Sports Media Watch

2 days ago

"Thursday Night Football" viewership continues to grow. The latest edition of NFL "Thursday Night Football" (Seahawks-Broncos) averaged 16.26 million viewers...

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Kiké Hernández, left, leaves the field after making the final out as the Milwaukee Brewers celebrate with pitcher Aaron Ashby, center, after Game 4 of baseball's National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Brewers’ sweep of Dodgers finishes at LCS viewership high

2 days ago

The Brewers and Dodgers produced a second-straight NLCS sweep, but the result was far different on the field -- and...

(Illustration) | Courtesy: Derek Futterman, Sports Media Watch | New York, NY - May 19, 2026 - Madison Square Garden: Mike Breen of ESPN ahead of game 1 of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference finals.
(Photo by Ben Solomon / ESPN Images)

Mike Breen offers support for Fox Sports’ Joe Davis amidst bias claims

2 days ago

In an October of online acrimony toward Fox Sports' Joe Davis, one of the only other announcers who can relate...

Atlanta forward Angel Reese (5) is interviewed by ESPN telecaster Holly Rowe after beating New York 101-98 in Game 2 of the WNBA basketball semifinals, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Daniel Varnado)

ESPN has its most-watched WNBA Playoffs despite reduced schedule

4 days ago

Despite missing out on some of the biggest games, ESPN still managed to have its most-watched WNBA Playoffs. ESPN averaged...

Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Garrett Mitchell (5) celebrates hitting a solo home run with Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Cooper Pratt (12) as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith looks away during the seventh inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Something brewing: NLCS stays hot in Games 2 and 3

5 days ago

Viewers were clearly ready for the Dodgers to face a challenge, and the Brewers delivered -- perhaps too well. Through...

Atlanta, GA - January 20, 2025 - Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler during the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship.
(Photo by Allen Kee / ESPN Images)

ESPN expected to retain exclusive rights to 24-team CFP

ESPN and the College Football Playoff are reportedly close to a deal that would facilitate the expansion of the playoff...

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (0) celebrates his touchdown during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)

NFL average viewership pulls ahead of last year

After digging a rare double-digit hole in Week 1, NFL viewership has now pulled ahead of last year through Week...

Broadcaster and former NFL quarterback Troy Aikman walks on the field before an NFL wild-card playoff football game between the Houston Texans and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)

Aikman believes he will not get new ESPN deal

For the second time in a day, ESPN's Troy Aikman made clear that he believes his days with the network...

News: ESPN NBA, Portland Trail Blazers, LA Clippers and more

by Derek Futterman

ESPN adds Jason Kidd, Jeremy Lin as NBA analysts; Travis Demers to reportedly call Portland Trail Blazers television games "on...

SMW Podcast

Troy Aikman vs. ESPN; Nantz talks Romo; Al Michaels' future; and more

0:000:00

Nielsen has reprocessed the viewership for NBC’s four NFL games from Week 1-3 of the season. The Patriots-Seahawks Kickoff Game has been updated to 25.2 million, up from an originally-reported 25.1 million. The Week 1 Cowboys-Giants “Sunday Night Football” game has been updated to 25.82 million, up from 25.66 million. Colts-Chiefs the following week has been updated to 24.43 million, up from 24.29 million. Finally, Rams-Broncos in Week 3 has been updated to 20.96 million, up from 20.77 million.

More Features

FILE - Former Houston Texans players J.J. Watt stands on the sidelines prior to an NFL football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans, Oct. 1, 2023 in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, file)

It’s time for Dodger baseball: How SportsNet LA covers baseball’s preeminent team

4 weeks ago

CORPORATE - 5/12/26 - The Disney Advertising Upfront is a showcase event that brings together all the content corners of The Walt Disney Company on one stage. On Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at North Javits in New York City, an incredible roster of all-star talent will tout their connections to storytelling, Disney, and each other while showcasing their latest projects for the upcoming year.
(Disney/Chrys Davis)
PEYTON MANNING, ELI MANNING

On the Air: Do altcasts like the ManningCast still matter?

Solid, unspectacular debut for Nantz and Watt

3F8626M Luke Kuechly, a Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductee, meets with members of the 910th Airlift Wing from Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio, during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on August 6, 2026.

On the Air: Kuechly keeps it simple in Netflix debut

Peter Schrager is pictured at Super Bowl Opening Night. Courtesy: Derek Futterman

On the Air: Peter Schrager and ESPN’s authenticity era

CBS Sports preparing for new-look CFB broadcast, production team

ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, left, poses with his dog Peter before the start of an NCAA college football game between Texas and Texas A&M on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)

On the Air: Howling over Herbstreit’s dog

Monday Musings: The Ghost of ABC Sports

On the Air: Michael Jordan was a missed opportunity for NBC

The Needle: Why Nielsen’s new changes are not enough for the NFL

Greg Olsen speaks at the Front Office Sports Tuned In Summit in 2025. Courtesy: Derek Futterman, Sports Media Watch

Broadcasters

Report: FOX has not held contract extension talks with Greg Olsen

ESPN Monday Night Football commentator Troy Aikman works before an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons in New Orleans, Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman)

ABC

Aikman does not deny tension with Buck, mentions “next landing spot”

Georgia defensive back KJ Bolden (4) and linebacker Quintavius Johnson (3) celebrate after Johnson's fumble recovery during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

ABC

Marquee SEC rivalries help ABC win another top-heavy CFB weekend

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski leaves the game during the fifth inning of Game 1 of baseball's National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Kyla Wolf)

FOX

Dodgers-Brewers rematch opens with milestone audience

ESPN

ESPN says it remains “committed to journalism” after ex-producer suggests otherwise

ABC

Report alleges “tension,” argument, between Buck and Aikman