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Wednesday December 22, 2021
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| A COVID resurgence continues to shake up the hockey scene. ESPN reported yesterday that the NHL and NHL Players’ Association agreed to not participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic men’s hockey tournament in Beijing as a result of the pandemic. As of Dec. 21, the league has postponed 50 games as a result of outbreaks on teams. The NHL had until Jan. 10 to opt out of Olympic participation without financial penalty. On Monday night, the NHL and NHLPA announced a pause in play from Wednesday through Saturday, with all facilities closed. On Sunday, the league announced it would suspend travel between the U.S. and Canada.
PROGRAMMING
ESPN laid out its plans for eight presentations of each College Football Playoff Semifinal that will include the CFP MegaCast production on Dec. 31. In total, nearly 40 presentations will be available across the New Year’s Six, peaking with the CFP Semifinals as the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between Alabama & Cincinnati and the Capital One Orange Bowl between Michigan & Georgia. Across all New Year’s Six games, ESPN will provide fans with three dozen different presentations across the six preeminent bowls. The CFP Semifinals MegaCast will see more than 50 cameras deployed inside AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens with alternate presentations that include: Command Center (ESPN2); Skycast (ESPNU); and All-22 (ESPNEWS).
Speaking of which, Cinemark Holdings is teaming up with ESPN to bring postseason games to Cinemark theatres. This postseason, fans can catch the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship, at select U.S. theatres. “We are thrilled to offer an incredible opportunity for college football fans to gather and cheer on their teams in our immersive auditoriums with larger-than-life screens and surround sound,” said Justin McDaniel, Cinemark SVP Global Content. “This collaboration with ESPN brings together the best in college football and exhibition for a one-of-a-kind viewing experience that will make people feel like they are part of the on-field action.”
The College Football Playoff revealed pregame entertainment for the 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 10. Nine-time Grammy nominee Natalie Grant will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to kickoff. In advance of Grant’s performance, the Nation’s Colors will be presented by a Joint Service Color Guard from the Military Department of Indiana’s Ceremonial Unit, including Indiana and Kentucky members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard.
Last weekend’s PNC Championship, which featured Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf alongside his son Charlie, averaged a Total Audience Delivery of 2.3 million viewers across NBC and Peacock. That represents the most watched PNC Championship since 2000 and a 53% uptick over last year’s event (1.5 million viewers). In addition, GOLF Channel delivered its two largest audiences ever for the PNC Championship, with Saturday’s coverage posting an event-record TAD of 949,000 viewers, which more than doubled the prior record
ESPN and ABC’s Christmas Day tradition continues on Saturday, December 25, with approximately 13 consecutive hours of live NBA coverage across ESPN and ABC platforms for all five NBA games presented by State Farm. The slate tips off exclusively on ESPN with a traditional afternoon Christmas Day game from Madison Square Garden at noon as the Knicks host the Hawks.
Entering its third season of operation in 2022, Athletes Unlimited Softball is expanding to include a new two-week competition that will offer more playing opportunities and compensation to athletes, and more pro softball for fans. The new competition – AUX Softball – will run June 13-26 and feature 42 athletes playing 18 games in a to-be-announced single-city venue. Athletes Unlimited also announced that its third softball championship season will run from July 29 to August 28, returning to Rosemont, Illinois.
FIFA pitched more than 200 member countries on creating biennial World Cups, a plan that is opposed by leaders of European and South American soccer plus the Olympics. The org stated that millions of dollars more were promised to every federation from the $4.4 billion in extra revenue that consultants hired by FIFA projected could be gained by doubling the number of tournaments, according to the AP, with each of the 211 FIFA members informed that they could get up to $25 million instead of the basic $6 million they now get during a four-year World Cup commercial cycle
FOX Sports Films, in association with the brand UNINTERRUPTED, announced that the third season of “Elite Youth” will premiere on Jan. 6 at 6p on FS1. Airing over four consecutive weeks, the series follows the country’s top high school basketball players through the 2021 Elite Youth Basketball League.
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| 2021 RISING STARS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to this year’s Rising Stars, due to be crowned and celebrated this February at the Best of the Best Awards ceremony in NYC. Companies represented include New York Jets, PepsiCo, Google, Fox, MTV Entertainment Group, TLC, CNBC and Mindshare. Tickets will go on sale in January.
VIEW THIS YEAR’S RISING STARS |
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| SPONSORSHIP & PROMOTION
Anheuser-Busch locked in a multi-year renewal as the global exclusive beer and hard seltzer sponsor of the NFL. The partnership will include new opportunities for the Anheuser-Busch brands, led by Bud Light. “We are pleased to continue our partnership with the NFL to build meaningful experiences and connections for football fans across the country,” said Benoit Garbe, Chief Marketing Officer, Anheuser-Busch. “Core to our people-centered mission in marketing at Anheuser-Busch, our objective is to bring together what people most care about and what our brands stand for. Our partnership with the NFL perfectly intersects with that goal.”
FIFA locked in Visa as its inaugural global women’s soccer sponsor a week after launching a new commercial partnership structure. Visa’s deal will see the brand serve as the first official partner of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where the company will serve as the exclusive payment service of the national team tournament. As part of the arrangement, Visa will implement its payment technology throughout tournament venues, while it will also deliver exclusive experiences at the event for fans and clients, as well as activate the player of the match award.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment and FTX US entered into a new partnership that makes FTX US the official cryptocurrency exchange and Non-Fungible Token (NFT) partner for MSE and its properties, including the Washington Capitals, Wizards, Mystics and Capital City Go-Go. FTX US is MSE’s first official partner in the cryptocurrency space.
Inter Miami CF announced a multi-year partnership with the software technology company, XMANNA. As part of the sponsorship agreement, XMANNA becomes the club’s first-ever jersey sleeve partner as well as the Official Loyalty and Gamification Partner of Inter Miami CF. During the 2022 MLS season, XMANNA and Inter Miami CF will together reward fans for their loyalty with exclusive prizes as well as elevate the fan experience through gamification within the Inter Miami CF App.
U.S. Soccer announced that players and staff from the USA’s 2015 and 2019 back-to-back Women’s World Cup champions will receive commemorative championship rings during the upcoming holiday season. U.S. Soccer partnered with Charles & Colvard to create the rings and solicited player feedback in the design process.
DIGITAL, DATA & TECH
After Stephen Curry broke the all-time three-point NBA record, Under Armour announced plans for ‘Changing the Game for Good’ be launching the world’s first wearable cross-platform metaverse sneaker, a replica of the ‘Curry Flow 9’ shoe that Curry was wearing when he broke the record. The show becomes first digital sneaker designed to cross between the major metaverse platforms – Decentraland, Gala Games, Sandbox and Rumble Kong League. The Genesis Curry Flow is minted with a limited 2,974 copies, representing each of Stephen’s career three pointers. The sneakers are priced at $333.00, also paying homage to his record breaking accomplishment.
UFC Fight Pass announced an exclusive, multi-event distribution agreement with Showtime Fighting Championship (FC), a new mixed martial arts promotion founded by former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. Showtime FC will debut on the platform on Feb. 11 at 9p.
GLORY announced the official launch of GLORY Smacks, the digital collectibles experience in partnership with Fandem, where they will market its entire video inventory minted to the blockchain. New users of GLORY Smacks will be given a free Starter Pack which contains a single video NFT. Full packs will go on sale in January along with a complete secondary marketplace for collectors to buy, sell, and trade highlights from their favorite fighters.
Fubo Gaming announced the launch of Fubo Sportsbook in Arizona, marking the second state in which the sportsbook is available. The launch in Arizona, in partnership with the Ak-Chin Indian Community, expands Fubo Sportsbook’s presence in the U.S. following last month’s launch in Iowa.
ESPORTS
ESL Gaming is partnering with Intel and DHL to launch a women’s CS:GO circuit, aiming to boost awareness, provide new opportunities, and improve the representation for all women CS:GO players. The CS:GO ecosystem for women offers $500,000 across regional leagues, standalone events at DreamHack festivals, and ESL Cash Cups. The new leagues feature eight teams in both Europe and North America and a total of $150,000 prize pool. The three best teams from both regions, together with a South American and an Asian-Pacific team coming from open qualifiers, participate in the Global League Finals at DreamHack Dallas (June 3-5, 2022) and DreamHack Winter (November 25-27, 2022). In addition, ESL Gaming committed to instituting a women players council that will aid in defining further details around the CS:GO ecosystem for women as well as a talent development program.
Immortals appointed global sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE as its exclusive global commercial sales agency, which will now work across Immortals’ esports and gaming portfolio, focusing on revenue generation, business development, sponsorship integration, and partnership development. SPORTFIVE will support the commercial development of Immortals’ esports teams across the League of Legends Championship Series, Valorant, and Wild Rift. Additionally, SPORTFIVE will be tasked with seeking out brand partners to integrate into the organization’s owned and operated channels of original content on its YouTube, Twitter, Instagram.
Evolution Championship Series appointed Rick “TheHadou” Thiher as the org’s new General Manager for the world’s largest fighting game event. Thiher will be charged with overseeing the overall strategic vision and direction for the event as well as the day-to-day operations. He will also continue as Event Director for Combo Breaker.
Allied Esports announced that the Allied Esports Truck, North America’s first and only 18-wheel mobile gaming truck, is set to appear at the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the 86th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31 at AT&T Stadium. The special eNASCAR Arcade activation with Goodyear will provide attendees with a unique racing experience as fans get the chance to race each other at some of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks via iRacing simulators on the truck’s main stage.
INDUSTRY & ROSTER MOVES
NBA Africa announced that global economist and New York Times best-selling author Dr. Dambisa Moyo and Academy Award-winning actor and social activist Forest Whitaker have joined NBA Africa as strategic investors. “I’m thrilled to become a strategic investor in NBA Africa as it plans to grow basketball’s presence across the continent,” said Whitaker. “The game of basketball is incredibly inspirational, and my decade working in Africa has shown me how sports can be a transformative method of helping to foster peace, as well as an economic engine for socioeconomic development in areas of conflict. I deeply believe in the league’s commitment to youth empowerment and am so excited to work alongside the NBA Africa family.”
The XFL today announced six new additions to the football operations department. Joining and returning to the league are: Russ Giglio – Senior Director, Player Administration and Officiating Operations; Jim Monos – Senior Director, Football Operations; Brad Campbell – Senior Director, Football Technology; Bobby Monica – Senior Director, Equipment Operations; CJ Cavazos – Director, College and Professional Relations; and David Dykeman – Director, Football Special Projects.
Bill Hancock, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff named Byron Hatch as the CFP’s Chief Operating Officer. Hatch comes to the CFP from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), where he has been assistant commissioner of championships for six years and will be responsible for managing the national championship game and all affiliated events. He will also be the primary liaison with six bowl games that participate in the CFP arrangement, and will also manage the process for selecting sites for the championship games.
GOLF Channel hired Mark Loomis as its Senior Vice President of Production. Loomis will oversee all remote and studio production for GOLF Channel and will report into Molly Solomon, Executive Producer, GOLF Channel and Executive Producer & President, NBC Olympics Production. Loomis will begin in his role at the start of the 2022 calendar year.
For Soccer Ventures reports that it completed a record year of growth, expansion and engagement in 2021. In 2021, FSV saw a 600% increase in revenue (YOY), and are now at 35 full-time employees, up from eight in 2020. In the past year, FSV has partnered with some of the biggest brands in the world: adidas, Pepsi, Lays, Verizon, CBS Sports/Paramount+, Allstate, EA Sports, Ford, Topps, Umbro, Chevron and Gatorade.
SPORTS BROADCAST JOURNAL w/David J. Halberstam
As we wind down to the end of broadcasting’s 100th year, we recap it with a list of sports’ best national broadcasters ever. You’ll see whether your favorite broadcast voice is are on the list. These are national voices:
Top 100 network voices in a century of broadcasting; From TV to radio and through a cross-section of the U.S
Our next list is developed similarly around local voices. Everyone thinks that their team’s voice is the best ever. Let’s see if they’re on the list. Lots of memories
Broadcasting’s centennial: The top 100 LOCAL TV and radio voices on the electronic media’s 100th birthday
A timeline – Major broadcasts, who called them – year by year, how TV coincided with big events like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and more
Broadcasting’s 100th: Celebrating sports on TV from its beginnings after the war through today!
Happy Birthdays and Happy Holidays to all!
Bob Lamey-12-23- Ex-Indy Colts radio
Pat Foley-12-23-Chicago Blackhawks
Jay Bilas-12-24-ESPN
Taryn Hatcher-12-24-NBCS-Philadelphia
Tim Legler-12-26-ESPN
Jay Glazer-Fox Sports
Mickey Redmond-12-27-Red Wings TV
Steve Physioc-12-28-KC Royals
Neil Funk-12-29-Retired-Ch Bulls
Joe Simpson-12-31-Atl Braves
Todd Kalas-12-31-Hou Astros
Lindsay Rhodes-12-31-NFL Ney
Steve Goldstein -1-2-Florida
Colleen Wolfe-1-2-NFL Network
Glenn Geffner-1-5-Miami Marlins
Howie Long-1-6-Fox Sports
Colin Cowherd-1-6-Fox Sports Radio
Paul Allen-1-6-Minnesota Vikings
Sports Broadcast Journal
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| FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
Congratulations to this year’s finalists for Best of the Best Awards! Categories include Best Lifestyle Reality Series, Best Podcast, Best Series for Kids 5-11, Best Diversity Awareness Campaign, Best Social Media Campaign and Best Use of an Influencer.
VIEW THIS YEAR’S BOB FINALISTS |
ON THIS DAY in
1891: The very first game of basketball, under James Naismith rules, is played.
IN THE KNOW
Which NHL team once drafted a fictional player named Taro Tsujimoto? (Email [email protected] with your answer and be sure to include your name, company and city).
Answer to Our Last Sports Trivia Question
What is considered to be the fastest Winter Olympic sport? Answer: Luge. Kudos: Aymon DeMauro-ADM Media & Marketing/NY; Rick Dascher-WarnerMedia Studios/Atlanta; Mark Lehman-Braves/Atlanta; John Kukla-KDFW-KDFI/Dallas-Fort Worth; David Westberg-SAG•AFTRA Credit Union/Burbank; Lorrie Shilling/El Segundo
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SENIOR DIRECTOR, PRODUCTION RISK MANAGEMENT
A+E NETWORKS
LOS ANGELES or REMOTE
Involves evaluating and advising exposures, confirming coverage, and reviewing contractual insurance requirements to manage production related risk. 5 years in high-risk production, extensive knowledge of prod. safety practices, Covid-19 safety, prod. claims and GL & E&O process/renewals. Full info HERE (1/15)
DIRECTOR, FINISHED PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS AND DISTRIBUTION, STREAMING TV
JUKIN MEDIA
LOS ANGELES
Source and identify finished TV program and digital series acquisitions for Streaming FAST Channels. License our TMB/Jukin original Streaming Channel productions for distribution. This position is responsible for negotiating and closing both inbound and outbound deals. 7 yrs of relevant work experience required. Full info HERE (1/13)
VP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
JUKIN MEDIA
NYC, LOS ANGELES
Lead Business Development efforts in the US and beyond. Source, negotiate and close distribution deals for brands like People Are Awesome, FailArmy, Pet Collective, etc. Develop business plans and drive growth around new businesses such as streaming channels, podcasts, self-service licensing platforms, etc. 7 yrs bus. development experience req. Full info HERE (1/13)
PHOTO DIRECTOR
DISCOVERY-MAGNOLIA NETWORK
TX, TN, NY
Experienced Photo Director 7+ Years experience. Excellent grasp of great visual communication and the ability to stretch creatively with each new project. Full info HERE (1/8)
VIDEO EDITOR
DISCOVERY-MAGNOLIA NETWORK
TX, TN, NY
Expert editor in Avid and Final Cut Pro Software, Premiere CC.Technical, organized, uber creative. 6+ yrs exp. Full info HERE (1/8)
DESIGNER, BRAND CREATIVE
DISCOVERY-MAGNOLIA NETWORK
TX, TN, NY
Excellent eye for great design and the ability to stretch creatively with each new project. 4+ years of graphic design experience, preferably within a TV network, studio or agency. Full info HERE (1/8)
VP, DEVELOPMENT >>
VICE TV/BROOKLYN, NY: Know our current slate of on-air series, series under consideration for renewal, projects in the development. Implement a strategic development process while bringing new pitches to larger network group for discussion. Oversee projects from initial inception through production. Proven relationships with producers and production companies req. Full info HERE (1/8)
DIRECTOR SALES RESEARCH
CW
NYC, NY
Develop/execute linear, digital and VOD metrics into cross platform measurement system for companywide use. Work on upfront strategy and ongoing client presentations. Liaison with vendors on new product testing/rollouts. Manage team of 3. 6+ yrs national experience. Strong excel, Nielsen, ComScore, Rentrak, MRI. Full info HERE (1/7)
COORDINATOR, AD SALES
TV ONE
NYC, NY
Fulfill sales orders through the execution of specific allocations and flowcharts. Serve as the primary point of contact for ad agencies to resolve discrepancies, schedule changes and facilitate make goods. Create flowcharts, input advertiser schedules and revisions. Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of experience in advertising sales. Full Info HERE (1/6)
SENIOR SALES ENGINEER
INTERNATINAL WIDEORBIT
NYC, NY
Focus on our international business with a range of WideOrbit products and core WO OMNI solution. 8+ years experience in Broadcast Media required, with a strong preference for applicants with WideOrbit product experience and a strong understanding of the international landscape Canada/Mexico/LATAM. Full info HERE (1/6)
DATA VISUALIZATION MANAGER >>
UP ENTERTAINMENT/ATLANTA GA: Design, build, deploy, and maintain reports and dashboards and preparing data for ingestion into visualization tools to create desired visualizations. Maintain research data systems and sources with regular downloads and ingestions. 5-7 years relevant work experience working with data, reporting insights, and managing projects. Full info HERE (1/6)
MANAGER, AUDIENCE RESEARCH >>
WARNER MEDIA/ATLANTA GA, BURBANK CA, NYC NY: Forecasting audiences across linear & digital platforms to drive billion-dollar ad revenue ratecard. Analyzing audience trends optimizing 24/7 programming schedules. Investigating competitive landscape for potential series & movie acquisitions; providing recommendations via detailed analysis & long-term audience projections. 5+ yrs of work exp. Full info HERE (1/5)
SALES COORDINATOR >>
MARATHON VENTURES /REMOTE/HYBRID/NY/NJ/CT: Team-oriented, fast-paced, innovative environment to provide clients with the highest level of service. Ability to shadow and train with new sales assistant hires. Monitor and assist account executives with accounts and performance of campaigns. Resolve billing discrepancies, and manage all billing processes both pre- and post-campaign. Full info HERE (1/5)
SALES PLANNER >>
MARATHON VENTURES /REMOTE/HYBRID/NY/NJ/CT: Committed to a remote/hybrid work model, Marathon Ventures Media Sales is looking for Sales Planners to work in a team-oriented, fast-paced, innovative environment to provide clients with the highest level of service. Sales Planners ensure the execution of all advertising schedules, partnering with sales teams and ad agencies. Full info HERE (1/5)
SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST SALES
CW
NYC, NY
Work primarily in the digital space but also Linear/VOD and Cross-platform. Develop/analyze metrics using syndicated & proprietary tools to show growth, trends and sales opportunities. 3+ yrs national experience. Strong excel, Nielsen, ComScore, Rentrak, MRI. Full info HERE (1/4)
DIGITAL MEDIA ANALYTICS MANAGER >>
REFUEL AGENCY/NYC: Responsible for collecting, analyzing, and reporting performance for multiple campaigns and clients. Improved campaign performance, quick response to client/sales requests and a willingness to adapt to the job role, driving results for our clients’ business. 3-5 years of professional experience in digital/marketing analytics required. Full info HERE (1/4)
SENIOR ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, BRAND PARTNERSHIPS SALES >>
attn:/NYC, CHICAGO: Deliver best-in-class work, manage the deal from initial outreach and creative prospecting, to negotiation, and to close on large scale, multi-platform branded partnerships. Ability to “think on your feet” by developing strategic integrated campaign across all native platforms. 10+ yrs leading digital or social content partnerships w/clients req. Full info HERE (1/4)
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, AD SALES >>
FUSE MEDIA/NYC, NY: Generate profitable sales revenue while exceeding sales quotas and delivering a high level of customer service to media clients. Maintain and build a book of national clients. Proactively recognize and develop clients in target categories. Identify, qualify, call on and establish long-term business relationships. 5-7 years of B2B sales experience req. Full info HERE (1/3)
DIRECTOR OF INDUSTRY PROGRAMMING >>
PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA/NYC, NY: Develop & implement a successful Industry programming strategy & schedule to meet institutional timelines, procure talent, conduct research, & secure the highest-level speakers/panelists & moderators who will enhance the content relevance as well as the prestige select media events. 8+ yrs of Media Industry Event Programming & management required. Full info HERE (1/3)
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT – SPONSORSHIP DEVELOPMENT AND GROUP SALES >>
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP/NYC, NY: Competitive, a self-starter, and exemplary leadership, strategic vision with focused execution of multiple projects at the same time. Hands-on leader who enjoys developing unique marketing solutions to meet the needs of clients, while developing successful strategies that result in accretive revenue. Min of 10 yrs of exp required. Full info HERE (1/3)
SALES PLANNER – DIRECT RESPONSE
CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS
NY, NY
Will provide sales and analytical support to the Direct Response sales team for all Hallmark Channels including managing booking of deals, tracking inventory and maintaining master reports. Bachelor’s Degree in related field, 1-2 yr industry related experience. Knowledge of Wide Orbit is a plus. Full info HERE (12/23)
EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE >>
LITTON ENTERTAINMENT/BURBANK CA: Litton Entertainment is seeking an experienced Executive-In-Charge of Production who will play a key role in the oversight and hands on management of the production processes, personnel for multiple, concurrent projects and the day-to-day operations of the company’s production facilities. Minimum 10 years’ experience in the entertainment industry. Full info HERE (12/23)
DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCER >>
LITTON ENTERTAINMENT/BURBANK CA: Litton Entertainment is seeking a full-time Digital Media Producer to join our digital team. This role includes copywriting and social publishing, asset coordination, social creative concept ideation and content-related project management. Knowledge of producing, publishing, and marketing social media required. Full info HERE (12/23)
CLOSED CAPTIONING EDITOR >>
LITTON ENTERTAINMENT/BURBANK CA: Litton Entertainment is seeking an experienced Closed Captioning Editor to join post-production. This role will be responsible for managing and prepping the delivery of all final episodes to the appropriate network. Basic knowledge of Adobe Premiere is a must, knowledge of Mac Caption is strongly preferred. Full info HERE (12/23)
VP, MULTI-PLATFORM MEDIA PLANNING
CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS
NYC or LA
Will develop promotional strategy across all linear & digital platforms and lead a team while working cross-functionally to align and optimize the execution of strategies to drive ratings and business growth. Bachelor’s Degree, min 10 yr. exp as promo scheduling strategist in Broadcast or Cable Network. Expert with GRIP it! Full info HERE (12/23)
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