DVR subs achieve majority status among digital households

By Ian Olgeirson

DVR users crossed into the majority in the third quarter, albeit barely, as the tally of digital subscribers in the U.S. with the hard drive-equipped set-tops for the first time outnumbered those without the time-shifting boxes.

Perfectly Paired: Girls on the Run and FOX Sports Midwest

In March 2012, FOX Sports Midwest identified Girls on the Run as an ideal community investment partner. Girls on the Run is a rapidly-growing national non-profit that “inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident.” Its 24-lesson curriculum combines 5k training with life skills lessons to become independent thinkers, enhance problem solving skills and make healthy decisions. The grass roots organization unites girls and their parents, schools and communities. Their Spring and Fall 5k races are the largest timed 5k events in St. Louis.

It’s a perfect fit for the FOX Sports Midwest Girls, whose involvement has resulted in a significant increase in awareness of Girls on the Run. FOX Sports Midwest Girls Aimee and Kayla hosted the Girls on the Run Trivia Night on Nov. 2 and ran the Fall 5k on Nov. 17.  FOX Sports Midwest broadcasters Darren Pang, Dan McLaughlin and Pat Parris were ceremonial race starters and ran the race. FOX Sports Midwest assembled a highly-spirited spirit station on the course.

“You truly captured the joy of this event and what the girls bring to all of us. Thank you for helping to make it possible and for all you do to make this a great partnership. We are so appreciative of all that FOX Sports Midwest has done for our mission.”  - Courtney Berg, Executive Director, Girls on the Run St. Louis

Cards Live pregame feature

Spring 5k promo

Fall 5k promo

FOX Sports Midwest-produced PSA

Photos from Fall and Spring 5k races

Dodgers, Fox Sports talking $6-billion TV deal

By Bill Shaikin
November 25, 2012

Fox Sports could pay at least $6 billion to retain the Dodgers’ television rights, three parties familiar with the negotiations said Sunday.

News Corporation Completes Deal for Stake in YES Network

News Corporation Completes Deal for 49% of YES Network

By AMY CHOZICK and RICHARD SANDOMIR

November 20, 2012

8:27 p.m. | Updated

News Corporation strengthened its plans to compete more aggressively in the sports television business on Tuesday when it completed a deal worth nearly $2 billion with the YES Network, the regional channel that broadcasts New York Yankees games.

FOX Sports Florida Makes Magic During First Social Media Night

On Tuesday, November 13, FOX Sports Florida and the Orlando Magic partnered to host the first Social Media Night of the season. The broadcast served as the official in-game launch for the newly minted Magic Live Rewards program, which rewards fans of the team and broadcast by allocating points for tweeting, using Facebook, checking in on Get Glue and Four Square, and more.

News Corp. Nears Deal for YES Stake

By MATTHEW FUTTERMAN - November 14, 2012

News Corp is closing in on a deal to buy a minority stake in New York regional sports network YES, according to three people with knowledge of the negotiations.

Allie Clifton eases into new role as Cavaliers Sideline Reporter like a pro

Allie Clifton made her official debut as FOX Sports Ohio’s new Cavaliers sideline reporter on Tuesday, Oct. 30, when the Cavaliers opened their 2012-13 season at The Q with a 94-84 victory over the Wizards.

Click to watch "Off Mic" with Allie Clifton, a behind-the-scenes look at the new Cavs broadcaster.

10 Cable Sports Business Stories to Watch This Fall

November 13, 2012

By Kaylee Hultgren

In light of recent billion-dollar deals, it's clear that the sports rights market is as healthy as ever. And it shows no signs of slowing down. Whether your preferred topic is RSNs, TV Everywhere rights, or the constant, looming threat of disruption, there's plenty to talk about this fall. Here's a list of 10 stories to keep an eye out for. 

Cable Ops Make Offer You Can't Refuse

By SHALINI RAMACHANDRAN

When Georgia-based medical student Cathy Vu called Comcast Corp. CMCSA -0.15%last month to cancel her TV service and keep just Internet, she got a shock. Taking the Internet alone would cost her more, not less, a month.

Cable providers are making their Internet-only plans less attractive than their cable and Internet packages, Shalini Ramachandran reports on digits. Photo: AP Images.

Assuming she wanted to keep the same Internet speed, her bill would rise by $20 a month from what she was already paying, Comcast told her. The 23-year-old, who says she watches video mostly online, decided there was no point in canceling TV.

Tethered Together

Unbundling often doesn't pay*

• Comcast: TV + Internet for about $50/month for the first 6 months vs. standalone samespeed Internet for about $70/month.
• Verizon FiOS: TV + Internet for about $85/month (two-year contract) vs. standalone Internet for about $80/month.
• Time Warner Cable: TV + Internet for about $50/month for 12 months vs. standalone Internet for about $45/month for 12 months.

*Offers available in select markets

Source: The companies

"People are pretty much forced into buying both services, and it just doesn't make sense to me," she said.

Rapper and Reality Star T.I. Makes Debut as a Sports Broadcaster during Hawks-Heat Game on SportSouth on November 9

Recap of Social Media Reach, Ratings, and Media Coverage

How far did the word spread on Twitter?

When the T.I. announcement was jointly made by the Atlanta Hawks and SportSouth on the morning of Friday, November 9, word spread quickly and widely in the “Twittersphere,” thanks in part to retweets from T.I. (@Tip – 2.9 million followers), the NBA (6.2 million followers) and local influencers such as Ryan Cameron (V-103, @TheRealRC – 52,815 followers).   

Fall Season Brings RSN Lineup Changes

New channels, properties dot the local landscape

By: Stuart Miller 2012-11-12 00:00:00 

Regional sports networks offer local, live programming that’s so important, distributors complain to regulators when they can’t gain access to it. It’s so crucial — and expensive — that distributors increasingly are acquiring RSNs, or even starting new ones, to maintain supply and hopefully manage the costs.

ESPN homes in on 12-year BCS package

By John Ourand & Michael SmithStaff Writers

ESPN is close to securing media rights for the entire college football playoff system, with industry sources pegging the new 12-year BCS package at $500 million a year.

FOXSportsDetroit.com Drives Pumpkin Carving Contest

FOX Sports Detroit hosted a pumpkin carving contest on FOXSportsDetroit.com in October. We invited fans to submit photos of their Detroit sports carved pumpkins for three prizes - grand prize: two suite tickets to a Pistons game, second place: a signed Pistons jersey and third place: a signed Chris Osgood hockey stick.

FOX Sports Ohio and Cavs fans help legend & analyst Austin Carr join Twitter

Voters favor @MrCavalier34 and welcome AC to Twitter

 

The legendary Austin Carr, FOX Sports Ohio's Cavaliers analyst, was ready to join the Twitterverse. During the Cavs home opener on Oct. 30, the network called upon fans to vote on his Twitter handle.

NBC's Chuck Todd: Big Ten Network Ad Buys Helped Obama Win Battleground States

 

See also:

Political Campaigns Target Local Sports to Deliver Message (Sports Business Journal, 10/22)

In Late Push, Candidates Target Big Ten Network Fox Sports' RSNs drum up big business with Obama, Romney backers (Adweek, 11/5)

ESPN's Skipper on EPL: "We'll be right back at this in three years again"

(Video best viewed on a laptop or PC.)

FOX Sports Midwest helps Hoops for Hope gain national exposure

* Celebrity charity basketball game raises money, awareness for women's health

* Game aired on FOX Sports Midwest for fourth straight year; cleared on nine FOX Sports Networks in 2012

Each October, some of the biggest names in women's basketball travel to rural Southwestern Kansas. They come for the WEPAC Hoops for Hope basketball game, which raises awareness about women's health and money for cancer screenings. FOX Sports Midwest has televised the WEPAC Hoops for Hope charity game live each year since its inception in 2009.

Tip-tober Fan Photo Contest Promotes Cavs Spirit

In the final week leading up to the Cavaliers home opener, FOX Sports Ohio & the FOX Sports Ohio Girls ran the Tip-tober Fan Photo Contest.

Cavs fans had the chance to win a pair of Cavs courtside seats by showing their team spirit! To enter, they had to submit a Cavs spirit photo via Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #TiptoberFan. The approved photos were posted on FOXSportsOhio.com.

DIRECTV CEO: Lakers TV deal a symbol of 'broken' system

Tuesday, November 06, 2012 3:53 PM ET 

By Deborah Yao

DIRECTV CEO Mike White said industry discussions about carrying the Los Angeles Lakers games exemplify a "broken" system.

RSNs, FOX News lead revenue growth at News Corp. cable nets

Tuesday, November 06, 2012 4:49 PM ET By Sarah Barry James Boosted by the sale of NDS Group Ltd., News Corp. saw a significant year-over-year jump in its fiscal first-quarter earnings.

Sports becoming even more important for News Corp.

Tuesday, November 06, 2012 5:57 PM ET  By Sarah Barry James There is no question that sports is now a priority for News Corp. "In a world of increasing fragmentation and growing digital technologies, we believe key must-have content is more important than ever," News Corp. President and COO Chase Carey said during a Nov. 6 earnings conference call. He noted that the company recently finalized key agreements with both Major League Baseball and NASCAR that he said "will serve as the foundation for both our cable and broadcast businesses for years to come."

The Battle for L.A. Sports Fans

Consumers and distributors navigate a new landscape that could change the pay-TV system. Is there a breaking point?

By John Ourand, Staff Writer

Published November 5, 2012, Page 1

FOX Sports Florida's Fan Express Gets Thumbs Up from Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic opened up their regular season on FOX Sports Florida this weekend with a pair of home games.  Also debuting this past weekend? The Magic Fan Express.  

FOX Sports Florida proudly launched the Fan Express in Orlando this weekend to rave reviews from not only participating riders, but also, Magic executives.

“The Fan Express has proven to be a great asset to our organization, by driving incremental tickets sales opportunities, while also providing fans and partners with a legendary experience,” said J.T. McWalters, Assistant Director of Partnership Activation for the Orlando Magic. 

New Studio Debut for FOX Sports North & FOX Sports Wisconsin

With planning and design in the works since June of 2011, the long awaited debut of the FOX Sports North and FOX Sports Wisconsin new studio finally arrived over the weekend. 

• FOX Sports Wisconsin launched the brand studio on Friday, Nov. 2 with a one-hour edition of Bucks Live. FOX Sports North followed on Sunday, Nov. 4 with Wolves Live presented by Century Link.

So What Happens If You Call 855-4-MY-LAKERS?

Sun, November 04, 2012, 1:52 PM 

Time Warner Cable Sportsnet took out a full page ad in the Los Angeles Times sports section today saying unless you have one of the providers with which they've made a deal, "you will miss the next 12 Lakers games starting tonight."

So what happens if you call the number 1-855-4-MY-LAKERS, listed at the bottom of the ad, which the copy urges you should contact "to switch to a provider that carries Time Warner Cable Sportsnet?"

First you get a message from James Worthy, the former Laker the network has hired as an analyst, thus transforming "Big Game James" into "Big Shill James."

Then you're prompted to select whether you're a cable or satellite customer, and to designate the precise service.

When I pushed "1" for DirecTV, it transferred me directly to DirecTV's recorded customer line, telling me I should tell them I want Time Warner Cable Sportsnet.

That's it? You're just enlisting me to join in your pressure campaign against the carriers -- assuming I'm willing to sit through their hold system, which usually takes the better part of a Sunday even when somebody isn't trying to clog up their lines?

This is one more reason I hate the way companies in carriage disputes handle these matters. There's no evidence they really give a rat's ass about consumers. They just want the public to help lobby on their behalf and irritate the other guy.

Oh, and did I mention the Lakers are currently 0-3? Maybe I don't really care if I miss the next 12 games -- or the 67 after that (roughly 40% of which, come Christmas, will be carried by ESPN, TNT or ABC anyway).

Wake me up for the playoffs, Time Warner Cable Sportsnet. Until then, I suggest you place a toll-free call to GET-LOST.

Read more: http://weblogs.variety.com/bltv/#ixzz2BLxeQXR0

Surveying cable operator footprints in crucial battleground states

By Tony Lenoir

The final advertising blitz for the 2012 presidential election can be expected to further bolster ad revenue for U.S. cable operators, and according to a survey of cable footprints, Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc. are positioned to carry the day.

Breeders' Cup gets primetime promotion

 

NBC hopes to drive new viewers to racing's premier event

By STUART LEVINE

NBC is shifting Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic to primetime, but it may be too late to generate new viewer enthusiasm for a sport that lost its TV luster years ago.

If the switch from afternoon to nighttime for the last race on the card, the $5 million Classic, had happened back in 2009, when superfilly Zenyatta was garnering national attention and engineered a historic come-from-behind win at the Breeders' Cup, it might have helped horse racing garner new fans. This year's event, however, lacks any true equine star power.

That said, NBC Sports programming president Jon Miller said the two days of Breeders' Cup coverage that begins Friday will be "welcoming to the novice viewer. We want to try to generate new fans."

Because of a conflict with Notre Dame football on Saturday, the Breeders' Cup will move to NBC Sports Network and off NBC, where it aired from 1984-2005, before moving over to ABC-ESPN. (The Classic will still air on NBC.)

During those years when football and racing clashed on NBC, the Irish would move the starting time of its games to accommodate the Breeders' Cup. With Notre Dame playing so well this year, that wouldn't even be up for debate.

There has been little pushback from the racing community on the move from broadcast to cable, but horse racing has practically no leverage these days. Ratings have fallen, attendance is down at most tracks around the country, and interest has tumbled since the days when Seabiscuit was a national hero and Santa Anita would regularly draw 50,000 fans for a Sunday afternoon.

And events leading to the cancellation of HBO's "Luck" have helped spur concern by some who read racing coverage only when tragedy strikes about how the horses are treated at the racetrack, making some queasy about the sport.

But what makes racetrackers happy, however, is that NBC is fully committed to the sport. The net signed a four-year deal in January with the Breeders' Cup.

Miller said the Breeders' Cup is perfect for NBC Sports Network, which handles horse racing all year round.

From a TV standpoint, racing's crown jewel continues to be the Kentucky Derby, which drew 14.8 million earlier this year. That was off the from 16.5 million in 2010 but is still relatively healthy.

Would NBC consider making a Breeders' Cup-like move and switching the Derby -- always held the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville -- to a primetime post time? The race has annually gone off at approximately 5:30 p.m. ET.

The track put up lights a few years ago to make it doable, but there are differing opinions.

"It's been discussed, but NBC has said it's not their aim," said track announcer Tom Hammond. "As of now. I don't know if you would gain additional viewers if you change. The Derby is a whole series of events, and to cut it to a primetime show would shorten the drama and the experience."

Miller said there are ongoing talks about a primetime Derby.

"We will continue to have those discussions with Churchill Downs," Miller said. "If the folks at Churchill Downs are interested, then it's a possibility."

Contact Stuart Levine at stuart.levine@variety.com

Hornets Owner Tom Benson Applauds Fox for Expanded TV Distribution

Official statement from Mr. Benson released prior to last night's Hornets season opener vs. the Spurs: 

Statement from Hornets Owner Tom Benson on the announcement of the extended regional reach of Fox Sports New Orleans, including the most recently-added carrier, Charter Communications, which will give fans on the North Shore the opportunity to watch 75 regular-season home games.  FOX Sports announced yesterday that Hornets games will now be available with Cox Communications, Charter Communications, DirecTV, Dish Network, AT&T U-Verse, Suddenlink, Comcast, Fidelity Communications, LUS Fiber, CP-Tel, Reserve Telecommunications, Vision Communications, Eatel and TV Northeast.

“One of our primary goals going into this season was to extend our reach with a new television agreement and Fox Sports New Orleans has provided us with that opportunity,” said Hornets Owner Tom Benson. “We are excited that fans in over 2.5 million homes across the Gulf South will be able to watch 75-regular season Hornets games starting tonight with our season opener against the Spurs.”

(Left to right:  David Mortlock, Fox Sports; Gary Ehrlich, Fox Sports; Mr. and Mrs. Tom Benson; Jon Heidtke, Fox Sports.  The group gathered last evening to celebrate the Hornets season opener and the launch of FOX Sports New Orleans.)

Fox Message to Advertisers: World Series Still Has Lots of Value Despite Softer Viewership

By John Consoli -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/31/2012 2:45:12 PM

Baseball fans may choose to argue the relative thrills of the recent World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers. What can't be argued are the numbers for the telecasts on Fox: This year's Fall Classic proved to be the least viewed World Series in history, according to Nielsen data, averaging 12.7 million viewers per game. But despite the ratings, Fox execs strongly believe the Series is still a highly valuable marketing event for advertisers.