NBA media rights and ratings, hot start for Stanley Cup, Howie Schawb and the WNBA
Apr 24, 2024
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Sports media industry analyst Howie Schawb discusses NBA media rights negotiations, viewership for NBA playoffs and NHL's Stanley Cup, and ESPN under Mark Shapiro. The podcast also touches on Howie Schwab's legacy at ESPN and the current state of the WNBA.
NBA media rights negotiations are heading to the open market with potential interest from various broadcasting companies.
The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs had a strong start with a significant increase in ratings and viewership across multiple networks.
Debates over WNBA finances and player salaries reflect the ongoing challenges and negotiations for improved athlete compensation.
Deep dives
Importance of Making a Voting Plan
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NBA Media Rights Negotiations and Speculations
The NBA's exclusive negotiating window with ESPN and Turner has closed, sparking discussions about the league's media rights reaching the open market. Speculations suggest that ESPN and Warner Brothers Discovery are likely to renew their broadcasting deals, with potential interest from Comcast and Amazon. The focus now turns to the financial aspects of the new agreements and the potential increase in NBA's media revenue.
Positive Ratings Start for NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs
The NHL's Stanley Cup Playoffs have kicked off with a strong viewership start, showcasing a 51% increase in ratings and a 60% rise in viewership across ESPN, TBS, and true TV. The weekend start proved successful, offering standalone windows for games and contributing to the heightened interest in the upcoming games. The NHL is anticipated to continue its upward trend in viewership throughout the playoffs.
Perspectives on WNBA Finances and Salary Controversy
Recent discussions around WNBA finances and player salaries have stirred debates and controversies across media platforms. While some argue for equal pay and improved financial earnings for athletes like Caitlin Clark, others highlight the realities of revenue generation and collective bargaining challenges in the league. The focus remains on the WNBA's future growth potential and the ongoing negotiation efforts for better player compensation.
Closing Thoughts on Sports Media Trends
Navigating through a diverse range of sports media topics, from voting plans to media rights negotiations, highlights the dynamic landscape of sports content. The interactions among viewers, leagues, and media platforms continue to shape narratives and discussions within the sports media sphere. As the industry evolves, diverse perspectives and insights contribute to a rich tapestry of sports media coverage and analysis.
On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at recent reporting surrounding the NBA's media rights negotiations and discuss expectations around the dollar figure the league will ultimately receive, and what the inventory breakdown looks like for the league's media partners. Then, Jon and Drew go over viewership for the opening weekend of NBA playoffs, and how the postseason is shaping up from a ratings perspective. The crew also takes a look at the substantial year-over-year increase for the NHL's opening playoff games. To close out the show, Jon and Drew remember ESPN's Howie Schwab and talk about ESPN under Mark Shapiro. Then Jon has some final remarks on the conversation surrounding the WNBA.