| Today sees Major League Baseball present “Opening Day at Home” – a full slate of 30 games nationally available across multiple platforms that will include digital streaming and social media, and essentially creating a full-day event on what would have been Opening Day. With every team already slated to win on this particular Opening Day. Leveraging the hashtag #OpeningDayAtHome, fans will be able to connect with each other while watching their team’s selected game at a set time. Additionally, all games that are part of the “Opening Day at Home” slate will be streaming on the “winning” Club’s respective home page. “Opening Day at Home” also will be an opportunity for MLB to raise awareness for several worthy charities that are helping provide relief to the most vulnerable communities impacted by the pandemic.
MLB’s broadcast partners including ESPN, FOX Sports, MLB Network, SiriusXM and affiliated regional sports networks also plan special programming and content around Opening Day and in the coming weeks. Partners have special access to MLB’s collection of games and memorable moments through its archives. Today, FOX Sports celebrates MLB with a pair of World Series classics. Beginning at 7p on FS1, fans can relive Game 7 of the 2016 World Series in which the Chicago Cubs edged out the Cleveland Indians in a thrilling extra-inning victory, taking home its first World Series title in 108 years. At 10p, the Arizona Diamondbacks step up to the plate in Game 7 of the 2001 Fall Classic, putting together one of the greatest late-game comebacks in World Series history, against the New York Yankees.
PROGRAMMING
The NHL detailed some of its expectations and plans for when the league is ready to resume play, announcing that while they will continue to monitor developments during the 60-day window prescribed by the CDC, the league is hoping to be able to begin offering high-level guidance on the potential of opening a Club training camp period roughly 45 days into the period covered by the CDC’s recommendation. As for the postseason, the league stated that the form and format of resumption of play scenarios will depend entirely on what transpires between now and when the league is permitted and able to
March 30 will see NBC Sports serve up Football Week in America on NBCSN, reliving key NBC Sunday Night Football games, including “record-breaking performances, unforgettable plays, timeless rivalries, an NFL Kickoff game pitting quarterbacking greats, and a Thanksgiving night game featuring Packers passing legends.” Mike Tirico will introduce each night’s matchup on NBCSN, and game presentations will include a specialized ticker featuring live tweets. Content opens with Manning Bowl I & a Classic Brady-Manning Matchup on Monday.
FS1 now has most of its studio shows back on the docket, albeit in a modified format with some new times and in a modified, remote format. First Things First now runs from 9-10a, followed by Undisputed until noon. The Herd is back in its regular timeslot from noon-3p with Speak for Yourself locked in until 4p.
RIDE TV is partnering with PBR on the second season of its popular series, PBR Ride to Glory, featuring the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour and other bull riding events. The series follows “the long road to glory as cowboys travel the country facing off against America’s fiercest bulls.” RIDE TV will air an estimated 40 episodes of PBR Ride to Glory in primetime weekly for the 2020 season, with new episodes premiering every Tuesday night. The show will highlight the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour and other PBR bull riding events.
Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel and World Fishing Network debut their Q2 programming lineup on Monday. Outdoor Channel rings up The Hunt for Monster Bass, Longmire, For Love or Likes, The Obsession of Carter Andrews and Major League Fishing Cups during the period. Sportsman Channel’s Q2 program lineup sees the inclusion of Florida Sportsman Watermen, along with Ray Van Horn’s Captain’s Journey, Catching Bass with Dustin Wilks, The Rifleman, Midlife Mayhem and Origins.
The Boston Celtics and NBC Sports Boston announced the launch of Classic Celtics, a re-airing series of iconic games and key matchups featuring special guest commentary. As part of the telecasts, Boston Celtics players, legends and executives will join NBC Sports Boston talent in providing present-day perspective to a range of previously played games. Programming begins on March 27 when Paul Pierce and Brian Scalabrine reminisce on Boston’s Game 6 victory over the Lakers in 2008.
SiriusXM offers a slate of baseball programming on the MLB Network Radio channel today where listeners can tune in to catch a series of classic Opening Day games that feature standout performances and late-game heroics, plus Opening Day-themed shows with new interviews and commentary from SiriusXM’s panel of baseball hosts and analysts. At 7a on The Leadoff Spot, hosts Steve Phillips and CJ Nitkowski will interview players and managers about their favorite Opening Day memories. At 11a, SiriusXM hosts Mike Ferrin, Mike Stanton, Steve Sax, Brad Lidge, Eduardo Perez, Casey Stern and Jim Duquette will share their Opening Day memories. At 1p, SiriusXM will air a slate of five classic Opening Day games beginning with Dodgers/Giants from March 31, 2011. |
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SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
Anheuser-Busch is shifting its budget for partnerships in the sports and entertainment space to support relief efforts across the country for the COVID-19 pandemic. According to reports, Anheuser-Busch will shift money normally spent on sports and entertainment sponsorships to the American Red Cross with a $5 million donation that will go towards converting arenas and stadiums into temporary blood drive centers. “COVID-19 has changed how we all live our lives, but it hasn’t changed Anheuser-Busch’s priorities and our commitments as an employer, a business partner and a corporate citizen,” said Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch U.S. “While we can’t solve this crisis on our own, we are proud to do what we can to serve and support our communities in need and the heroes on the front lines, using our capabilities, our relationships, and our reach to do our part.”
DIGITAL, DATA & TECH
Stephen Curry hosts a live Instagram Q&A with Dr. Anthony Fauci today at 1p where the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases will join the Warriors’ star to answer questions regarding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to an audience of nearly 30 million users. Curry is currently accepting questions via his Instagram Stories where they will be answered by Dr. Fauci tomorrow on Instagram Live.
The Topps Company and its on-demand platform TOPPS NOW announced “Project 2020,” described as a first of its kind effort that combines some of the most iconic cross-generational cards in the company’s nearly 70 year history with baseball” and will see work re-imagined by artists, cartooners and pop culture influencers. Some of the notable artists on the list include celebrity jewelry designer Ben Yang…aka Ben Baller; Chicago based designed Just Don, who has worked with Kanye West and Nike on major projects; Mexican American tattoo and graffiti artist Mark Machado, known as Mister Cartoon; Australian Tyson Beck, whose recent resign of the NBA logo in the image of Kobe Bryant became an international cause célèbre; New York native and design artist Sophia Chang and L.A. Based streetwear artist Joshua Vides.
Special Olympics, in partnership with WWE, launched a first of its kind fitness video series called School of Strength on www.SpecialOlympics.org. The initiative features four cardio, balance and endurance-focused workout videos with increasing levels of exertion. The videos are accompanied by downloadable interactive toolkits for coaches and caregivers featuring recipes, a fitness tracker, games and health tips and features WWE Superstar Becky Lynch in the ring alongside six Special Olympics athletes.
ESPORTS
In this week’s edition of Cynopsis Esports…
· Evil Geniuses take command of Navy’s esports arsenal
· ESL Mobile Open upgrades
· Revising league schedules
· Racing soars
· TSM adds FUEL to fire
· FaZe Clan deepens G FUEL ties
· Porsche plays Tag
INDUSTRY & ROSTER MOVES
Independent Sports & Entertainment hired Janelle Miller in the new role of Vice President, Talent and Marketing where she will lead recruitment efforts for new marketing clients for ISE across all sports, including active and retired players. Miller comes to ISE after six years at WME Sports where she most recently was an Agent in their Sports Talent Marketing division working to procure brand sponsorship opportunities for high profile athletes and sports personalities. |
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SHINE A SPOTLIGHT
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On This Day
1973: UCLA wins the 35th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship.
In the Know
Sports in fiction week. Mad Max competed against Master Blaster (technically just Blaster) in this post-apocalyptic sport. What is the name of that sport? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city).
Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
What did Alice use as a mallet to play croquet in Alice in Wonderland? Answer: A flamingo. Kudos: Pete Gautieri-A&E Networks/NY; Greg Maltzman-Up Down Digital/NY; Michael Ritz-Lenox Advisors/NY; Sonia Durr-Carat USA/Atlanta; Laura Salisch-Brain Train/New Jersey; Allison Weiner-MMSI/Warwick; Stephanie Ann-Freelance Sports TV Director,/Baltimore; Kathryn Kieser-Haworth Marketing + Media/Minneapolis; Barb Throm-Stealth Creative/St. Louis; Dory Petsrillo-CoxReps/Dallas; Andy Pittman-TAMU/College Station; Wendy Holmes-KCNC-TV/Denver; Tom Moore-Kalt Productions/LA; Larry Hutchings/Nipomo; David Westberg-SAG-AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank |
CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER
UNC TV
RTP NC
Deliver rich media content that is enthusiastically viewed by diverse North Carolinians. At least 6yrs of related experience as a respected leader in content development, curation and delivery. Masters degree journalism/prod/comm. Full info HERE (4/8)
EMAIL MARKETING MGR >>
UNC TV/RTP NC: Lead production, management and reporting for UNC-TV’s email marketing campaigns which includes content development, design and deployment for regular content emails, engagement and fundraising campaigns and ongoing marketing automation. Strong knwlg email mktg practices. Full info HERE (4/8)
SOCIAL MEDIA MGR >>
UNC TV/ RTP NC: leader on the Digital Marketing team, supervising one permanent position, and is responsible for UNC-TV’s social media strategy w/ the goal of building & sustaining an engaged audience and member base across social media platforms. BA deg in discipline related to area. Full info HERE (4/8)
VP MARKETING OPERATIONS >>
Nickelodeon/NYC: Responsible for the overall management and team’s operations, budgeting, facilitating end to end project mngmnt, short-form physical production/mktg shoots, resource coordination, tool management and team management. 10-15 yr exp in a creative operations role. Full info HERE (4/8)
SALES ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE >>
FETV/NYC: Seeking a linear TV sales professional to generate new advertising accounts and revenue. Dvlp sales strategies for new bus. development. Bachelor’s degree; 8+ years of television selling or related advertising sales experience. Full info HERE (4/5)
SENIOR ANALYST, RESEARCH & STRATEGIC INSIGHTS >>
Bravo, Oxygen and E!/NYC: Partner with Finance, Consumer Marketing, Promo Scheduling, and Development to directly impact content strategy and audience targeting. BA degree & 2+ years of Media research experience at a broadcast or cable network, agency or vendor. Full info HERE (4/5)
ACCOUNT DIRECTOR (ADVANCED TV) >>
NBCU/LA: Play a critical role within our fast-paced advertising sales team. 8+ years of relevant direct selling experience in advertising sales (Advanced TV) Full info HERE (4/4)
MEDIA SALES PLANNER >>
Fuse Media/NYC: Experienced candidate to join dynamic team developing customized plans and presentations for Ad Sales clients. 2-4 yrs exp media sales co., or advertising agency pref’d w/strong knwldg media math. Exc problem solving & analytical skills. Full info HERE (4/4)
Sr PUBLICITY & COMMUNICATIONS MGR >>
BABYGRANDE PR/Santa Monica: Motivated PR exec for Sr mgr or above position to dvlp strategies & implement publicity/comm campaigns for content-creators/producers. 5-7 years minimum of publicity and communications exp. Full info HERE (4/3)
MANAGER, DIGITAL SALES OPERATIONS >>
NBCU/NYC: Lead a team of Campaign Specialists responsible for setup, trafficking and optimization of Ad sales campaigns across all NBCU News properties. Min 5 yrs ad ops exp. Knwldg industry tools incl DFP, Operative, Canoe and Freewheel. Full info HERE (4/3)
ANALYST SALES OPERATIONS >>
NBCU/NYC: Help identify, evaluate & dvlp to strengthen the division, expand revenue streams that align with NBCU’s long term convergence strategy between linear & digital operations teams. Min 2 yrs of professional exp in digital advertising. Full info HERE (4/3)
MANAGING DIRECTOR, DIGITAL >>
Spectrum Networks/NYC: Lead talented team of journalist ensuring our trusted news networks engage our audience. Manage digital teams in mult locations. 10+ years relevant newsroom management experience in a fast-paced, constantly evolving digital publishing envir. Full info HERE (4/2)
MANAGING DIRECTOR, DIGITAL MID-WEST >>
Spectrum Networks/Columbus OH: Lead the pioneering approach on delivering impactful and relevant content to the communities we serve. Manage digital teams in mult locations. 10+ years relevant newsroom management experience in a fast-paced, constantly evolving digital publishing envir. Full info HERE (4/2)
MGR, CHILDRENS TV >>
The Jim Henson Co/LA: Self-starter w/ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced envir for Creative Affairs dept. Identify new projects & talent, oversee dvlpmnt of series to pitch & sell to the various ntwrks & studios. Min 2 yrs exp as a Coord in children’s TV w/exp in preschool arena. Full info HERE (4/2)
GRAPHIC OPERATIONS MANAGER >>
PAC-12/SF: Oversee the building, development and localization of studio-based Chyron package. Minimum of 7+ years in production and technical operations is necessary. Full info/apply HERE (4/2)
MGR, BRAND STRATEGY & COMMUNICATIONS >>
PEACOCK – NBCU/NYC: world-class strategist who will bring every aspect of our brand to life—from go-to-market planning, to IP, to audience development. 6 yrs brand planning/marketing strategy exp (TV/DTC) from the entertainment, advertising, or consumer products industry. Full info HERE (4/1)
VP PROGRAMMING >>
TLC/New York or Silver Spring MD: Critical thinker to drive audience growth for TLC’s content. Responsible for inventory planning, scheduling, budgeting, and cross-departmental communication. 10+ yrs relevant exp required. Apply Full info HERE (4/1)
MANAGER, CONTENT ACQUISITIONS DILIGENCE >>
ION TELEVISION/NYC: Resp for quantitative diligence & analytical support for content acquisitions. Transform data-driven insights into quantitative analysis, financial modeling and presentations. Mng Content Mkt Pipeline, incl exhibition & sales history. Full info HERE (4/1)
SPECIALIST – DIGITAL & SOCIAL MEDIA >>
TLC/Silver Spring MD or NYC: Create and publish the best digital & social content experiences for TLC and Discovery Life. Implement effective, innovative & influential social media strategies as the brand’s voice. 3+ yrs exp in social media marketing required. Full info/apply HERE (4/1) |
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