Sports Media Watch: TV ratings, schedules and the latest news

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News: NBC-NFL rights, FCC inquiry, Minnesota Lynx and more

The NFL has not yet approached NBCUniversal as it is widely expected to try and renegotiate media rights deals; several...

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the second half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series in San Antonio, Sunday, April 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

NBA openers dip, but Sunday audience at Easter levels behind Wemby, NBC

If off from last year's high, the NBA Playoffs got off to one of its better starts of late in...

Buffalo Sabres players celebrate a goal by defenseman Mattias Samuelsson (23) during the third period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Boston Bruins, Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Cup runneth over: NHL starts playoffs with most-watched opening weekend

Coming off of a strong regular season, the NHL opened its postseason at an even hotter pace.

WNBA unveils TV schedule with 40 games on major broadcast networks

The first year of the new WNBA media rights deal features a level of national television exposure that is rare...

2YMP04D The National Football League West Coast Office is located outside of Sofi Stadium in Inglewood CA, in the Los Angeles suburbs.

NFL officials met with FCC last week, per report

5 days ago

Facing scrutiny from multiple federal agencies over its deals with streaming companies, the NFL has reportedly begun mounting its defense.

NHL regular season growth continues apparent momentum for hockey

5 days ago

Chalk it up to a rare 'Olympic bump' -- or not -- but hockey would seem to be enjoying some...

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin faces reporters following an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Tomlin reportedly joining NBC as “Football Night in America” analyst

6 days ago

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is joining NBC Sports to serve as a studio analyst on "Football Night...

UFC grows in second CBS outing

The UFC followed up a strong showing on CBS last month with an even better performance last weekend.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry celebrates during the second half of an NBA play-in tournament basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers, Wednesday, April 15, 2026, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

NBA Play-in viewership up thus far in streaming debut on Prime Video

Now airing exclusively on streaming, NBA Play-in Tournament viewership is nonetheless trending ahead of last year on cable.

News: SBA, LIV Golf, Netflix and more

The U.S. Department of Justice plans to expand its inquiry into NFL media rights to other leagues, including MLB; LIV...

NBA Media Coverage

The LED court in Amazon's NBA studio. (Amazon)

Media Rights Analysis

Are early NFL negotiations a trap or saving grace for linear?

7 months ago

In ESPN-NFL Media deal, risks outweighed by rewards

9 months ago

How will ESPN fill its Sunday Night Baseball vacancy?

Why NASCAR cut back on broadcast, not cable, in its new rights deal

What does the NBA media rights deal mean for its audience?

League and Event Profiles

New NBA media rights deal will be a “learning curve” for fans

8 months ago

Jul 19, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Team Collier guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks on before the 2025 WNBA All Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

WNBA at crossroads as second half begins

9 months ago

Dec 13, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) makes a three point basket over the defense of Los Angeles Lakers guard Max Christie (12) in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Are the NBA’s ratings really a referendum on quality of play?

Sep 22, 2024; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) runs with the ball during the first quarter against Indiana Fever during game one of the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images

How Caitlin Clark raised the bar for the WNBA

2XNYTJ2 Paris, France. 02nd Aug, 2024. Olympia, Paris 2024: The Olympic rings light up the Eiffel Tower. Credit: Jan Woitas/dpa/Alamy Live News

Network Profiles

DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 09: A cameraman for the NHL on TNT shoots the action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Nashville Predators on February 9, 2022 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)

The show goes on at TNT Sports, but for how long?

11 months ago

Nov 30, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; NBA TV sideline reporter Dennis Scott (left) interviews Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James after the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A niche concern: League-specific networks face end of an era

12 months ago

“Inside the NBA” latest example of ESPN’s new approach to content

2XA5TCM New York, United States. 03rd June, 2024. HBO's ''House Of The Dragon'' Season 2 Premiere. David Zaslav is attending HBO's ''House Of The Dragon'' Season 2 Premiere at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York, New York, USA, on June 03, 2024. (Photo by Thenews2/NurPhoto) Credit: NurPhoto SRL/Alamy Live News

Can WBD build something out of a little bit of everything?

Dec 1, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; ESPN mics are seen before the game between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

More than nostalgia: How NBC thrived and ESPN failed with the NBA

3CH2M4M Los Angeles, California, USA 30th August 2025 NFL YouTube Billboard on Sunset Blvd on August 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Photo by Barry King/Alamy Stock Photo

NFL

YouTube said to be leading candidate for five-game NFL package

Mar 6, 2026; Houston, TX, United States; General view of the third base dugout at Daikin Park before the game between Great Britain and Mexico. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

MLB

Rights to next WBC will be negotiated alongside broader MLB package

WNBA prospects pose on stage before the WNBA basketball draft Monday, April 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

ESPN

WNBA Draft viewership up, hits seven figures for third-straight year

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale (51) delivers against Cleveland Guardians' Chase DeLauter (24) in the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

FOX

Solid audience for NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball debut

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander talks while wearing his championship ring during a ceremony before an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

ABC

NBA regular season audience sees marked increase in year one of rights deal

NORTH PLAINS, OR - JULY 02: The LIVE Golf 8th hole flag waves during the LIV golf series on July 2, 2022 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire)

Amazon

News: LIV Golf, “For the Fans Act,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and more