Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch is stepping down; WWE Smackdown is leaving FOX for USA Network; plus: contract extensions for TNT’s NHL studio analysts and new owners — and a new name — for WBD’s Houston RSN.
Fox chairman Murdoch stepping down
Rupert Murdoch, chairman of Fox Corporation and News Corporation, said Thursday that he will step down in November and shift into an emeritus role. Though he will primarily be remembered for his polarizing impact on U.S. politics, journalism and culture, Murdoch reshaped sports on television in 1993 when his FOX network — at that point just eight years old — acquired NFL rights from the league’s decades-long broadcast partner CBS.
The NFL deal, which prompted a wave of stations to change their affiliations from CBS to FOX, helped transform Fox from a “netlet” best known for “The Simpsons” into an equal of CBS, NBC and ABC. It was followed soon after by acquisitions of Major League Baseball and the NHL, giving FOX three of the “Big Four” sports leagues less than a decade into its existence.
One of the most controversial — and consequential — media executives in history, Murdoch was known to wield a heavy hand over Fox news programming, but exerted less influence over the company’s entertainment and sports properties. (WSJ 9.21)
WWE Smackdown leaving FOX, opening Friday nights for CFB
The WWE announced Thursday that “WWE Smackdown” is leaving FOX and moving back to USA Network under a new five-year deal with NBCUniversal. FOX has aired “Smackdown” since 2019. The move leaves FOX with an open night for college football coverage as the Big Ten and Big 12 prepare to expand to 18 and 16 teams respectively, presumably necessitating more Friday night games.
The “Smackdown” deal is the first for WWE since the organization merged with Endeavor, owner of UFC, to form a new company called TKO Holdings. (WWE PR 9.21)
WBD announces extensions for Gretzky, other NHL studio analysts
Warner Bros. Discovery announced Thursday that it has reached multi-year contract extensions with TNT NHL studio analysts Wayne Gretzky, Paul Bissonnette, Anson Carter and Henrik Lundqvist. Liam McHugh is also returning as host.
In addition, WBD officially announced the acquisition of Brian Boucher, who spent the previous two seasons with ESPN. Boucher will fill the “Inside-the-Glass” vacancy left by Keith Jones on TNT’s lead team of Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk. (WBD PR)
Astros, Rockets, to take over WBD’s Houston RSN
The Astros and Rockets will assume joint ownership of the Warner Bros. Discovery RSN AT&T Sports Net Houston, according to KHOU and the Houston Chronicle. The RSN will be rebranded as the “Space City Home Network” in time for the Rockets’ 2023-24 season opener, per the Chronicle.
Warner Bros. Discovery is in the process of offloading its RSNs. Previously, its Pittsburgh RSN was purchased by the Penguins and rebranded as “SportsNet Pittsburgh.” (KHOU 9.16, Houston Chronicle 9.18)
