YouTube TV will continue to provide the Fox-branded regional sports networks for now. Also: the longtime executive producer of the ESPYs has died; ESPN has re-signed Ryan Smith; and more.
YouTube TV keeping Fox RSNs for now
YouTube TV, which was set to drop the Fox Sports-branded regional sports networks on Saturday, has agreed to a temporary contract extension with the RSNs new owner, Sinclair Broadcast Group, that will keep the channels on the streaming provider as negotiations continue. It was not clear how long the extension would last.
Since Sinclair took over the RSNs last summer, they have been dropped by Dish-owned Sling and by Fubo TV. [Broadcasting & Cable 2.28]
ESPY, NFL Honors EP Mandt dies
Maura Mandt, the longtime executive producer of ESPN’s ESPY Awards, died Friday. No other information was available. Mandt had been EP of the ESPYs since 2002. Through her company MaggieVision Productions, she also served as EP of the NFL Honors. [ESPN.com 2.29]
ESPN extends Smith
ESPN has reached a contract extension with anchor and reporter Ryan Smith, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday. Smith, who has been with ESPN since 2013, will continue in his current roles hosting Outside the Lines and SportsCenter and serving as an ESPN legal analyst. [Philadelphia Inquirer 2.28]
Also: Gameday, Golf Channel, MotoGP
The basketball version of ESPN’s College Gameday will head to Dayton, Ohio, next week for George Washington-Dayton, marking the first time it has visited the school. … Golf Channel is relocating its offices from Orlando, Fla., where it has been based since its 1995 launch, to NBC Sports’ Stamford, Conn., studios, according to The Big Lead and No Laying Up … NBC Sports announced Friday that it has acquired rights to MotoGP racing, replacing the series’ previous partner beIN Sports. The news was first announced last month by Sports Business Journal. The NBC broadcast network will carry four races on tape delay this season. [ESPN PR 2.28; The Big Lead 2.28; NBC Sports PR 2.28]
