The latest on the drama with Nielsen. Plus: TNT announced its full NHL cast this week; Premier League rights are expected to hit the open market; and more.
Advertisers reportedly “likely” to join push for Nielsen alternative
The push for a new measurement system to challenge Nielsen is “likely” to include media-buying agencies and “even a few advertisers,” Variety reported Wednesday. Per the report, executives with both media and advertising companies have coalesced around the belief that “lending support to a rival measurement operation” may be the only way to prod Nielsen into making their desired changes. Notably, those changes are largely focused on Nielsen’s inability to sufficiently account for viewership on streaming platforms, rather than the COVID-19 related undercounting of viewership for which Nielsen recently lost its accreditation. [Variety 9.15]
TNT announces full NHL cast, including McHugh
Former NBC NHL host Liam McHugh was officially announced as TNT’s NHL host on Wednesday, joining a cast of studio and game commentators heavily weighted toward NBC alums. McHugh will be joined by his former NBC colleague Anson Carter in studio, along with Paul Bisonnette, Rick Tocchet and the previously announced, much-hyped Wayne Gretzky.
Game broadcasts will be headed by the previously announced pairing of Kenny Albert and Eddie Olczyk, with Keith Jones as the “Inside the Glass” reporter. Brendan Burke and Darren Pang will form TNT’s “B” team. Tarik El-Bashir, Jennifer Botterill and Jackie Redmond serve as contributors.
ESPN announced its full game and studio team earlier this year. [Turner Sports PR]
Premier League rights to hit open market
English Premier League clubs are expected to take the league’s U.S. media rights to the open market rather than renewing immediately with incumbent NBC, Bloomberg reported this week. Per the report, the EPL believes it can “double or triple” its current $150 million/year deal and is expected to see interest from ESPN, WarnerMedia, ViacomCBS and potentially Amazon, in addition to NBC.
NBC acquired Premier League rights from ESPN and Fox Sports in 2012 and renewed three years later, holding off the same two networks to retain the rights. [Bloomberg 9.14]
Plus: Hard Knocks, NASCAR schedule, Byington, Curry
The NFL said Thursday that it will debut a new, in-season version of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” November 17. The show will follow the Colts for an undetermined number of episodes. “Hard Knocks,” which debuted in 2001, has previously followed teams during training camp only. … NASCAR is cutting one of its two Pocono (Pa.) races and replacing it with a new event at Gateway Raceway near St. Louis, arguably the biggest change in the new Cup Series schedule that was unveiled Wednesday. Other changes include the planned return of the Auto Club 400 after a two-year absence, the preseason “Clash” moving to the Los Angeles Coliseum, and the Bristol dirt race moving to a rare primetime Easter Sunday slot. … The Milwaukee Bucks this week named Lisa Byington their new play-by-play voice, replacing the retired Jim Paschke. Byington, who has called games for a variety of local and national outlets, is the first woman to hold the lead role for any NBA team. … Golden State Warriors G Stephen Curry will contribute to NBC’s Ryder Cup coverage, it was announced this week, part of a broader agreement between his company and the network. [NFL PR 9.16, NASCAR.com 9.15, AP via NBA.com 9.15, The Athletic 9.14]
