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

3 days ago

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

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

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

The latest development in the NFL media rights saga is that YouTube is now the frontrunner for the league's new...

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

Rights to next WBC will be negotiated alongside broader MLB package

Negotiations for rights to the next World Baseball Classic will coincide with Major League Baseball's broader media rights talks.

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

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

It is increasingly clear that the growth in women's basketball viewership is no flash in the pan.

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)

Solid audience for NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball debut

"Sunday Night Baseball" was not exactly a home run in its NBC debut, but whether on the diamond or in...

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)

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

The first year of the new NBA media rights deal delivered a sizable increase in viewership. The 2025-26 NBA regular...

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)

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

LIV Golf could reportedly lose funding from Saudi Arabia PIF; a U.S. senator introduces new legislation regarding sports broadcasts; and...

Jason Benetti to call NBA playoff game

NBC Sports' newest voice is already adding more duties to his portfolio. Lead NBC Major League Baseball voice Jason Benetti...

Hall of famer Cheryl Miller speaks during a news conference before an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Cheryl Miller back in TV as WNBA analyst for NBC

Once a familiar figure in pro basketball television coverage, Cheryl Miller is back in broadcasting with NBCUniversal.

Rory McIlroy celebrates winning the Masters for a second-straight year.

Masters scores back-to-back highs for McIlroy’s back-to-back wins

6 days ago

Rory McIlroy's flair for the dramatic again lifted viewership for the final round of the Masters.

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

ESPN reporter Dianna Russini on the sidelines before the start of an NFL football game between the Oakland Raiders and the Denver Broncos Monday, Sept. 9, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/D. Ross Cameron)

Big Names

Russini resigns from The Athletic amid controversy

6 days ago

Horse racing

NBC plans to air NBA Playoffs following Derby, Preakness

6 days ago

Umberto Rispoli, left, atop Journalism, edges out Luis Saez, atop Gosger, to win the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes horse race Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Amazon

NBC will have to fend off Fox, streamers, to retain Preakness

7 days ago

ABC

News: NFL on Netflix, Doc Rivers, Dianna Russini and more

7 days ago

Lexington, KY - December 13, 2025 - Rupp Arena: Dick Vitale during a regular season game.
(Photo by Morgan Simmons / ESPN Images)

Broadcasters

Vitale facing another battle with cancer

7 days ago

Amazon

Fox reportedly competing with streamers for new five-game NFL package