John Skipper is leaving Meadowlark Media; Fubo still planning to launch a sports “skinny bundle”; the future of the NBA’s cable network is uncertain; and more.
Skipper leaving Meadowlark Media
Former ESPN president John Skipper is exiting Meadowlark Media, his partnership with former ESPN host Dan Le Batard, according to Front Office Sports. Skipper formed the partnership with Le Batard following his 2017 departure from ESPN and a brief stint with DAZN.
The move comes as the company’s deal with DraftKings sportsbook, which sponsored Meadowlark’s podcast network with a $51 million contract, is set to expire soon. The flagship show is currently simulcast on Peacock as part of a separate deal. The company had also announced recent deals to produce content for Apple TV+, although those efforts will be de-emphasized moving forward.
Fubo sports bundle coming soon
Internet pay-TV provider Fubo said on an earnings call Friday it is continuing plans to launch a sports-specific streaming bundle this fall. While ESPN programming is secured thanks to the planned merger of Fubo and Disney’s Hulu+Live TV service, the company is working to secure programming agreements from other major sports networks. Essentially a revival of the original Venu Sports plan, the bundle would offer sports cable networks at a lower cost by trimming entertainment networks.
Regarding the merger with Hulu, CEO David Gandler said, that Fubo is “excited about our agreement” and that they are navigating regulatory hurdles. Reports last month suggested the US Justice Department intended to examine the merger.
The planned bundle is one of several new direct-to-consumer sports streaming options set to launch this fall, along with the long-awaited ESPN DTC product and Fox’s own streaming service. Comcast, Paramount, and WBD all currently offer most of their sports content on a direct-to-subscriber basis via Peacock, Paramount+, and Max, respectively.
NBA TV future still undecided
NBA executives have not responded to a proposal from TNT Sports about the future operations of the NBA TV cable network, according to Puck’s John Ourand. Ourand reports the channel will continue to carry “some” regular-season games on a non-exclusive basis, but that the league does not have a firm plan for the network. All playoff inventory will be exclusive to ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video in the new rights agreements set to begin next season.
Days after the league-owned NBA TV cable network aired its final playoff game, the future of the network is still unclear. Warner Bros Discovery will continue to operate the channel as part of its new deal with the NBA, despite losing domestic rights to air games on TNT.
Ourand notes that the distribution of NBA TV has fallen quickly in the last several years. The currently available in 28.7 million homes, more than MLB Network, less than NFL Network, but less than half the distribution of ESPN, FS1, and TNT.
Plus: Micheletti, WNBA on ESPN, PBA, BIG3
— MSG Network Rangers analyst Joe Micheletti will retire and not return next season, according to The Athletic. Micheletti will follow his partner, Sam Rosen, whose retirement was announced months ago. Kenny Albert will succeed Rosen on MSG’s Rangers coverage. Potential replacements for Micheletti include Albert’s Rangers radio partner Dave Maloney or Ryan Callahan of ESPN.
— ESPN is expanding its WNBA studio coverage and adding lead NBA host Malika Andrews to its lineup. Andrews will anchor editions on ESPN from Los Angeles alongside Monica McNutt and Carolyn Peck, while ABC editions will be led by Elle Duncan with Chiney Ogwumike and Andraya Carter from Bristol.
— The CW has added PBA bowling to its lineup as part of a multi-year deal beginning in 2026. The network will air ten two-hour windows on Sunday afternoons. Events previously aired on Fox.
— Former ESPN and TNT NBA broadcaster Chris Haynes will join the broadcast team for BIG3 basketball this summer, according to Awful Announcing. Events will air on CBS, CBS Sports Network and, as was announced earlier this week, Vice TV.
