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

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...

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

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

The status of Greg Olsen is the latest source of uncertainty in boiling NFL TV hot stove. Fox Sports has...

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)

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

The Troy Aikman situation at ESPN appears to be worsening. Appearing on Dallas' 96.7 The Ticket Thursday, lead ESPN "Monday...

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)

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

A pair of titanic SEC rivalries helped ABC win another top-heavy college football Saturday, while FOX "Big Noon Saturday" finally...

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)

Dodgers-Brewers rematch opens with milestone audience

With the Brewers expected to pose a greater challenge than last year -- and thus far succeeding -- the sequel...

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

ESPN's journalism is again coming under scrutiny after an ex-producer painted an unflattering picture in the Columbia Journalism Review. In...

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/Michael Le Brecht II)
TROY AIKMAN, JOE BUCK

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

ESPN's decision to extend Joe Buck but not Troy Aikman has caused tension between the longtime partners and friends, just...

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

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

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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

Al Michaels, play by play sportscaster walks on the field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Falcons in Green Bay, Wis., Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Amazon

Prime Video’s Al Michaels pragmatic on future

Super Bowl LVIII on Sunday, February 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pictured: Jim Nantz. Photo: Mary Kouw/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Broadcasters

Nantz confident Romo will work again, says he’s back to “traditional” role with Watt

Big Names

News: NFL, NASCAR, NWSL and more

by Derek Futterman

6 days ago

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Miles Killebrew (29) celebrates after the Buccaneers recovered a fumbled kickoff return by the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Amazon

Cowboys boost “TNF” to its top Week 5 audience on record

7 days ago

Big Names

NBC committed to Miller, Crawford, as lead NBA analysts

by Derek Futterman

7 days ago

Pittsburgh, PA - April 23, 2026 - Acrisure Stadium: Theatre set of the NFL Networks NFL Draft coverage during the 2026 NFL Draft.
(Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)

ABC

NFL Network, ESPNU, to carry Super Bowl altcasts