FS1’s new-look morning show lineup comes into focus after Skip Bayless ouster. Plus: TNT Sports announces broadcasters for Mountain West coverage; Peacock adds 2.8 million subscribers during first six days of the Olympics; Jamal Crawford announces his television “free agency.”
FS1 shakes up morning shows after Bayless ouster
FS1 is set to launch a new morning show lineup after Skip Bayless unceremoniously left the network earlier this summer, the New York Post reported Wednesday. The network will air a new morning show called “Breakfast Ball” from 8 to 10 AM ET with former WFAN host and current host of “The Carton Show” Craig Carton at the helm. He’ll be joined by former Chicago radio host Danny Parkins and former NFL star Mark Schlereth.
In the 10 AM to 12 PM ET time slot formerly filled by Bayless’ “Undisputed,” FS1 will launch “The Facility” with a crew of NFL notables Emmanuel Acho, LeSean McCoy, Chase Daniel and James Jones. The afternoon lineup remains the same with “The Herd” taking 12 to 3 PM ET and “First Things First” from 3 to 5 PM ET. Evening show “Speak” will continue to be hosted by Joy Taylor and feature a couple former “Undisputed” panelists Keyshawn Johnson and Paul Pierce. (NY Post, 8.21)
TNT Sports reveals Mountain West broadcast crew
TNT Sports announced its broadcasting team for truTV’s debut season covering Mountain West Conference football on Wednesday. The package of games marks the first time a Turner Sports property has aired college football since 2006.
The lead team will consist of play-by-play commentator Ari Wolfe, analyst Darius Walker, and sideline reporter Jared Greenberg. Wolfe has a long history calling Mountain West football and currently works for Tennis Channel. Walker has formerly worked for both Fox Sports and ESPN. Play-by-play announcer J.B. Long will call games alongside analyst Mike Golic Jr. in weeks where truTV has a doubleheader.
As for the studio, Adam Lefkoe will helm coverage as the host with a trio of former NFL veterans. Champ Bailey, Takeo Spikes, and Victor Cruz will serve as the panel for truTV’s pregame and postgame shows. The network announced it will air 30 minutes of studio coverage leading in and out of each week’s games. (TNT Sports, 8.21)
Peacock sees subscriber boost from Paris Olympics
NBC’s Peacock streaming service saw a substantial uptick in subscribers during the first week of this summer’s Paris Olympics, per Sportico on Wednesday. Citing research firm Antenna, Peacock reportedly added 2.8 million subscribers in the first six days of the Olympics. Comcast reported that Peacock had 33 million subscribers at the end of June, about a month before the Olympics began.
The surge in subscribers nearly matched the 3 million Peacock gained earlier this year when it exclusively aired a Chiefs-Dolphins Wild Card game. The streaming service will continue to broadcast its fair share of exclusive live sporting events during football season, including a Friday night Eagles-Packers game during the NFL’s opening week along with select Big Ten and Notre Dame games. (Sportico, 8.21)
Crawford reveals he is a TV “free agent”
Jamal Crawford is not signed to any television network for the upcoming NBA season he revealed in a social media post on Tuesday. The former NBA guard has worked in the TNT studio the past three seasons and joined the broadcast team of Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller during the most recent playoffs. In his post, Crawford signaled that he intends to continue calling games. With the NBA set to introduce two new media partners in 2025 — NBC and Amazon — there will certainly be opportunities for him to continue his broadcasting career. (Crawford, 8.20)
