hometown of Detroit last season. Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 7, 2006 5:00 AM (10 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 4 of 7,418 articles
BALTIMORE - When Jerome Bettis played against the Ravens, the last thing he considered was how to make Baltimore a better team. After all, The Bus played for the hated, rival Pittsburgh Steelers and was the focus of many a crunching hit.
Now, though, Bettis is a media insider and part of the brand new “Football Night in America” team on WBAL 11, to be seen each Sunday at 7 p.m. prior to “NBC Sunday Night Football.” Bettis joins Bob Costas, Peter King, Cris Collinsworth and Sterling Sharpe on the network’s new pre-game show.
When I spoke to him last week as he was getting ready for this week’s debut, he was very high on the Ravens.
Bettis on the Ravens new quarterback, Steve McNair: “The Ravens got the perfect man for the job. Steve manages a game better than almost any QB that I have ever seen. He always is thinking ahead, seldom throws a pick and is great at improvisation. He is also a leader, and I really think that will help the Ravens focus. Finally, Kyle Boller will learn a great deal from Steve, who is a born teacher.”
Bettis on the Ravens’ playoff chances: “They should be able to do well, and I would not be surprised if they won the division. The Ravens have the quality players on ... offense, and of course, you have to love that defense. Or maybe I should say, ‘It is far easier to enjoy the talent of their defense when they aren’t chasing me.’ For the Ravens to make the playoffs, they have to be a better road team and get more consistency on the offense, and with Steve running the show, I like their chances.”
Thursday night on WBAL, you will be able to see the NBC gang of Al Michaels, John Madden and Andrea Kreamer as they handle the opening game of the season between Miami and Pittsburgh.
Also, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network debuts Friday on Comcast channel 62 in Baltimore and channel 64 in Baltimore County, and plenty of Ravens programs can be seen on the network. Ravens Game Plan airs Fridays at 7 p.m. For the complete schedule of Ravens programming, check out www.masn.tv.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail him atjwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
(AP)
Jerome Bettis raises the Super Bowl trophy in his hometown of Detroit last season. Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 7, 2006 5:00 AM (10 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 4 of 7,418 articles
BALTIMORE - When Jerome Bettis played against the Ravens, the last thing he considered was how to make Baltimore a better team. After all, The Bus played for the hated, rival Pittsburgh Steelers and was the focus of many a crunching hit.
Now, though, Bettis is a media insider and part of the brand new “Football Night in America” team on WBAL 11, to be seen each Sunday at 7 p.m. prior to “NBC Sunday Night Football.” Bettis joins Bob Costas, Peter King, Cris Collinsworth and Sterling Sharpe on the network’s new pre-game show.
When I spoke to him last week as he was getting ready for this week’s debut, he was very high on the Ravens.
Bettis on the Ravens new quarterback, Steve McNair: “The Ravens got the perfect man for the job. Steve manages a game better than almost any QB that I have ever seen. He always is thinking ahead, seldom throws a pick and is great at improvisation. He is also a leader, and I really think that will help the Ravens focus. Finally, Kyle Boller will learn a great deal from Steve, who is a born teacher.”
Bettis on the Ravens’ playoff chances: “They should be able to do well, and I would not be surprised if they won the division. The Ravens have the quality players on ... offense, and of course, you have to love that defense. Or maybe I should say, ‘It is far easier to enjoy the talent of their defense when they aren’t chasing me.’ For the Ravens to make the playoffs, they have to be a better road team and get more consistency on the offense, and with Steve running the show, I like their chances.”
Thursday night on WBAL, you will be able to see the NBC gang of Al Michaels, John Madden and Andrea Kreamer as they handle the opening game of the season between Miami and Pittsburgh.
Also, Mid-Atlantic Sports Network debuts Friday on Comcast channel 62 in Baltimore and channel 64 in Baltimore County, and plenty of Ravens programs can be seen on the network. Ravens Game Plan airs Fridays at 7 p.m. For the complete schedule of Ravens programming, check out www.masn.tv.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. You can e-mail him atjwilliamsexaminer@gmail.com.
Examiner
Jim Williams: The Brick lays foundation in D.C. on WTEM
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 7, 2006 5:00 AM (10 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 7,418 articles
WASHINGTON - He is the definition of high energy.
He prides himself on getting to more callers than any other national sports talk show host.
And he is ecstatic to be back on the air in Washington.
His name is John Tournour, but he is better known as J.T. the Brick. His show, Gametime React, is on nightly from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. on WTEM SportsTalk 980-AM. The Fox Sports Radio talker loves to have Redskins fans back on the air, taking on Cowboys, Giants and Eagles callers in a spirited debate about football.
“It is good to be back,” J.T. said. “I have missed the Washington sports fans.”
Thursday nights are special for J.T. as his show focuses on the military and gets in as many calls, e-mails and text messages as possible from troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world.
“It is so very special for me to be able to have contact with the troops,” J.T. said. “Fox Sports Radio is heard worldwide on the Armed Forces Radio Network, so men and women take some time out of their days or nights to escape with me for a while and to talk sports.”
Tomm Looney, an L.A. radio legend, handles the updates and keeps the passionate J.T on track as the fast-paced show switches from callers to guests and back again almost seamlessly.
The show is always entertaining and has plenty of Washington callers ready to take on challengers from anywhere.
Gametime React is well worth the listen and by all means checkout Thursday’s military-focused show, it is special radio.
For more information on how to help the troops you can check out www.jtthebrick.com or www.strikeoutforthetroops.org.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 7, 2006 5:00 AM (10 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 7,418 articles
WASHINGTON - He is the definition of high energy.
He prides himself on getting to more callers than any other national sports talk show host.
And he is ecstatic to be back on the air in Washington.
His name is John Tournour, but he is better known as J.T. the Brick. His show, Gametime React, is on nightly from 10 p.m.-2 a.m. on WTEM SportsTalk 980-AM. The Fox Sports Radio talker loves to have Redskins fans back on the air, taking on Cowboys, Giants and Eagles callers in a spirited debate about football.
“It is good to be back,” J.T. said. “I have missed the Washington sports fans.”
Thursday nights are special for J.T. as his show focuses on the military and gets in as many calls, e-mails and text messages as possible from troops in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world.
“It is so very special for me to be able to have contact with the troops,” J.T. said. “Fox Sports Radio is heard worldwide on the Armed Forces Radio Network, so men and women take some time out of their days or nights to escape with me for a while and to talk sports.”
Tomm Looney, an L.A. radio legend, handles the updates and keeps the passionate J.T on track as the fast-paced show switches from callers to guests and back again almost seamlessly.
The show is always entertaining and has plenty of Washington callers ready to take on challengers from anywhere.
Gametime React is well worth the listen and by all means checkout Thursday’s military-focused show, it is special radio.
For more information on how to help the troops you can check out www.jtthebrick.com or www.strikeoutforthetroops.org.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Jim Williams: College football 2006: Games on
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 2, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 4 of 5,579 articles
WASHINGTON - You say you’re ready for some college football?
Between now and January there will be over 1,000 games for you to digest.
And you have come to the right place because in 2006 following your favorite team is possible no matter if it’s Maryland or North Texas. If you have a TV with a cable package and a computer, you’re set.
The ESPN family of networks will host all live ACC games and Navy games will be seen live on CSTV.
Starting today there will no longer be an ABC Sports — all games on ABC 7 will be under the ESPN on ABC umbrella. The graphics will say ESPN with a little bug on the screen showing the ABC logo.
Local fans of Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech will be able to see all games as well as their school’s respective coach’s show on CSN on tape delay.
The marquee games of the week for the Top 25 will all air on the ESPN family of networks (that now includes ABC 7), CBS 9, TBS, FSN, (which can be seen on CSN) and ESPN Regional TV (which can be seen on MASN).
Still can’t find your favorite team?
OK, let’s go to the Internet for ESPN 360, CSTV and of course, your favorite school’s Web site. In most cases what you will find is everything from live game coverage to streaming game audio to the simple game tracker which gives you a written play-by-play of the game. Some of these sites can require a sign up fee so check them out first and see what the best value is. CSTV and ESPN will offer subscription services that give you live game or live audio coverage.
Both Washington-based XM and SIRIUS have extensive college football packages that subscribers should check out. XM has the Big Ten, Pac-10, ACC and Big East. Meanwhile, SIRIUS has a number of the Top 25 schools signed plus a bunch of major and smaller colleges so check out their Web site to find your favorite team.
On the dial
Where to find local college football radio broadcasts.
School Station
Maryland 630 WMAL-AM
Virginia 570 WTNT-AM
Va. Tech 980 WTEM-AM
Navy 1050 WFED-AM (or 1500 WTWP- AM)
» Howard, Georgetown, Catholic University, Bowie State coverage can be found on the respective school’s Web site.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 2, 2006 5:00 AM (5 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 4 of 5,579 articles
WASHINGTON - You say you’re ready for some college football?
Between now and January there will be over 1,000 games for you to digest.
And you have come to the right place because in 2006 following your favorite team is possible no matter if it’s Maryland or North Texas. If you have a TV with a cable package and a computer, you’re set.
The ESPN family of networks will host all live ACC games and Navy games will be seen live on CSTV.
Starting today there will no longer be an ABC Sports — all games on ABC 7 will be under the ESPN on ABC umbrella. The graphics will say ESPN with a little bug on the screen showing the ABC logo.
Local fans of Maryland, Virginia, Virginia Tech will be able to see all games as well as their school’s respective coach’s show on CSN on tape delay.
The marquee games of the week for the Top 25 will all air on the ESPN family of networks (that now includes ABC 7), CBS 9, TBS, FSN, (which can be seen on CSN) and ESPN Regional TV (which can be seen on MASN).
Still can’t find your favorite team?
OK, let’s go to the Internet for ESPN 360, CSTV and of course, your favorite school’s Web site. In most cases what you will find is everything from live game coverage to streaming game audio to the simple game tracker which gives you a written play-by-play of the game. Some of these sites can require a sign up fee so check them out first and see what the best value is. CSTV and ESPN will offer subscription services that give you live game or live audio coverage.
Both Washington-based XM and SIRIUS have extensive college football packages that subscribers should check out. XM has the Big Ten, Pac-10, ACC and Big East. Meanwhile, SIRIUS has a number of the Top 25 schools signed plus a bunch of major and smaller colleges so check out their Web site to find your favorite team.
On the dial
Where to find local college football radio broadcasts.
School Station
Maryland 630 WMAL-AM
Virginia 570 WTNT-AM
Va. Tech 980 WTEM-AM
Navy 1050 WFED-AM (or 1500 WTWP- AM)
» Howard, Georgetown, Catholic University, Bowie State coverage can be found on the respective school’s Web site.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams: So, you say you like college football?
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 2, 2006 5:00 AM (4 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 5,505 articles
BALTIMORE - Starting this weekend and going on through January, there will be more than 1,000 games available on TV. Whether your favorite team is Maryland or Texas Christian, if you have a TV (with cable) and a computer, you are good to go.
Local Maryland fans can watch the Terps on Comcast tape delay starting Sunday night with the opener against William & Mary. Comcast will also do Ralph Friedgen’s coach show, which will air every Friday night during the season. Also, starting on Sept. 8, “Ralph Friedgen Report” can be seen on SportsNite every Wednesday night.
Mid-Atlantic Sports Network starts their football coverage this weekend with Marshall at West Virginia at 3:30 p.m. Navy games will be seen live on CSTV, with local favorites Pete Medhurst and former Maryland quarterback Scott Zolak handling the broadcast duties.
Remember this: Starting today, there will no longer be an ABC Sports. All games on ABC 2 will be called ESPN on ABC. The graphics will say ESPN with a little bug on the screen showing the ABC logo.
The marquee games of the week for the top 25 will all air on the ESPN family of networks (that now includes ABC 2), CBS 13, TBS, FSN (which can be seen on CSN) and ESPN regional TV (which can be seen on MASN).
Still can’t find your favorite team? Go to the Web. There, you can look at ESPN 360, CSTV and, of course, your favorite school’s site. In most cases, what you will find is everything from live game coverage to streaming audio of the games to the simple game tracker, which gives you a written play-by-play.
Some of these sites require a sign-up fee, so check them out first to see what the best value is. CSTV and ESPN will offer subscription services that give you the live game or live audio in some cases.
Both XM and SIRIUS have extensive college football packages worth checking out. XM has the Big Ten, PAC-10, ACC and Big East. Meanwhile, SIRIUS has a number of the top 25 schools signed, plus plenty of major and smaller colleges.
Local radio
» Maryland: 1300 ESPN Radio/105.7 WHFS-FM
» Navy: 1090 WBAL-AM
» Towson: 89.7 WTMD-FM
» Morgan State: 88.9 WEAA-FM and its Web site
» Johns Hopkins: Web site has game tracker and home game audio
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
Jim Williams, The Examiner
Sep 2, 2006 5:00 AM (4 hrs ago)
Current rank: # 5 of 5,505 articles
BALTIMORE - Starting this weekend and going on through January, there will be more than 1,000 games available on TV. Whether your favorite team is Maryland or Texas Christian, if you have a TV (with cable) and a computer, you are good to go.
Local Maryland fans can watch the Terps on Comcast tape delay starting Sunday night with the opener against William & Mary. Comcast will also do Ralph Friedgen’s coach show, which will air every Friday night during the season. Also, starting on Sept. 8, “Ralph Friedgen Report” can be seen on SportsNite every Wednesday night.
Mid-Atlantic Sports Network starts their football coverage this weekend with Marshall at West Virginia at 3:30 p.m. Navy games will be seen live on CSTV, with local favorites Pete Medhurst and former Maryland quarterback Scott Zolak handling the broadcast duties.
Remember this: Starting today, there will no longer be an ABC Sports. All games on ABC 2 will be called ESPN on ABC. The graphics will say ESPN with a little bug on the screen showing the ABC logo.
The marquee games of the week for the top 25 will all air on the ESPN family of networks (that now includes ABC 2), CBS 13, TBS, FSN (which can be seen on CSN) and ESPN regional TV (which can be seen on MASN).
Still can’t find your favorite team? Go to the Web. There, you can look at ESPN 360, CSTV and, of course, your favorite school’s site. In most cases, what you will find is everything from live game coverage to streaming audio of the games to the simple game tracker, which gives you a written play-by-play.
Some of these sites require a sign-up fee, so check them out first to see what the best value is. CSTV and ESPN will offer subscription services that give you the live game or live audio in some cases.
Both XM and SIRIUS have extensive college football packages worth checking out. XM has the Big Ten, PAC-10, ACC and Big East. Meanwhile, SIRIUS has a number of the top 25 schools signed, plus plenty of major and smaller colleges.
Local radio
» Maryland: 1300 ESPN Radio/105.7 WHFS-FM
» Navy: 1090 WBAL-AM
» Towson: 89.7 WTMD-FM
» Morgan State: 88.9 WEAA-FM and its Web site
» Johns Hopkins: Web site has game tracker and home game audio
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer.
Examiner
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