Sports TV News
MLB and YouTube TV Expand Partnership
Published
6 years agoon
After entering a marketing agreement last year to be the “presenting sponsor of the World Series,” YouTube TV and Major League Baseball have announced an expanded partnership.
This week, YouTube TV launched MLB Network on its cable-free platform which already offers over 50 networks for $40 per month. As part of their deal, YouTube TV will continue to “present” the World Series in 2018 and 2019.
“YouTube brought tremendous creativity, marketing energy and innovation to the most exciting part of our year, the Postseason and World Series,” said Noah Garden, MLB Executive Vice President, Commerce. “Their engagement with our young fans, rising stars and Clubs showed that YouTube TV is a natural partner for our sport and we’re proud to build on this groundbreaking relationship. And with the addition of MLB Network and the upcoming launch of MLB.tv on the platform, our fans’ options to consume baseball continue to grow.”
MLB Network is included for subscribers with the cost of a YouTube TV subscription. MLB.tv will also be available via the YouTube streaming service, but consumers will be required to pay an additional fee.
Major League Baseball was satisfied with the creative marketing campaign put together by YouTube as well as the younger generation the tech giant helps them reach. YouTube TV’s innovative ads during the World Series incorporated live content during the commercial along with six-second spots starring popular MLB athletes to keep the viewer engaged.
“Our historic partnership with MLB was a first of its kind. From live programming morphing into a YouTube TV spot, to prominent in-stadium placements, our innovative partnership allowed us to build awareness for YouTube TV and have a voice during one of the biggest live sporting events of the year,” said Angela Courtin, Global Head of YouTube TV & Originals Marketing. “MLB has been a great long-term partner and we are excited to renew our World Series partnership as well as play a role in games throughout the season with the inaugural First Pitch sponsorship, bringing more ways for fans to enjoy their favorite teams cable-free with YouTube TV.”
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.
Jason Barrett is the owner and operator of Barrett Sports Media. Prior to launching BSM he served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He has also produced national shows for ESPN Radio including GameNight and the Dan Patrick Show. You can find him on Twitter @SportsRadioPD or reach him by email at [email protected].
Sports TV News
Bill Belichick to Appear in All ‘ManningCast’ Alternate Presentations Next Season
Manning stated that Belichick will appear early in the game, likely during the first quarter, to provide his insights and analysis pertaining to the action.
Published
3 days agoon
May 10, 2024By
BSM StaffWhile there are still several months until the start of the NFL regular season, anticipation is building towards the action on the field. The Kansas City Chiefs will take the gridiron as back-to-back Super Bowl champions and aim to continue their dynasty, becoming a consistent presence at the top of the AFC. Bill Belichick departed his role as general manager and head coach of the New England Patriots this past season and knows what it is like to be part of a dynasty, having won six Super Bowl championships in 17 years. For the upcoming season, he will be part of the Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli alternate broadcast presentation produced through a partnership between ESPN and Omaha Productions.
Belichick will be part of every ManningCast next season, as divulged by Omaha Productions founder and two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Peyton Manning during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. Manning stated that Belichick will appear early in the game, likely during the first quarter, to provide his insights and analysis pertaining to the action. Additionally, Belichick will make weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show during the NFL season and also participated in its Draft Spectacular broadcast from the NFL Draft in Detroit.
“I said, ‘Bill, we want you to come on. Look, we’d love to go behind the ropes on the defensive side as to kind of what the Eagles are going to have to do to stop Patrick Mahomes, right? And if you ever run out of things to say, just make fun of Eli, right? That’s always sort of a time-filler,’ and Bill doesn’t like Eli,” Manning explained. “We all know that – two Super Bowls – so it’s just a match made in heaven.”
As a former NFL quarterback, Manning remembers Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy meeting with him early in the week to break down the opposing defense and guiding him on how to plan for a contest. Looking back on it, he believes that the instruction from a defensive-minded coach ultimately made him a better quarterback. Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady told Manning that Belichick did the same with him at the beginning of the week and how to overcome the challenges presented by the opposing defense.
“I think the audience is going to be fascinated at how smart he is,” Manning said. “Look, you guys saw how witty he is. I watched the Draft show you guys did; it was awesome. He’s quick-witted, he’s funny and like I said, he’s brilliant when it comes to defense and offense.”
Sports TV News
ESPN Set to Begin 28th Season with WNBA; ‘WNBA Countdown’ Expands Coverage
Published
3 days agoon
May 10, 2024By
BSM StaffESPN, which has carried WNBA games since its inception in 1997, will begin its 28th season with a doubleheader that features Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever in game one at the Connecticut Sun followed by two-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces hosting the Phoenix Mercury. The games will be shown on ESPN2, ESPN+ and Disney+.
Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo and Holly Rowe will call game one with Tiffany Greene, Debbie Antonelli and Angel Gray handling game two.
In a release, ESPN said it “will utilize a WNBA Finals-level production setup for Indiana’s first game to document Clark’s debut. Comprehensive coverage will feature multiple camera angles, including Below and Above the Rim Cam viewing options, roving RF handheld cameras, and player mics.”
WNBA Countdown, ESPN’s pregame show, will feature two different desks for its ESPN and ABC broadcasts throughout the regular season. LaChina Robinson will host for ESPN’s broadcasts. She will be joined by analysts Monica McNutt and Carolyn Peck, a former WNBA head coach and GM who has been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. ABC’s broadcast team will feature a new lineup with SportsCenter anchor Elle Duncan leading the way, along with Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter.
The first regular season edition of the show will originate live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut with Robinson, McNutt and Peck. A second show will include coverage of the Aces championship ring ceremony and banner unveiling.
Duncan, Ogwumike, and Carter will make their WNBA Countdown on ABC debut Saturday, May 18, prior to the Indiana Fever at New York Liberty game.
Sports TV News
Michael Grady Joins New York Liberty Broadcast Team
Before being named the television play-by-play voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Grady was the sideline reporter for Brooklyn Nets games on YES Network for six years.
Published
3 days agoon
May 10, 2024By
BSM StaffThe New York Liberty organization has made several additions to its broadcast team for the upcoming 2024 season, including 24 locally televised games broadcast across FOX5 and My9 available for over 7.5 million households in the New York tri-state area. The team has announced that Michael Grady will serve as a play-by-play announcer for the team in the upcoming season, marking his return to the WNBA and Brooklyn, N.Y.
Before being named the television play-by-play voice of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Grady was the sideline reporter for Brooklyn Nets games on YES Network for six years. Grady started his broadcast career in Indiana with 1070 WIBC Radio and landed an executive producer role at 107.5 ESPN Radio. Additionally, he was a sports anchor on WRTV6 and the public address announcer for the Indiana Pacers. YES Network host Chris Shearn will also serve as a play-by-play announcer for the season, continuing his role with the team since the 2019 season.
Zora Stephenson will be back on New York Liberty broadcasts for the 2024 season as a play-by-play announcer as well, which continues her work in the space after previously serving as a sideline and digital reporter for the Milwaukee Bucks. Stephenson is also a member of NBC Sports and is a play-by-play announcer for Big Ten Women’s Basketball on Peacock and sideline reporter for Notre Dame Football and Big Ten Football on the network. Stephenson became the first American-born Black woman to call an NBA game in 2021 when she earned the opportunity with the Milwaukee Bucks. This is the fourth consecutive season that Stephenson will be on the air for Liberty games.
ESPN analyst and former Stanford Cardinal guard Ros Gold-Onwude is returning to New York Liberty broadcasts to work as an analyst. Gold-Onwude worked in a similar role with the team between 2012 and 2017 and has been a part of basketball coverage on ESPN across multiple platforms. In addition to Gold-Onwude, former YES Network analyst Julianne Viani-Braen will return to the broadcasts in the same role.
FOX 5 New York lead sports anchor and reporter Tina Cervasio has been named the courtside reporter for New York Liberty broadcasts this season. Throughout the year, she will deliver the latest news and updates during the game while also continuing to host the weekly Sports Xtra show on Sunday nights.
The New York Liberty qualified for the WNBA Finals for the second consecutive season in 2023, led by star guard Sabrina Ionescu and forward Breanna Stewart. The Liberty will look to continue their success through the 36-game regular season that starts on Tuesday when the team plays the Washington Mystics at 7 p.m. EST on My9. After the opening game, the team visits Gainbridge Fieldhouse to play Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever before returning to Barclays Center for a three-game homestand.
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