Fang's Bites

Getting The Wednesday Linkage In

Let’s do the Wednesday links while I can. It’s going to get busy the next couple of days as I try to wrap things up for the 4th of July weekend so blogging may get sparse through the weekend. Just giving you a heads up.

Here are the links for this Wednesday.

Michael Hiestand of USA Today says ESPN is going all out for the Women’s World Cup whether we like it or not.

Karolos Grohmann of Reuters reports that General Electric has pledged to sponsor the Olympic Games through 2020 as part of the deal that kept the US media rights with NBC.

Lindsay Powers of the Hollywood Reporter writes that Tiger Woods has signed his first endorsement deal since his marital troubles began in November 2009.

John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable says the NFL wants Congress to leave the silly TV blackout rules in place.

Tim Baysinger of B&C notes that Fox Soccer received its highest audience ever for last Saturday’s Gold Cup Final between the US and Mexico.

Mike Reynolds at Multichannel News notes the improved ratings for TNT halfway through its NASCAR season.

Mike also recaps the ESPN/espnW Women’s World Cup viewing party in New York’s Times Square on Tuesday.

Mike discusses NBC Sports Group providing full coverage of the Tour de France.

Adweek’s Anthony Crupi says the NBA playoffs steered TNT to a cable ratings win in the 2nd quarter of this year.

Tim Nudd of Adweek really likes DirecTV’s Football Cops ad starring Peyton and Eli Manning.

At the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Dave Kindred provides a lesson on just who Grantland Rice was and why he’s so revered.

Robert Niles of the Online Journalism Review at USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism looks at the limits of free speech citing ESPN’s Jemele Hill defending David Tyree’s anti-gay marriage stance.

SportsGrid has video of Charles Barkley visiting the Sportsnet One booth during last night’s Pittsburgh-Toronto game.

SportsGrid’s Glenn Davis wonders if ESPN’s Robert Flores was caught napping on the job today.

SportsNewser’s Cam Martin writes that video game producer EA Sports plans to build a new studio in Texas.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell speaks with Nike’s CEO and President Charlie Denson on a myriad of sports business topics.

SportsbyBrooks is reporting that former Indiana and Texas A&M coach Bob Knight is preventing ESPN from hiring former Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl as an analyst. I didn’t know coach Knight wielded that much power.

Andrew Gauthier of TV Spy notes the return of Len Berman to the Today Show this morning. And no one got hurt!

The lovely Kristi Dosh of the Business of College Sports explains how she got into the sports blogging business.

Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times reviews USA Network’s new football-based series.

Newsday’s Neil Best says Derek Jeter haters will like one new internet product that allows them to ignore the Yankees shortstop.

Ken Schott at the Schenectady Gazette says tonight’s Red Sox-Phillies game originally scheduled for ESPN2 will now be seen on the ESPN mothership.

Ken says New York’s Capital Region will be blacked out on July 8 when Bob Costas and Al Michaels team up to call their first baseball game ever.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union writes that NBC golf reporter Dottie Pepper reaches out to the community when she’s back home.

Evan Weiner in the New Jersey Newsroom says handouts to sports owners are not a good thing.

John George of the Philadelphia Business Journal says MLB Network’s Mitch Williams will be seen on a DIY Network show.

Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog recaps a visit from consumer advocate Ralph Nader to the WaPo offices to discuss sports coverage and a new venture he’s helping to organize.

Graham Cawthorn of the Shelby (NC) Star looks at ESPN wanting to stream the American Legion World Series.

Danny Aller of the Albany (GA) Herald says Braves fans will finally be able to watch Peachtree TV games through the Fox Sports South affiliate.

Joel Hammond of Crain’s Cleveland Business says the Browns will launch a nightly radio show on the market’s dominant sports radio station.

Steve Brandt of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says local officials are denying that there’s a potential bid for the 2020 Olympics in the works.

The Syracuse (NE) Journal-Democrat reports that ESPN3 will stream all games of the American Legion World Series under a new four year contract.

Andrew Blankstein of the Los Angeles Times says former Chicago Sun-Times writer Jay Mariotti must stand trial on stalking and assault charges.

The Elk Grove (CA) Citizen notes that a local high school rejected ESPN’s request to air a football game this season.

Bruce Dowbiggin of the Toronto Globe and Mail talks about HBO hitting the ice once again next season.

Sports Media Watch says NASCAR on TNT’s ratings were up again this past weekend.

Steve Lepore at Puck The Media says viewership for the NHL Draft was up from last year.

The Big Lead wonders if NASCAR fired an in-house blogger for mentioning Kyle Busch’s marital problems.

That’s all for now.

Bringing The Sunday Linkage

Even with a visit from my sister, her husband and their dog, I still have some time to provide the Sunday linkage. I think this is the first time in quite some time that I’ve been able to provide linkage on both weekend days. Once again, I’m still in a holding pattern not knowing if I’m being booted from this server or if I have to go to another site. There are several places I’m considering for the next home of Fang’s Bites if things don’t work out here. I’ll keep you posted.

To the linkage.

Milton Kent of Fanhouse talks with ESPN’s Chris McKendry who is hosting at the Australian Open.

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News looks at Versus picking up rights to the National Lacrosse League.

The great college basketball writer Kevin McNamara of the Providence Journal looks at the effect of ESPN’s deal with the University of Texas.

Brittany Lyte of the Connecticut Post writes that ESPN filmed the opening of its Super Bowl coverage at a local blacksmith shop. Seriously.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman correctly gets on ESPN’s Tom Jackson for his silly explanation of his Patriots prediction last week.

Newsday’s Neil Best provides some of the best from his blog in the previous week.

Dr. Gloom and Doom at the New York Post decides that hating the entire world works for him.

From the New Jersey Newsroom, Evan Weiner feels ESPN will finally get some real competition from Comcast/NBC.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner talks with Hall of Fame hockey announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick about the NHL All-Star Game.

Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post’s DC Sports Bog says the Capitals might have received a ratings bounce thanks to HBO’s 24/7 series.

David O’Brien from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that Peachtree TV is outsourcing production of its 45 Braves games to Fox Sports South effectively ending Turner Sports’ long relationship with the team.

In a related story, Kristi E. Swartz of the AJC notes that Turner is turning over management of Peachtree TV to the local CBS affiliate.

The Dallas Morning News picks up a story from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Ray Buck on the new University of Texas/ESPN network.

Mike Baldwin of the Daily Oklahoman notes that ESPN’s Dick Vitale will be honored as part of an award handed to the nation’s top freshman college basketball player.

Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press says the ESPN deal to form a TV network based on the University of Texas sets a bad precedent in college sports.

Eric Weddle from the Lafayette (IN) Journal Courier looks at ESPN’s visit to the Purdue campus for College GameDay.

Bob Wolfley from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says ESPN has had plenty of coverage on the NFC Championship Game this morning.

Bob has Joe Buck’s storylines heading into today’s NFC Championship Game.

Philip Hersh of the Chicago Tribune provides this tribute to the late Olympic documentarian Bud Greenspan.

Also from the Tribune, Phil Rosenthal notes that unlike the 1985 Chicago Bears, not too many present day Bears have endorsement deals.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the video of a local TV reporter getting hurt at a motorcross live shot, and his fellow reporters laughing away.

The Sports Media Watch says Onion SportsDome’s second outing did progressively worse in the ratings.

SMW has its Weekend Ratings Predictions.

The Big Lead has the video of the announcer on the USA-Chile soccer friendly making a Black Eyed Peas reference.

Glenn Davis at SportsGrid has audio of WFAN’s Mike Francesa being totally clueless on UFC. I just shake my head.

And I think I’ll end it there. Enjoy your Championship Sunday.

Tuesday Night Linkage

Now that I’ve had some sashimi for dinner and totally satisfied, it’s time for me to give you some linkage this Tuesday night.

Be prepared for an NSFW link, but that comes at the end of the post. Let’s do some regular sports media linkage now.

The Sports Media Watch has the final weekend ratings. And the Sports Media Watch has a look inside the ratings for three events from the weekend.

Awful Announcing says Turner Sports plans to pay tribute to the late Skip Caray on TNT, TBS and Peachtree TV over the next seven days.

John Donovan of Sports Illustrated pays tribute to Skip.

Ken McMillan of the Hudson Valley Times Herald-Record says while New York Football Giants voice Bob Papa is in Communist China calling Olympic boxing for NBC, Nets voice Chris Carrino will pinch hit in his place.

Eric Fisher and Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Daily/Sports Business Journal write that NBC expects that cycling, equestrian and wrestling to perform well in the online portion of its Olympics coverage.

Diego Vasquez of Media Life Magazine talks with a programming expert on NBC’s chances to win the ratings with the Olympics. Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life writes that global ad spending on the Games is up compared with four years ago.

Jeff Lee of the Canwest News Service says CBC’s Olympic feeds won’t be made available to Canada’s Olympic House as the Communist Chinese goverment has pulled the plug.

Access Hollywood Executive Producer Rob Silverstein is blogging about his visit to the Olympics in Communist China for TV Week.

Jonathan Zimmerman writing an Op-ed piece in the San Francisco Chronicle suggests Americans boycott watching the Olympics.

The Kansas City Star’s Jeffrey Flanagan says the NFL Hall of Fame Game outrated the Royals on Sunday.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the Tigers are heating up the ratings for FSN despite the team’s struggles.

Larry Barrett of Multichannel News says the Mets have hit a ratings home run for SNY. Larry writes that Monday night’s loss to Texas was the highest rated Yankees game of the year on YES.

Ian R. Rapoport of the Birmingham (AL) News reports ESPN’s College Gameday show will be live in Atlanta, site of the Alabama-Clemson game on August 30.

Seth Emerson of The State says FSN South has reached an agreement with ISP Sports to show University of South Carolina sports on SportSouth.

ESPN Regional Television has announced the field for the 2008 Anaheim Classic, a Thanksgiving holiday college basketball tournament.

Ira Teinowitz of TV Week writes that more than 100 college coaches are urging the NCAA to ban alcohol advertisting during college sports broadcasts.

W. Scott Bailey of the San Antonio Business Journal reports that Fox Sports Radio launches a new fantasy football show featuring a former San Antonio sports radio program director as host.

DirecTV will offer four dedicated channels to the PGA Championship starting this Thursday.

Jeff Richgels of the Capital (WI) Times says ESPN will air the World Series of Poker Europe for the first time this year.

And now your NSFW link. The US TV networks have rejected an ad for Calvin Klein’s Secret Obsession fragrance because it’s too racy. Any time I can link to an ad with a nekkid Eva Mendes, I’m going to take that opportunity. Click on “experience the uncensored tv commercial” and you’ll be all set.

That is all.

Thursday’s Linkage

First, Newsday’s Neil Best says a gambling website is taking wagers on various NFL Network issues. And he says the length of Yankees-Red Sox games is testing his patience. Neil also lists the times of games for Yankees-Red Sox from 2006.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times writes Comcast is reaching out to NBC Sports veteran producer Michael Weisman to improve the quality of its shows on its various sports networks.

Let’s get some stuff from CNBC’s Darren Rovell who’s been busy blogging this week. First, Darren says Wachovia is the big loser on the PGA Tour as it was banking on Tiger Woods participating in its tournament, but it won’t happen as Tiger will undergo knee surgery and will miss it. Darren explains how you can get NBA season tickets next season for a bargain price of $43. And Darren finds out who will represent Memphis’ Derrick Rose for his NBA contract negotiations.

The Sports Media Watch says while NHL ratings are hardly making a dent nationally, hockey is burning up the ratings in local markets.

And as evidence, Jim Williams of the DC/Baltimore Examiner says the Washington Capitals are a big hit on Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic in both the DC and Baltimore markets.

Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says the early blowout of the Minnesota Wild in Game 4 of its series with Colorado brought the ratings down for FSN North.

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that FSN Pittsburgh is trying to meet the demand for more games in HD.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has the media quote of the day for Wednesday.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel News says ESPNU has a new vice president and GM. Reynolds writes in his blog that despite spending over $1 billion a year for Monday Night Football, ESPN did not get a great schedule of games this season.

This story came out on Monday, but I could not link to it as it was done by the John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal and it was formally announced last night on NESN. Well, the Boston Business Journal picks up John’s story about MSG Network teaming with NESN to televise the Little League Baseball New England and Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournaments.

As regional sports networks get more baseball games, we’re hearing more about cable providers not buying into the entire schedule. This has happened with the Seattle Mariners as FSN Northwest has 150 games, but cable companies in Alaska and Idaho have bought just 110 games. One Alaskan cable company has reached a deal with FSN Northwest for the full schedule of Mariners games according to the Anchorage Daily News. Kansas City Royals fans in Nebraska and Kansas are seeing a similar situation with Cox Communications balking at FSN’s price and now we’re hearing about St. Louis Cardinals fans being shortchanged of FSN Midwest’s entire 130 game schedule. Michelle Koetters of the Bloomington (IL) Pentagraph says Comcast has purchased only 110 games leaving fans blacked out of 20 games including tonight’s game against the Brewers. The Peoria (IL) Journal-Star lists the blackouts for the season.

Josh Hoke of the Myrtle Beach (SC) Sun News reports that Peachtree TV has reached an agreement with a local cable provider to put 42 Atlanta Braves games on local TV.

Chris Koseluk of the Hollywood Reporter marks 50 years of the Dodgers in Los Angeles including discussing announcer Vin Scully’s impact on the market and the players who have gone into acting with the team so close to Hollywood.

Awful Announcing has ESPN’s Joe Morgan offering nothing. Again.

Friend of Fang’s Bites, LC of the 38Cliches blog is happy to hear some announcing consistency in the Shaw’s WRKO/WEEI/Entercom Boston Red Sox Radio Network.

William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail writes that a new viewership survey means good news for TSN and bad news for Rogers Sportsnet.

Debbie Arrington of the Sacramento Bee says the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs will be seen ten times on local television.

That’s all for now. Back later.

Monday Monday

First off, I wanted to apologize for not being able to provide Sunday links. I worked until 2 a.m. Monday and was not able to get the links done. But I’m here now and I’ll provide links for today.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says blowouts in the NCAA Tournament hurt CBS’ ratings.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell says CBS is happy not to have Davidson in the Final Four. And Darren is in Day Sixteen of his Minor League Baseball Logo Contest.

Newsday’s Neil Best says CBS analyst Clark Kellogg went four for four in his Final Four picks. And he says the YES Network has produced an extra long opening for today’s Yankees game.

Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun writes in his Medium Well blog that there’s too much manlove for Tyler Hansbrough.

Phil Mushnick of the New York Post feels CBS depends too much on graphics during the NCAA Tournament.

David Barron from the Houston Chronicle writes in his blog that local ratings for the NCAA Tournament are down. And Barron has a story on CBS’ Billy Packer who will work his 100th Final Four game.

Chris Pursell of TV Week says ratings for the NCAA Tournament are down.

Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press talks with native Screamin’ Gus Johnson of CBS about his rock star status as an NCAA Tournament play-by-play man.

Dan Caesar of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch laments the loss of the Atlanta Braves on TBS.

Mike Tankersley of the Montgomery (AL) Advertiser says Charter Communications and Knology cable will both carry 45 Braves games televised by Peachtree TV. Chuck Williams of the Columbus (GA) Ledger-Enquirer says Braves fans enter a whole new world with three outlets broadcasting the games instead of just TBS.

John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News says FSN Bay Area will be no more as of noon local time today.

Mets fans in Hartford will finally be able to watch SNY as the Courant tells us.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says Major League Baseball is trying to expand its presence in Communist China.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has some pictures from Saturday’s Red Sox-Dodgers charity exhibition game at the LA Coliseum.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch feels Jose Canseco is reaching with his latest steroids book.

Laura Nachman has the Opening Day schedule for the Phillies on Comcast SportsNet and KYW-TV.

Seth Stevenson of Slate.com wonders if ESPN’s new ad campaign for Fantasy Baseball spoofing soap operas is a good thing.

Karl Greenberg of Mediapost’s Marketing Daily says MLB will unveil new Public Service Announcements today.

Dusty Saunders of the Rocky Mountain News says Fox and ESPN are virtually ignoring the Colorado Rockies in the first weeks of the MLB regular season.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball says Comcast will offer the MLB Extra Innings package in HD, just in time for Opening day.

Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media blog calls out Brent Musberger for saying he hadn’t called a baseball game since 1995. And I challenge this as well.

The Sports Media Watch has the weekend ratings predictions. And the SMW mentions that ESPN’s John Anderson becomes the next SportsCenter personality to have a show on ABC.

The Toronto Star’s Chris Zelkovich likes having an on-ice analyst on NHL games.

Mary Thurwachter of the Palm Beach (FL) Post profiles former NBC announcer Sam Nover who’s in a second career as an insurance adviser and marketing director.

Lastly, I ask that you go over and support a friend of mine who has created a fan site for actress and hottie Reiko Aylesworth who played Michelle Dessler-Almeida on 24. Just go over there and hit it a couple of times. I appreciate it.

That’s it for now. Thanks for your patience.

A Friday Update

Let’s give you some more links on this getaway Friday.

The voting for Darren Rovell’s Minor League Baseball Logo Contest has reached the Final Four. Darren wants you to vote for one finalist today.

Newsday’s Neil Best has been blogging like crazy today, this despite being on a vacation. But that’s ok. I’m always glad to give you fresh material. He has video from Wednesday in which WFAN’s Mike & the Mad Dog were discussing draining the snake at baseball games. This went on for five hours, I kid you not. Neil says CBS’ 60 Minutes will have an interview with baseball crackpot Bill James this Sunday. Neil reports that 1050 ESPN Radio has signed YES analyst David Cone to be a regular guest with Michael Kay. Neil says Mr. Steroids, Jose Canseco, will be a guest on the Late Show with David Letterman on Monday. And Neil tells us that CBS’ Sunday Morning program will look at

Scott Burgess of the Detroit News says Pontiac is a big winner thanks to its extensive sponsorship of the NCAA Tournament and one benefit is that CBS won’t mention stadia and arenas that are sponsored like Ford Field where the Midwest Regional is being played.

Screamin’ Gus Johnson of CBS Sports! March Madness! talks with SI.com’s Extra Mustard blog. Gus also speaks with Spencer Hall of the Sporting News.

The Big Lead has Charles Barkley going after Skip Bayless, Jay Mariotti and Mike Lupica during an interview with Dan LeBatard on 790 The Ticket in Miami.

If you’re a Verizon Wireless subscriber and have a V Cast phone, you’ll be able to listen to ESPN Radio.

Greg Wyshynski of the AOL Fanhouse blog says it appears that the NHL is not going to be returning to ESPN (thanks to Greg to linking to Fang’s Bites in his story).

Broadcast Engineering looks at ESPNews launching in HD this Sunday.

Anne Thompson of Variety says sports-themed documentaries and movies are doing well on the internet.

The Huntington (WV) Herald-Dispatch says CBS Sports golf analyst Gary McCord will be at the Huntington Classic in July.

Jeff Richgels of the Capital (WI) Times supports the Sirius-XM satellite radio merger saying it’s good for the sports fan and if you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that I agree.

Michael Zuidema of the Grand Rapids (MI) Press talks with FSN Detroit’s Mario Impemba who goes into his 7th year of calling Tigers cames for the network.

Tim Tucker of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Peachtree TV, the former TBS in Atlanta, hopes to make a splash carrying 45 Braves games this season. Mark Tankersley of the Montgomery (AL) Advertiser says the 45 games from Peachtree TV will be picked up by Charter Communications locally.

Liz Farmer of the Maryland Daily Record says MASN and Comcast are headed back to court.

Christine McConville of the Boston Herald says former Red Sox outfielder and current NESN analyst Jim Rice is launching a blog. If you want to head over to Jim’s blog, the link is here.

Chris Reidy of the Boston Globe says NESN’s Jerry Remy will continue to be the on-air spokesman for Sovereign Bank ads on Red Sox games.

Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram talks to the voice of the New England Surge of the Continental Indoor Football League. To be honest, I didn’t know this league existed.

Keep it here for Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks, Weekend Viewing Picks and a Friday night update before I end blogging for the day. Keep your RSS feeds updated.

If It’s Friday, It Must Be The Megalinks

Yes, it’s Friday, I have a dentist appointment and it’s time for me to do some links. Let’s get started.

This weekend, the NCAA Tournament continues as the Sweet Sixteen will be reduced to the Elite Eight tonight. And after Sunday, we’ll have the Final Four. CBS has your coverage of the Mens’ NCAA Tournament throughout the weekend.

The NCAA Women’s Tournament is also in its Sweet Sixteen and the ESPN family of networks will have coverage starting on Saturday.

The PGA Tour is in New Orleans for the Zurich Classic. The Golf Channel will conclude its early round coverage today, then NBC Sports picks up on Saturday at 3 p.m.

NASCAR’s Sprint Cup took the Easter holiday off and is back with a vengeance on Sunday with the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 (just how does NASCAR come up with these names?) on Fox at 1:30 p.m.

The NBA continues with the Bulls taking on Milwaukee on WGN Saturday night and a Texas two step of Houston facing San Antonio on ABC Sunday at 1 p.m.

And the NHL has its playoff push, NBC showing the Rangers and Pittsburgh for the umpteenth time this season on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

As always, we begin with Michael Hiestand of USA Today. He says NBC Sports should ignore Tibet and other political issues when covering the Olympics in Communist China. Here’s your sports on TV for the weekend.

This week we’ll go East to West. No time for playing around.

East and Mid-Atlantic

Nancy Marrapese-Burrell of the Boston Globe talks with ESPN’s John Buccigross who realizes a dream as he gets to call the NCAA Hockey Tournament this weekend for ESPNU.

From the New York Post, Phil Mushnick predicts that the Mets’ Billy Wagner will say something he will regret during his weekly interviews on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York. Also from the Post, Justin Terranova talks with SNY’s Ron Darling about the Mets’ chances this season. And Justin has five questions for the Shark, Jerry Tarkanian about the NCAA Tournament.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman is a bit leery about SNY’s plans to take phone calls during Mets games. That’s right, during Mets games.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times doesn’t like SNY’s new late afternoon lineup of talk shows. And Sandomir has a blurb on TBS Sports’ announcing lineup for its Sunday MLB games.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union has the tip times for Saturday’s NCAA Tournament games.

Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun says MASN’s Gary Thorne and Buck Martinez will be doing double duty this season for other networks.

South

Doug Nye of The State writes that Time Warner Cable is confident that it will pick up 45 Atlanta Braves games that will be on Peachtree TV.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says a local sports radio station is shuffling its lineup.

Dave Darling of the Orlando Sentinel wonders why the WWE is still popular.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says CBS’ Jim Nantz and Billy Packer will be looking up at the court tonight at Reliant Stadium.

Ray Buck in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes about an experimental 3-D HD telecast.

Mel Bracht of the Oklahoman says baseball fans will have plenty of viewing options this season. Mel has his media notebook which includes a blurb on ESPN interviewing coaching buddies Bill Parcells, Bob Knight and Tony La Russa this Sunday. And Mel has his viewing picks for the weekend.

Midwest

The Chicago Tribune’s Teddy Greenstein talks with ESPN’s Brent Musberger who will call the Cubs season opener on Monday. And Teddy has his top five viewing picks.

George M. Thomas of the Akron Beacon Journal says AT&T U-Verse customers won’t get Sports Time Ohio in HD.

Bob Wolfley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel talks about ESPN2 picking up the Brewers opener against the Cubs.

From the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Judd Zulgad writes that FSN North will be able to interview Minnesota Twins players immediately following a loss.

Paul Christian in the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin says it’s time for baseball to take over your TV and radio.

Jeffrey Flanagan of the Kansas City Star says CBS’ Kevin Harlan was not being a homer for the University of Kansas during the NCAA Tournament last weekend.

West

Scott D. Pierce of the Deseret (UT) Morning News likes CBS’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament.

The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Jay Posner talks with the new producer of Padres games on Cox 4. Posner for some reason is not credited for his media notebook this week, but believe me, it’s his and he writes about ESPN’s Jamele Hill laughing at Chargers’ Shawne Merriman for having his car stolen and torched. And here are the ratings from San Diego from last weekend.

John Maffei of the North County Times writes that an affiliate switch in San Diego will cause confusion for viewers looking for Fox Sports programming.

Christine Daniels from the Los Angeles Times has her weekly Sound and Vision column.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has Hall of Fame Dodgers announcer Vin Scully recalling his broadcast perch at the Coliseum where the Red Sox and Dodgers will play an exhibition game this weekend. In his Farther Off the Wall blog, Hoffarth has his extensive media notes and he has a picture of where Scully used to broadcast games from the LA Coliseum.

Canada

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star talks with Blue Jays TV analyst Rance Mulliniks who picks his team to win the World Series. Ok.

William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail has Don Cherry condemning the incident in which former goalie Patrick Roy cheered his son to fight during a Junior League game last week.

Blogs

Awful Announcing has the video of a switching glitch during last night’s NCAA Tournament action.

And in that technical glitch, Christopher Byrne of the Eye on Sports Media blog noticed someone familiar.

Joe Favorito talks about social networking and Gillette reaching for the stars in his Sports Marketing and Public Relations blog.

The Sports Media Journal is now in the Final Four of its Sports Radio Madness contest.

That should do it for now. I’ll be back later with an update.

Late Wednesday/Early Thursday Update

Some links for you on this late Wednesday night heading into early Thursday morning.

Larry Barrett of Multichannel News says NESN pulled primetime numbers in the early morning for the Red Sox opener on Tuesday against the A’s. Also from Multichannel, Mike Reynolds writes that Sports Time Ohio has added four cable systems to its HD lineup. And Reynolds says Golf Channel will offer a new reality series this summer.

Toni Fitzgerald of Media Life Magazine says the NCAA Tournament saw lower ratings on CBS due to the early Easter holidays this year. Diego Vasquez of Media Life says the NHL on Versus is suddenly red hot.

Some network press releases for you.

NBC Sports talks about this Sunday’s NHL featured game, the New York Rangers taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins. And the NBC Golf Tour heads to New Orleans this weekend.

CBS Sports says it will run its third “Jim Nantz Remembers” special on April 13, just before the final round of The Masters. CBS says March Madness on Demand traffic is up 129% from last year and has surpassed all of last year’s totals.

ESPN says coaching buddies Bob Knight, Tony La Russa and Bill Parcells will take part on the Sunday Conversation on SportsCenter, March 30.

Westwood One Radio says it will have exclusive coverage of the NCAA Frozen Four coming up, April 10-13.

Ken Schott of the Schenectady Gazette gives us some TV and radio hockey (both pro and college) notes in his blog.

Rick Bentley of the Fresno Bee say both ESPN and Comcast equally share in the blame for not having the Fresno State women’s basketball team on this past Saturday.

David Clemons of the Sand Mountain (AL) Reporter says the 45 Atlanta Braves games slated for Peachtree TV have been placed on Charter Communications locally.

That’s it until the morning.

Time for the Wednesday Links

Let’s give you some more links this morning.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says scheduling the games in the NCAA Tournament is not an easy task for CBS.

Robyn Norwood of the Los Angeles Times talks with Bob Knight about his ESPN work and his promotion of the March Mega Madness package on DirecTV.

Neil Best of Newsday tells us that ESPN’s Baseball Tonight program will be live from Yankee Stadium on Opening Day.

Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun writes in his Medium Well blog about the appearance of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the Colbert Report and Maryland announcer Johnny Holliday being hip with the times.

John Ryan from the San Jose Mercury News says CBS will make sure every market will get NCAA Tournament games in HD.

Katy Bachman of Mediaweek says CBS Radio and CBS College Sports are teaming up to form an NCAA Tournament website.

Fritz Nelson of InformationWeek says the March Madness on Demand online feature for the NCAA Tournament is the future of TV.

Mike Brudenell of the Detroit Free Press writes that FSN Detroit has new deals in place with the Pistons, Red Wings and Tigers that will go into the next decade.

John Boyette from the Augusta (GA) Chronicle says Atlanta Braves fans will be able to see all of the team’s games thanks to an agreement between Comcast and Peachtree TV.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell is now in Day 8 of his Minor League Baseball Logo Contest. And Darren has a special logo runoff.

Matt Egan of Fox Business News says the NBA helped to fill the sports void in February and the TV ratings prove it.

Stepfanie Romine of the Cincinnati Enquirer profiles former ESPN SportsCenter Betsy Ross who now runs a sports public relations and marketing firm.

Those are your links for now.

Your Sunday Morning Blog

As we get ready for Selection Sunday, let me give you some linkage. And thanks to The Big Lead for linking to this site yesterday. Patrick Imig wrote about the Sports Emmy Award nominations and he had a problem with a few of them. Much appreciated. Any time a major sports blog links to here, the traffic is always welcome. Thanks, Patrick. And don’t forget to visit The Big Lead which is listed in the Friends of Fang’s Bites section.

Let’s get to your links, shall we?

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times is another media critic who praises ESPN’s Black Magic documentary.

The New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman talks with Steven A. Smith who has put his fate in ESPN’s hands.

Newsday’s Neil Best talks with tennis analyst extraordinaire John McEnroe and former U.S. soccer star Julie Foudy about their second careers in TV. Very good article (not that Neil needs my praise). And Neil has more from Julie in his blog. Neil also has some quotes from NBC Sports’ golf analysts on Tiger Woods. Finally, Neil has a transcript of an old Kiner’s Korner interview with Mets outfielder Lenny Dykstra and his mom.

SI.com picks up an Associated Press story which says CBS almost moved the Big Ten Tournament final up to 1 p.m. ET today to accomodate the SEC Final. As you know, it didn’t happen.

Jim Williams of the DC/Baltimore Examiner previews today’s action starting with the SEC Final on ESPN2.

Steve Edelson of the Ashbury Park (NJ) Press writes about ESPN basketball analyst Doris Burke who does great work whether it be on the sidelines or analyzing a game at mid-court.

Barry Janoff of Brandweek writes that the NCAA Tournament has become a marketer’s dream.

From the Daytona Beach (FL) News Journal, Bright House cable has come to an agreement with a local CBS affiliate in time for March Madness.

The Topeka (KA) Capital-Journal talks with broadcaster Fred White about what could be his last gig ever, the Big 12 Tournament.

Mike Tankersley from the Montgomery (AL) Advertiser says it’s still not known if the 45 Atlanta Braves games that will be carried by Peachtree TV will be seen on all cable systems in Alabama.

The Surviving Grady blog laments the loss of Tina Cervasio from Red Sox broadcasts.

Luis Arroyave of the Chicago Tribune talks with Alyssa Milano about her MLB clothing line and her work for TBS Hot Corner during the playoffs last year. Don’t mind the headline, it’s a bit misleading.

John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News says FSN Bay Area had one of those no-win situations when it switched from a girls high school championship game to a Sharks-Blues game.

Newy Scruggs (yes, that’s his name) has a transcript of his interview with TNT’s Charles Barkley in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

David Exum of the Boston Herald writes that after today’s Food City 500 race, Dale Jarrett will be moving over to ESPN permanently. He’s already called some races for the network last month.

That’s all for now. Enjoy Selection Sunday

Monday Morning Links

Let’s give you the Monday links today.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand talks about Speedo Guy from the North Carolina-Duke game and other things seen on TV over the weekend.

This is great. Neil Best of Newsday is now big enough that there is now a parody website in his honor. Neil is a bit shocked.

Ian Begley of the New York Daily News looks at ESPN’s new documentary, Black Magic which airs next Monday. And Vic Ziegel from the Daily News gives his thoughts on the documentary as well.

We have Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times talking about the weekend in televised sports in his Two Cents blog.

Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball blog reports that Major League Baseball is now going after the Cape Cod League on a copyright dispute.

Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says the CBC’s Elliotte Friedman is one of the best sideline reporters in the business.

Teddy Greenstein has an article on ESPN’s Erin Andrews. Also from the Tribune, Paul Sullivan talks with Cubs Chairman Crane Kenney who’s happy to see more games go to Comcast SportsNet at the expense of WGN-TV.

John Boyette from the Augusta (GA) Chronicle says Braves fans outside of Atlanta are angry they can’t see 45 games that will be on Peachtree TV.

Joe Favorito talks about an Oregon doctor who’s doing a rather unusual March Madness promotion.

The Central Valley Business Times reports that March Madness will cost businesses $1.7 billion in lost worker productivity.

Jack Neff of Advertising Age says a documentary on Olympic hopefils will produce many Kleenex moments.

The Springfield Republican is mad at Comcast SportsNet New England for making fun of Athol.

Luke DeCock of the Raleigh (NC) News & Observer says the NHL Network will cost extra for NHL Center Ice Time Warner Cable subscribers.

Some good news and bad news from The L Word. First, the good news, Showtime has renewed the show for a 6th season. But the bad news it will be its last.

That’s it for now.