This is the final episode of the Sports Media Beat podcast. Host Dan Lovallo explains why the podcast is coming to an end and what is in store for the future. Links to Dan's other podcasts and websites: The Baseball BeatThe Sportscaster Dan podcastBrad Field WeatherSportscaster Dan Newsletter

Sports Media Beat

Sports Media Beat podcast comes to an end

Melanie Newman made history on Aug. 4, becoming the first female to broadcast play-by-play for the Baltimore Orioles in their game against the Miami Marlins. Also, PGA ratings remain solid for CBS. All that and more is discussed in the latest SMB. Below are the show notes for the podcast: PGA Tour on CBSWGC-St. Jude's Classic- Sun., Aug. 2- 2.1/3.2M- Up 31% in ratings and 39% in viewership- Tour on CBS has averaged 2.46M- 3rd round lead in on Golf Channel (.45/635,000 viewers)- 4th round lead in on GC on Sunday (.6/952,000) Melanie Newman-Newman makes history-first woman in Orioles broadcast history to broadcast a regular season game-on the call for the O's-Marlins game, calling play-by-play-among women, currently broadcasting MLB games, she joins the Rockie's Jenny Cavnar, the Yankees Suzyn Waldman and ESPN's Jessica Mendoza-she is also the fourth woman to call play-by-play for an MLB game, joining Cavnar, Waldman and Gayle Gardner Yankees-Red Sox- Ratings down- FOX, Sat., Aug. 1 (1.25/2.07M)-smallest Yanks-Red Sox audience since Sep. 2016, but it turned out to be 4th most watched MLB game this season, with the Yanks playing in three of those games- ESPN, Sun., Aug. 2 (1.2/1.91M) Red Sox-Mets- Thu., July 30 on FOX- 1.2/1.88M NASCAR race from New Hampshire- Sunday, Aug. 2/NBCSN- 1.4 rating/2.21 million- lowest rated edition of the race since 1998 and least watched since at least 2000- Brad Keselowski was the winner NBA on ABC- Blazers-Celtics (1.1/1.66M) Sunday, Aug. 2 NHL on NBC- Sunday, Aug. 2- Flyers-Bruins (0.8/1.42M)- NHL on NBCSN- Blues-Avalanche, Sun., Aug. 2 (.4/684,000) Formula 1 British Grand Prix on ESPN- Sun., Aug. 2 (.47/736,000)- Largest audience for race since it last aired on broadcast TV since 2012 WTT on CBS- Sun., Aug. 2 (.39/556,000 viewers)- Largest audience in league history ABC, Saturday, Aug. 1- aired 1990 fight between Buster Douglas and Mike Tyson- .47/616,000 WNBA on ESPN- Sun., Aug. 2- NY Liberty vs. Phoenix Mercury- .17/248,000 Monday Night Football- No formal announcement- several reports indicate the crew will be Steve Levy on PBP, and former NFL players Louis Riddick and Brian Griese on commentary- succeeding Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland- bigger piece of the pie for NFL football ESPN stat cast

Melanie Newman makes history; PGA ratings solid

There are reports that the Pac-12 bought coverage for its conference in a deal with the Los Angeles Times. In almost a quid-pro-quo relationship, the flagging conference bought advertising from the newspaper in return for sports coverage. Has this opened a Pandora's Box? Also, among the stories covered: ESPN hires new voiceNotre Dame football joins ACCCBS adding drones and fly cams to PGA coverageDavis Love III leaves CBS golf coverage teamESPN planning record PGA Championship coverageNHL and Twitter sign deal

Pac-12 buys coverage; Notre Dame welcomed

After a nearly four-month delay, Major League Baseball began its truncated 2020 season on July 23 and the sport played to record ratings. By the weekend, however, baseball's ratings had weakened. Meanwhile, the Google News Initiative is prepared to challenge the subscription-based sports website, The Athletic. Working in conjunction with newspapers across the USA, Google is looking to breath life into the flagging newspaper industry, by whetting the appetite of sports enthusiasts with access to local sports coverage. As the pandemic worsens, those who operate cameras at sporting events, such as baseball games, are worried about their jobs. A story in the New York Times details the concerns. All that and much more discussed in the latest Sports Media Beat podcast.

MLB starts strong; Google challenges The Athletic

When the major league baseball season launches its truncated 2020 season on July 23, fans will not be allowed in the stands, because of COVID-19. That is not stopping FOX Sports from being innovative, however. When the network carries the Yankees-Nationals game on Saturday, there will be virtual fans in the stands. FOX will also have broadcasters Joe Buck and John Smoltz in separate studios far away from where the game will be played. Other topics discussed on this podcast: It appears likely there will be no NFL preseasonRatings for Memorial Tournament solidBraves broadcaster Jeff Francoeur has COVID-19NASCAR ratings from Texas lukewarmTNT names NBA broadcastersSports contributes to network ratings decline

FOX Sports going virtual fans on MLB games

As they prepare to start a truncated season in the Covid-era, Major League Baseball will take its already high tech television production to the next level. MLB plans to become even more interactive in an effort to appeal to a younger demographic. Meanwhile, shaken to its core over allegations of sexual harassment by 15 former female employees, the Washington NFL franchise is beginning to make changes. The club has announced the hiring of Julie Donaldson to lead its new radio broadcast team. Among the other stories discussed: Baseball summer camp ratings solidBob Costas joins CNNMore MLB broadcasters opt outNASCAR ratings dip slightly

MLB goes high tech; Washington hires new football announcer – SMB049

Hall of Fame baseball broadcaster Tim McCarver will not broadcast baseball games in 2020. In this latest edition of the Sports Media Beat, host Dan Lovallo explains why McCarver will not be behind the microphone. Lovallo also discusses other sports-related media news, including what happened to the archives of the Mike and the Mad Dog Show on WFAN radio in New York. Ratings for golf and NASCAR continue to rise and the WNBA is going to be televised on CBS. Lovallo has that story too.

No McCarver on baseball broadcasts #48

Mike Golic is out on ESPN radio and radio takes a major ratings hit. In his latest podcast, host Dan Lovallo explains why radio ratings are down 40% in the Boston market and how it has impacted sports talk radio. That said, the sports ratings war in Boston seems to have take a one-sided turn. Plus the numbers are in for NASCAR and Formula 1 racing and they are encouraging. But what of baseball? Will the games be played? All that, plus NBA media news and more are discussed in the podcast.

Golic out; radio takes a hit

Conjecture seems to be growing that the NFL will reduce its preseason from four to two games because of Covid-19. Although no official announcement has been made at the time of this podcast, various stories seem to indicate the NFL could get a later summer start, because of the virus. Such a move would obviously effect the NFL's TV contracts with the major networks. Meanwhile, the virus will impact 79-year-old legendary sportscaster Marv Albert. The long time play-by-play broadcaster of NBA games on Turner Sports is not expected to return to that role, when the NBA resumes its season later in July under the Orlando "bubble." Dan Lovallo discusses that and more in his latest podcast.

NFL preseason cut and no Marv

There seems to be conjecture the NFL will reduce the number of preseason games from four to two because of Covid-19.  If that happens, what will the television impact be?  Plus, it appears 79-year-old Marv Albert will not be calling games on Turner Sports, when the NBA resumes.  Dan Lovallo explores that and more in his latest podcast.

NFL preseason possibly reduced and no Marv

The effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt, even as Major League Baseball attempts to launch a truncated season.  On June 25, the NFL announced it was cancelling its annual Hall of Fame game in Canton, OH.  Dan Lovallo talks about that and more on the latest Sports Media Beat.

NFL cancels Hall of Fame game

Major League Baseball's cheating scandal, which led to the dismal of three managers, has dominated the sports media landscape this week.  But other stories also made news, including high ratings for the college football national championship game between LSU and Clemson.  Plus the top 10 advertisers on NFL television coverage in 2019 are revealed.  In addition, sportscaster Dan Lovallo covers several other sports media topics. 

MLB cheating scandal dominates media

Despite what some may say is a deal between Major League Baseball and the players association, there is no agreement yet and that could mean no major league baseball on television for awhile in 2020, if at all.  As sports return in the USA, during Covid-19, those that are making it to TV are turning out to be a ratings hit, including the PGA Tour.  Dan Lovallo discusses all of this and more on the Sports Media Beat. 

No baseball deal yet and golf ratings soar

It might not have been the NFL, but the MLB draft was a hit June 10 in the TV ratings.  In the return of the Sports Media Beat, I review the ratings and also comment on the unrest that has occurred in the United States.  Here is the link to the interview I did with the late, great Buck Leonard. Dan Lovallo interviews Buck Leonard

MLB draft a hit, as sports slowly return

Covid-19 is impacting sports at all levels and in this podcast I touch on some of the effects. I also look at the latest ratings, the new PGA TV deal and more.

Corona virus impacts sports

Sportscaster Dan Lovallo talks about the latest sports media news, from television to radio and beyond and how it plays out on the field.

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Sports Media Beat

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