ESPN will debut a new virtual three-point line during this weekend’s NBA coverage. In other news, Tennis Channel has a new owner and the revamped WNBA Playoffs will air entirely on the ESPN networks.
ESPN to Debut Glowing Three Point Line
- ESPN has announced a new “Virtual 3” graphic that will highlight the NBA’s three-point line in red during play. The network’s rationale is that while most of the three point line is easily visible, the ‘corner three’ can occasionally be obscured. In an interview with Mashable, ESPN NBA producer Tim Corrigan cited Ray Allen’s corner three during the 2013 NBA Finals as an example. The new graphic will debut during ABC’s Spurs/Cavaliers NBA Saturday Primetime game this weekend. (ESPN Media Zone)
Sinclair Purchases Tennis Channel
- The Sinclair Broadcast Group has purchased Tennis Channel for $350 million, it was announced Wednesday. Tennis Channel, which had been independently owned, has full cable rights to the French Open and partial rights (via ESPN sub-license) to the Australian Open. It is currently in 30 million homes, but will increase to 50 million after the acquisition is closed. Though not among the major media corporations, Sinclair owns numerous local broadcast stations across the country and has on occasion made headlines for its political advocacy. (Tennis Channel)
ESPN to Carry Entire WNBA Playoffs
- The ESPN family of networks will carry every game of the revamped WNBA Playoffs, the first time it has aired the league’s complete postseason. The WNBA has shifted to a new playoff format with a maximum of 19 games (four single elimination games and three best-of-five series), down from 23 under the old format (six best-of-three series and one best-of-five final). During the regular season, the ESPN networks will carry 14 games (13 on ESPN2). That pales in comparison to 33 Major League Soccer windows (28 on ESPN), even though the leagues attracted similar regular season audiences last year. (WNBA.com)
