Sports TV News

Pete Distad Named CEO of Joint Warner Bros. Discovery, ESPN, FOX Streaming Service

“I’m excited to be able to pull together the industry-leading sports content portfolios from these three companies to deliver a new best-in-class service.”

Published

2 months ago

March 15, 2024

Jeff Kotuby

Pete Distad, new CEO of WBD-ESPN-FOX joint venture

The unnamed streaming service being launched in a coalition featuring Warner Bros. Discovery, ESPN, and FOX got a big lift Friday as Pete Distad has been named CEO of the venture.

WBD announced the news earlier today, saying Distad would move on from his longtime post as an Apple exec to helm the new project. Before his time at Apple, Distad worked for Hulu, meaning he’s no stranger to the streaming landscape.

Distard will assume oversight of all aspects of the joint venture, including overall strategy, distribution, marketing, sales, and more. Pete Distad will report to the JV’s board of directors, which will include representatives selected by each of the three companies. He and his new management team will be based at the to-be-established offices of the joint venture in Los Angeles.

“This is an incredible opportunity to build and grow a differentiated product that will serve passionate sports fans in the US outside of the traditional pay TV bundle,” Distad said. “I’m excited to be able to pull together the industry-leading sports content portfolios from these three companies to deliver a new best-in-class service.”

One of the major questions surrounding this new service is who among the three companies would act as CEO. Luckily, no such power struggle emerged as an outside candidate (albeit one with previous Disney experience) assumed the role. Now it’s up to Distad to carefully construct his management team to avoid giving one company more power within the organization than the others.

“Pete is an accomplished innovator and leader who has extensive experience with launching and growing new video services,” ESPN, FOX, and Warner Bros. Discovery in a joint statement. “We are confident he and his team will build an extremely compelling, fan-focused product for our target market.”

Jeff Kotuby

Jeff Kotuby is a nationally-published journalist with bylines on many popular broadcasting and pop culture sites, including The Streamable, eBaum’s World, Twin Galaxies, and more. Jeff grew up in the shadows of New York City and cultivated his love for sports media with the classic broadcasting voices of the area, like Mike & The Mad Dog, Mike “Doc” Emerick, and Michael Kay. You can reach Jeff on Twitter @JeffKotu3y.

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‘NFL Total Access’ Comes to an End After 21 Years on NFL Network

“Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at NFL Network.”

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

BSM Staff

‘NFL Total Access’ has been a part of the NFL Network since 2003 and today it is set for its final episode. The news of the show coming to an end came down earlier this month. Many of the current show participants took to social media to post their thoughts including hosts Mike Yam and Kimmi Chex along with analyst Chase Daniel.

“Tonight marks the last ever episode of NFL Total Access,” said Chex. “I was 7 years old when this show aired meaning that I spent my life watching. Co-hosting our flagship program this past season has been the honor of my career. I’m not going anywhere but for now, it’s goodbye TA.”

Yam said, “It’s been an absolute thrill hosting NFL Total Access. Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at NFL Network. “Thank you” isn’t nearly enough to express the gratitude I have for the team. See you at 7est for 1 more run.”

A report from The Athletic said the show would be replaced “at least in the interim” by Insiders with Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero.

Today is the last day @NFLTotalAccess is on the air….bittersweet is a word that comes to mind.

I was honored to be a small part of this show the last 2 years and I still can’t believe it’s going away….Big things on the horizon!

Here’s some of my favorite moments 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/5TBS5ME6KH
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) May 17, 2024

The final NFL Total Access production meeting❤️

Come celebrate with us tonight at 7pm ET on @nflnetwork @kimmichex | @Mike_Yam | @RealMikeRob | @DCarr8 pic.twitter.com/TSbHz5czi3
— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) May 17, 2024

It’s been an absolute thrill hosting @NFLTotalAccess. Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at @nflnetwork. “Thank you” isn’t nearly enough to express the gratitude I have for the team. See you at 7est for 1 more run. pic.twitter.com/pm13RIjbCe
— Michael Yam (@Mike_Yam) May 17, 2024

Tonight marks the last ever episode of @NFLTotalAccess. I was 7 years old when this show aired meaning that I spent my life watching . Co-hosting our flagship program this past season has been the honor of my career. I’m not going anywhere but for now, it’s goodbye TA ❤️ pic.twitter.com/zJXApKFyM1
— Kimmi (@kimmichex) May 17, 2024

So sad that NFL Total Access- the first show ever on NFL Network- airs for the last time tonight. It was an honor to produce and supervise that show for a couple years.

We made some really good TV.

No business making $20 billion (with a B) should ever be laying off anyone. pic.twitter.com/7g0O3TQ8hF
— Jason Hartelius (@jasonhartelius) May 17, 2024

BSM Staff

Sports TV News

NBCUniversal Names Olympic Hosts for USA, CNBC and E!; Kathryn Tappen Headlines

“We are excited to have an experienced group of hosts to present the most compelling stories, news, and interviews as we take viewers from event to event throughout the Games.”

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

BSM Staff

NBCUniversal announced its hosts for coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on USA Network, CNBC and E! Cara Banks, Laura Britt and Trenni Casey will all be a part of the coverage on CNBC and E! Lindsay Czarniak, Carolyn Manno and Kathryn Tappen will all take part in the USA Network coverage.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics is Friday, July 26 on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.

Coverage on USA Network, CNBC, and E! is expected to include Team USA men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as swimming, gymnastics, and track & field, and more.

“We are excited to have an experienced group of hosts to present the most compelling stories, news, and interviews as we take viewers from event to event throughout the Games,” said Rebecca Chatman, Vice President and Coordinating Producer, NBC Olympics Production in a release.

BSM Staff

Sports TV News

Mike Tirico, Danica Patrick Return to Host Indy 500 for NBC Sports

Seven-time NASCAR Series champion Jimmie Johnson will join NBC’s pre-race and race coverage. When his broadcasting duties are completed, Johnson will be flying to Charlotte Motor Speedway to drive in the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.

Published

1 day ago

May 17, 2024

BSM Staff

Logos for Indy 500, NBC Sports and photos of Mike Tirico and Danica Patrick

Photos Courtesy: NBC Sports

With less than two weeks until the event, NBC Sports has officially announced its team of race and studio commentators for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. For the sixth year in a row, we can expect to see familiar faces such as host Mike Tirico and studio analyst Danica Patrick contributing to pre-race, in-race, and post-race coverage.

The race will air at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 26, on both NBC and Peacock.

Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe will call the race for the sixth consecutive year. Marty Snider, Dillon Welch, Dave Burns, and Kevin Lee will serve as pit reporters. Former NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and Kim Coon will serve as roaming reporters.

BSM Staff