The latest meeting between Serena and Venus Williams is moving up the dial from ESPN2 to ESPN. In other news, the Cubs are planning to launch their own network; NFL Network’s NFL Gameday Prime is heading to FOX affiliates; ESPN will use MegaCast coverage on a regular season game.
Serena vs. Venus Moves Up From ESPN2 to ESPN
Friday’s Serena Williams-Venus Williams US Open match has been moved up from ESPN2 to ESPN, ESPN announced Thursday. ESPN originally planned to carry US Open coverage until 6 PM ET but has extended its window to 9 PM in order to air the Williams match. The tennis will switch to ESPN2 at 9 PM, when ESPN is scheduled to air the Western Kentucky-Wisconsin college football game. It was not immediately clear whether ESPN would stay with the Williams match if it runs into the college football game. [ESPN PR]
The full US Open TV schedule is available here.
Cubs Planning to Launch Own Network
The Chicago Cubs plan to launch their own regional sports network after next season, when the team’s local television deals with NBC Sports Chicago, WGN and ABC affiliate WLS expire, according to multiple reports this week. Per 670 the Score, which first reported the news, the Cubs are weighing whether to go into a partnership with a major media company or run the network alone. The Cubs would walk away from their ownership stake in NBC Sports Chicago, which it shares with the White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks and Comcast. [670 The Score 8.27, Sports Business Daily 8.28]
NFL Network Show Being Offered to FOX Affiliates
NFL Network’s weekly wrap-up show NFL Gameday Prime is being offered to FOX affiliates, Variety reported Thursday. Under the arrangement, the show would air on NFL Network and the local affiliates simultaneously at 11:30 PM ET each Sunday night, a timeslot in which local affiliates generally carry sports-related programming. Fox and NFL Network are entering the first year of a new Thursday Night Football deal. [Variety 8.30]
ESPN Using MegaCast on VT-FSU
ESPN will air MegaCast coverage of Monday’s Virginia Tech-Florida State college football game, the second time it has used the multi-network production on a regular season telecast. It also did so on Ohio State-Indiana at the start of last season. Traditional coverage will air on ESPN, with additional feeds — including a “Blimp Cam” featuring Marty Smith and Ryan McGee inside of a Goodyear blimp hovering over the stadium — available on ESPNU, ESPNEWS and the ESPN app. [ESPN PR 8.27]
