ESPN Programming

ESPN To Get Interactive With You In 2009

CHN — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:20:00 -0500

ESPN's technology department hasn't exactly been lining up winners lately. They've tried the mobile game and failed, but now they're trying to get into your television remote. According to Ad Age, beginning this summer ESPN will offer three new "iTV" products that will allow you to join in the network's reindeer games....Beginning in summer 2009, the Walt Disney Co. sports-entertainment network will offer three new iTV products, tentatively titled ESPN My Vote, ESPN In Game Extra and My Bottom Line. Specific cable-distribution partners have yet to be determined, but ESPN My Vote and ESPN In Game Extra will each employ EBIF middleware technology, already available in millions of set-top boxes nationwide, while My Bottom Line will use Tru2way technology, the cross-cable software that powers cable operators' interactive programming guides, games and other programs.ESPN My Vote is an interactive feature that will enable viewers to participate in voting and polling during live broadcasts of "SportsCenter," "College Football Live," College Football telecast, Major League Baseball telecasts and "Baseball Tonight."ESPN In Game Extra will give viewers the option to access additional game stats during live telecasts, including player tracking, scores, standings and schedules.My Bottom Line refers to the bottom line, or news scroll across the bottom of the TV screen, which fans will be able to customize to their favorite teams or cities, regardless of geography. So a Cleveland sports fan in New York could customize scores for the Cavs and the Browns, with live access to stats, standings, research and even information about fantasy players. I can't stand polls personally, but the other two actually sound pretty awesome. I've always loved the DirecTV feature where you can plug your fantasy football team in and get stats across the board. Plus, having to wait through WNBA and MLS scores for real Sports is a pain in the ass. I wish I had "My Bottom Line" right now actually.ESPN Rolls Out Interactive Features (Ad Age)

The EPL Is Welcoming A Bid From ESPN

CHN — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 09:20:00 -0500

The next league up for auction in ESPN's profolio of possible acquisitions, is the English Premier League. It was once considered a bit of a long shot for ESPN to get the rights to the Soccer league, but with the economy driving down the price of bids, the EPL is almost hoping for a large offer from ESPN to take over the rights. Via the UK Telegraph....Other sectors of the economy may be creaking in the gale blowing from the financial markets, but ask a club executive what the implications are for football and the answer invariably begins: "It would be naïve for anyone to claim they are immune from the effects of the recession, but…"On Monday the Premier League distributed the Invitations To Tender for their next round of domestic television rights to run from 2010-2013, formally starting a process that many observers believe is the most important negotiation in the competition's 16-year history.The dark horse in the field, and the primary reason for Premier League confidence that current revenues will be matched, are ESPN. A major player in US sports rights, the Disney-owned company have been circling European football rights for some time, and in September Disney president Dick Iger indicated they would bid for live Premier League.It remains to be seen how serious their interest is. They could choose to target Setanta, a move that would test the faith of the Irish-owned firm's City backers. Alternatively they could mount a full tilt at Sky, though given the close relationship between ESPN and NewsCorp, Sky's parent company – they are partners in Asia in ESPN Star Sport – that may be less likely. It's not likely that two channels, who are largely based around the EPL, are going to go without a fight. But as ESPN proved in the BCS bidding.....if you throw enough cash at something, there might not be a way for your opponents to compete. We'll see how things pan out in 2009.Premier League welcome ESPN interest in TV rights (UK Telegraph)

A Lesson In Pro Bowl Voting Futility

CHN — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 14:47:00 -0500

The players for this year's Pro Bowl, that you won't watch, will be announced on ESPN during a special hosted by Trey Wingo, Trent Dilfer and Mike Golic. But before they can get to that announcement, both the fans as well as the coaches and players have to get their votes in. The Players and Coaches don't do so for a little while, but the fan vote is in, and it's hilarious!According to the DC Sports Bog, Redskins fans decided that nine....NINE!....of the team's players deserved to be in the Pro Bowl. As if that wasn't crazy enough, look at some of the names they selected....At long last, we have the final vote tallies from the objective NFL fan Pro Bowl voting. The objective fans have decided that, of the 19 positional categories in the NFC, nine should be filled by members of the burgundy and maroon and gold and black. And also, that two of the top 10 overall vote-getters should be members of the Redskins offense.So bring on Shaun Suisham as the leading kicker in either conference, even though he has more misses than any kicker in the league. Bring on Cornelius Griffin as the leading NFC D tackle, even though the Redskins D-line has been the subject of intense angst and RB bludgeoning in recent weeks. The offense is one of three in the NFL yet to crack 30 points? Bah, who cares? Bring on the leading RB, leading FB and leading tackle. Special teams have largely been a disappointment? Tell that to Khary Campbell, the leading specialist in either conference. Power to the people!Hilarious, but as I pointed out above, it's not going to matter once the coaches and players weigh in. As a Skins fan myself, I think it's safe to say that futility is something that you get used to. Good times!Here's the rest of the team-by-team breakdown....Redskins (7-6) -- 9Giants (11-2) -- 4Ravens (9-4) -- 4Titans (12-1) -- 3Dolphins (8-5) -- 3Cowboys (8-5) -- 2Jets (8-5) -- 2Broncos (8-5) -- 2Steelers (10-3) -- 1Cardinals (8-5) -- 1Saints (7-6) -- 1Bears (7-6) -- 1Texans (6-7) -- 1Packers (5-8) -- 1Chargers (5-8) -- 1Raiders (3-10) -- 1Chiefs (2-11) -- 1Redskins Fans Finish Off Pro Bowl Mockery (DC Sports Bog)

Jim Carey To Appear On Monday Night Countdown

CHN — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:16:00 -0500

It's been awhile since we've had an ESPN "movie promotion" post, so this announcement comes with perfect timing. Jim Carey will appear on Monday Night Countdown with Chris Berman and the gang to promote his new movie "Yes Man".Actor Jim Carrey, star of the upcoming Warner Brothers film The Yes Man, will appear on this week’s Monday Night Countdown in a pre-taped special segment. The piece will play off the theme of Carrey’s new film as he asks viewers a series of NFL-themed questions, answering an emphatic “YES” to all and getting increasingly excited as he progresses.Well at least he's not a guest in the booth with that same cheesy angle, right? Hopefully the group won't overdo the whole segment, but with that collection of individuals, I don't see how that's possible.(Via ESPN PR)

In Tampa, MNF Takes Precedence Over Charlie Brown And Boston Legal

CHN — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:27:00 -0500

Local Tampa channel 28 will be making an interesting call by choosing to air the Monday Night Football game between the Bucs and Panthers. It's not interesting because of the game itself (although it should be a good one), but rather for the programs that the game will pre-empted. The channel was scheduled to play, and thus will be skipping the season finale of Boston Legal, and the holiday classic, "Charlie Brown Christmas." Via TampaBay.com....Corporate cousin ESPN allows ABC affiliates to also air MNF games featuring hometown teams for area fans who don't get cable or satellite. Station officials made the decision to pick up the game months ago, before they could have known ABC's plans, said Rich Pegram, WFTS general manager.Fortunately, the good folks at WFTS have come up with a solution. ABC will air the Charlie Brown Christmas on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. WFTS will move the two-hour Boston Legal finale to Sunday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. If you're online, you can see the Boston Legal finale on ABC.com the day after it airs nationally, on Tuesday, Dec. 9.Good grief! Well at least they scheduled a makeup airing, right? Thank goodness and everyone can rest easy tonight. Ch. 28 picks up Buccaneers game Monday (TampaBay.com)

ESPN And MLB Network Team Up To Air Over Thirty WBC Games This March

CHN — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:41:00 -0400

I have to admit that I didn't really get into to the World Baseball Classic during its debut last year, but if you did...I have some good news for you. ESPN and the newly formed MLB Network plan on getting thirty-nine games to you during the tournament this March. Via MLB-N....World Baseball Classic, Inc. has reached agreements with ESPN and MLB Network for shared broadcast rights for the 2009 World Baseball Classic, it was announced today. The World Baseball Classic, the world’s premier international baseball tournament, will feature the world’s best players representing 16 countries and territories, and will be played in seven different venues in five nations and territories from March 5 - 23.ESPN will televise 23 games of the tournament in the U.S., including the Semi-Final and Final Games, across ESPN and ESPN2 and on its Spanish-language platform ESPN Deportes. ESPN’s agreement includes English and Spanish radio broadcast rights as well as digital rights, including the live-streaming of games onMLB Network, which will debut on January 1, 2009, will televise 16 World Baseball Classic games and a nightly highlight show titled World Baseball Classic Tonight, beginning in late February. The program will feature highlights, analysis, feature stories and special reports on the tournament, its teams, players and coaches. MLB Network also will air the World Baseball Classic Selection Show, a studio show reporting on the announcement of the rosters. I'm really interested to see how this whole MLB Network thing is going to work out, but it's definitely a good first move to latch on with ESPN right away like this. When you consider the extra publicity from them during actual games, and on shows like Sports Center, it's obviously a no-brainer.As the press release stated, the tournament gets underway March 2009, and I'll be sure to have announcers and team rosters when they get released.