Peter Schrager could have a role on Monday nights; Comcast executives discuss the NBA on NBC and Peacock; and DIRECTV customers will receive access to the ‘Unlimited’ package of ESPN DTC. Plus additional news about Shannon Sharpe, Danny Parkins, SiriusXM and Mary Wise.
Schrager says he will “probably play some role on Monday nights”
ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager said during a recent appearance on the “SI Media” podcast that he will “probably play some role on Monday nights” for ESPN and that he hopes it will be on-site. “I wanted to make a point that I can be on site and be working from the Monday night locales, so I’m going to be doing that a bunch of games,” Schrager said. “Not sure the amount, but I’m hoping to be on site as often as possible and on your screen as much as possible.”
Although he does not know if he will appear on “Countdown” or “NFL Live,” Schrager conveyed that he misses being on the sidelines and would find time in his own schedule to attend games.
Schrager also said that there has not been “a real, concrete conversation yet” on the prospect of him hosting a new show in the 5 PM ET timeslot once occupied by the recently-canceled “Around the Horn,” a possibility reported by Alex Sherman of CNBC earlier in the year. “But if I’m being completely honest, I want to be great. I want to do as much as I possibly can, and my own show would be an absolute dream, and hopefully getting these reps hosting ‘Get Up’ … hopefully that’s a sign that I can do this.”
Peacock price increase could help soften blow of NBA rights fee
Comcast expects its recent $3 per month price increase for Peacock to help soften the financial blow of its new NBA media rights deal, the company’s president Mike Cavanagh said during an earnings call Thursday. Comcast is reportedly paying the league $2.45 billion per annum for the rights under which it will present regular-season and playoff games on NBC and Peacock.
“The impact of this price increase, combined with the strong upfront results … helped position us in the fourth quarter as we launch the NBA and take on higher sports programming expenses, particularly in the first year of the NBA contract when we absorb the full impact of adding these new rights,” Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, said during an earnings call.
Comcast CFO Jason S. Armstrong said the NBA deal is expected to help strengthen Comcast in the second quarter of the year, when it “has historically lacked tentpole sports.” During this year’s recently completed second quarter, Peacock subscribers stayed flat at 41 million.
“Over time, the next few years, we’ll have the opportunity to drive Peacock subscribers higher as we leverage NBA and other content and the [trend] of consumer[s] from the linear ecosystem to the streaming ecosystem continues,” Cavanagh said.
DIRECTV to provide ‘Unlimited’ ESPN DTC package to customers
DIRECTV subscribers will gain access to the “Unlimited” package within the upcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer service for no additional charge, it was announced Thursday. Under the carriage agreement the company reached with Disney last fall — which ended a nearly two-week blackout — it the rights to distribute the ESPN DTC service at no additional cost for its customers.
DIRECTV users already receive the ESPN networks under the existing carriage agreement, making the direct-to-consumer service at least somewhat redundant. The new service, which will be available through the ESPN App, will have enhancements over and above the linear channels. Among the previously reported additions are a “Catch Up to Live” functionality, “Rivals Mode,” and a personalized edition of “SportsCenter.”
“If you buy us through Comcast or Charter or DIRECTV, okay, great,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said at “Off The Record with Andrew Marchand presented by WSC Sports” this past March. “We’re happy with that, but we want you to go to the ESPN App and authenticate because that’s where we’re going to have all of these enhanced experiences, like an integration on betting, an integration on fantasy around live games, commerce integration.”
Plus: Shannon Sharpe, Danny Parkins, SiriusXM, Mary Wise
- Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe addressed the news that he will not be returning to ESPN on a recent edition of the “Nightcap” podcast. Sharpe explained that he is “at peace with” it and enjoyed his time with the network, and he thanked his fans for supporting him over the years.
- FS1 host Danny Parkins is back on 670 The Score hosting a 24-hour radiothon to raise money for cancer research. The “Cubs For A Cure Radiothon” aims to raise $1 million to fight cancer and runs through Friday morning.
- SiriusXM registered a 2% year-over-year decline in revenue for the fiscal second quarter to $2.14 billion amid a $21 million reduction in subscriber revenue. The company continues to invest in its audio content, recently announcing a multiyear agreement with Stephen A. Smith under which he will host and executive produce two new shows starting in September.
- Mary Wise, a three-time AVCA coach of the year, is joining ESPN where she will serve as a women’s college volleyball analyst. Wise retired from coaching in February after over three decades at the University of Florida, and she will make her debut on studio coverage from the AVCA First Serve Invitational on Sunday, Aug. 24.
