Fang's Bites

Some Sunday Morning Media Thoughts

I haven’t done a sports media thoughts post in a while and there has been so much that has transpired since the last time I wrote one. As always, they’re in bullet form. Let’s do this.

• Just four days into the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs and I like how the networks of NBC are handling the games. With CNBC, NHL Network and NBC Sports Network airing the games, fans can now choose which contest he or she wants to watch. My only pet peeves, there should be more updates on games on other networks. At least give us a drop down menu from the scoreboard bug to update us. Also, I wish NBC Sports Network and CNBC would not rely on simulcasts from CBC, TSN or Comcast SportsNet affiliates. Versus under the old Comcast ownership could get away with it, but not NBC. NHL Network can pull off the simulcasts because its talent is focused on the studio, but not on NBC Sports Network or CNBC. I know there are a lot of games in the first round, but at least try to produce what’s on your network instead of depending on others to do the work for you, especially for games played in the United States.

• To ESPN’s free agent crop and we know that former First Take co-host Dana Jacobsen has already left the Alleged Worldwide Leader. Michelle Beadle could be the next to go. Her representatives are now free to talk with other networks after her exclusive negotiating period with ESPN lapsed on Friday. I think she’s leaving, but exactly where is the $64,000 question. Based on her interview with The Big Lead, one could intelligently wager that one of her potential targets is a morning show like Today or Good Morning America. I honestly don’t think sports is in her long-term plans, although one never knows.

  As far as the other free agents Erin Andrews and Scott Van Pelt, I tend to think both will remain at ESPN. For Erin, her best chance to leave was two years ago. Her options are a bit more limited now. Scott Van Pelt enjoys doing radio and I think he’ll remain at ESPN as CBS’ radio options are not national and NBC doesn’t have radio resources.

• If Fox Sports gets its rumored cable sports network off the ground, it’ll be welcomed by your humble blogger. It would have plenty of inventory with Big 12 and Pac-12 college sports. In addition, if Fox expands its NASCAR inventory, it could place Sprint Cup races on the network. UFC events could go there as well. And there’s always the big wild card that’s up for bid this year, MLB and if the NFL decides to ever put a Thursday night package up for bid, Fox certainly has deep pockets to possibly make a go at ESPN. And there’s the Big East Conference whose rights are up this year as well.

  And in a related note, the announcement by Fox to give a majority of Saturday night primetime hours to sports is a smart move. Saturday nights are a dead night for the networks, although Fox did pretty well with Cops and America’s Most Wanted. Still, getting the coveted 18-49 demographic to watch MLB, NASCAR, UFC, college football and the MLB Postseason on a Saturday night is a very good move. Could this be a harbinger for Fox’s all-sports cable network? Perhaps. But if this does very well, I could see Fox potentially making this move permanent on Saturday nights. It only makes sense.

  And if Fox does really well, could other networks follow? ESPN already programs ABC during college football season. Would NBA games make a move to Saturday night? What about NBC placing the NHL during Saturday primetime to possibly market the game even further? Would CBS be interested in airing college basketball during the winter as a lead-in to “48 Hours”? In 2011, CBS aired North Carolina-Duke in primetime to great success. Would the Tiffany Network want to move games to primetime in advance of the NCAA Tournament? Fox’s move to sports in primetime is not only a Great Experiment, but also a potential for other networks to bring their inventories to a new timeslot.

• I may be one of the few who’s watching, but count me as one who enjoys viewing the NBC Sports Network’s CNBC Sports Biz: Game On! with Darren Rovell and Erin Sharoni. While Darren has alienated some with his Super Bowl party rant on Playboy Playmates and at Jaime Edmondson plus creating social media accounts for his newborn daughter and we can’t forget his Twitter feuds with Richard Deitsch, Richard Sandomir and Bomani Jones, I can look past them and enjoy his sport business show. Darren knows his stuff and has helped to make sports business a viable news beat. I’ve enjoyed the pace of Game On! and it’s obvious that Darren knows what he’s taking about. The show’s ratings could be better, but it appears NBC is committed to airing it through this year. And it’s hit its stride as the show has explored the price of tickets to the economics of the NFL and college sports.

That’s all. Enjoy your Easter Sunday.

Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop Flipping The Remote — 2011

Time to bring the annual Hot Chicks Post back again. The original post in 2007 had what can be considered a Mount Rushmore of Women on TV. In 2008, we had another strong list featuring Fang’s Bites fave Charissa Thompson and Heidi Watney. The 2009 list had Olivia Munn, Trenni Kusnierek and NFL Network’s Lindsay Soto. And last year had Trenni, Michelle Beadle and Kate Walsh.

This year, we have a new list. I like the women we have for 2011.

5. Jaime Maggio — CBS/Turner Sports

Had her coming out party during the NCAA Tournament this year on CBS and Turner Sports. She’s also working for Turner in the League Division Series. We certainly welcome more national assignments for Jaime. She’s currently working full-time with KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. Does a great job reporting on the sidelines and would love to see Jaime more in 2012.

4. Erin Sharoni — CNBC SportsBiz: Game On!

In just four shows of the new series hosted by Darren Rovell, Erin hits this list. Previously a sideline reporter for St. John’s basketball on RedStormSports.com, Erin has made quite the impression on viewers to NBC’s new sports business show on Versus. I’m quite impressed with her on-air style and her rapport with Darren. I was told that Darren wanted to get someone new and fresh for his show and he certainly did that. I predict big things for Erin down the road.

3. Jen Royle — 105.7 The Fan, Baltimore

Ok, technically Jen is not on TV right now, but she was earlier this year on MASN. She left the regional sports network before this baseball season, so in the range from last year to this year’s list, she qualifies as having been on TV. As she hosted an Orioles pregame show on 105.7 FM The Fan this season and is currently covering the Ravens, Jen is also a candidate to return to her native Boston possibly on NESN and perhaps one of the sports radio stations. New England would certainly welcome her back with open arms. And if NESN wants to bring her in to possibly replace Heidi Watney on Red Sox broadcasts (more on that in another post down the road), that would be welcomed too!

2. Tina Cervasio, MSG Network

Tina returns to the list after being on the original list in 2007. After leaving NESN in 2008, she joined MSG Network where she’s the reporter for both the Knicks of the NBA and the Red Bulls of MLS. Tina is also doing work for CBSSports.com on college football. Tina has been anchoring sports at WNYW-TV and sister station, WWOR-TV. I’ve heard rumors that Tina is about to get another gig. I don’t know where it is, but if it’s national, it’s well deserved. And Tina is lovelier than ever having seen her at Blogs with Balls 4 this year.

And here’s a pic of our #2 and #3 picks together. This comes courtesy of Jen so I thank her for giving me permission to post this.

Very lovely pic of Jen and Tina together.

1. Maggie Q — Nikita

Last year, we had our first Asian representation with Betty Nguyen of CBS News. This year, it’s Maggie Q of The CW’s Nikita. Trained in Hong Kong by Jackie Chan to become an action star, Q had a rather meteoric rise and now is the star of her own series. Not only is Maggie gorgeous, but she can also kick your ass. I respect that. In addition, she’s a strict vegetarian and a member of PETA. I’m glad in the 5th edition of this list that an Asian sister is finally number one.

And that will conclude the list for this year. Back again next year.