ESPN is replacing its Sunday morning news and opinion block with E:60. In other news, Comcast SportsNet RSNs will begin in-market streaming of MLB games this season, and NASCAR is getting rid of the Chase — in name only.
ESPN Replacing OTL/Sports Reporters Block With E:60
- ESPN will replace its hour-long Sunday morning block of Outside the Lines and The Sports Reporters with live editions of E:60 starting in May, the network announced Monday. The news was originally reported by Sports Illustrated. Outside the Lines will continue to air weekdays on ESPN, while The Sports Reporters will be cancelled after 29 years on-air. The new E:60 will be hosted by Bob Ley and Jeremy Schaap. (ESPN Media Zone 1/23, SI.com 1/23)
CSN Networks to Begin Streaming MLB
- The Comcast SportsNet regional sports networks will begin live in-market streaming of Major League Baseball games next season under an agreement between NBC Sports Regional Networks and MLB Advanced Media. Under the deal, which was announced last Thursday, viewers will be able to stream Cubs and White Sox games on CSN Chicago, Phillies games on CSN Philadelphia, and Giants and A’s games on CSN Bay Area, so long as they reside within the respective teams’ territory. The CSN networks already have streaming rights to NBA and NHL games. (NBC Sports Group Press Box 1/19)
NASCAR Chase Now Just “Playoffs”
- NASCAR is rebranding its Chase For the Cup as the “playoffs” next season, part of yet another overhaul of the sport’s premier series. The new moniker was announced Monday, as well as a new points system that will split each individual race into separate heats. With the departure of presenting sponsor Sprint, the premier series had already been rebranded as the NASCAR Cup Series. (Fox Sports 1/23)
