

Sports Media Watch Podcast
Jon Lewis
Sports Media Watch founder Jon Lewis is joined each week by Armand Broady for a weekly discussion of the latest developments in the sports media industry, from ratings to rights deals to personnel moves. Go beyond the headlines with the in-depth analyses and historical context that are a hallmark of Sports Media Watch.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 8, 2025 • 52min
RedZone ads, NFL on YouTube, "Big Data" Ratings, Caitlin Clark and more
On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by Derek Futterman for a discussion of the massive backlash to the news that NFL RedZone will now include ads; the NFL's YouTube debut; the impact of "Big Data" on ratings reporting; Caitlin Clark's injury-wracked season; and Pablo Torre's latest scoop.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 31, 2025 • 56min
Corso's farewell, Doris Burke's demotion, Sling vs. ESPN, MLB media rights
On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by Derek Futterman for a discussion about Lee Corso's farewell and the future of College Gameday; Doris Burke's demotion from ESPN's lead NBA team; Sling's $5 day pass vs. ESPN unlimited; and whether the new MLB media rights deal is a bigger win for ESPN or MLB.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 24, 2025 • 55min
35-year ESPN vet Mark Jones talks longevity, style, criticism and more
On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by 35-year ESPN voice Mark Jones for a conversation about his career journey, unique style, how he deals with criticism and much more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 17, 2025 • 1h 3min
ESPN producer Paul Ervin talks issues in live sports production
On a special edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by ESPN NBA and WNBA producer Paul Ervin for an in-depth discussion of issues and challenges in live sports TV production -- what the critics miss, how to prepare for the unexpected and the various balancing acts required of the role. He also discusses the impact of stars like Caitlin Clark missing games, the growth of the WNBA, and why he believes Hubie Brown was "the best analyst in all of sports."Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 9, 2025 • 55min
ESPN's big week: What its massive NFL deal means, what changes, and much more
On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady go in-depth on ESPN's massive deal to acquire NFL Network in exchange for the league taking an equity stake in the network. What it means for the network and its journalistic efforts, what might change for NFL Network employees, and much more. Plus: thoughts on other aspects of ESPN's milestone week, including its direct-to-subscriber product and its hire of a social media influencer.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Aug 1, 2025 • 34min
TelevisaUnivision's Olek Loewenstein talks Spanish-language sports TV
On a special edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady are joined by TelevisaUnivision president of global sports Olek Loewenstein to discuss issues in Spanish-language sports TV -- including whether networks like Univision get enough attention in the sports media niche, the state of soccer ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and much more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jul 26, 2025 • 1h 4min
Summer Deals: ESPN-NFL Media, Paramount-Skydance, MLB and F1 media rights, Barstool-Fox and more
On a summer edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady go into depth on some of the big deals being announced or discussed in recent weeks: ESPN and the NFL potentially acquiring stakes in each other, the Paramount-Skydance merger, media rights negotiations in MLB and F1, Barstool's licensing agreement with Fox and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jun 29, 2025 • 53min
Final thoughts on NBA Finals ratings, ESPN's coverage; plus, NASCAR on Prime recap
On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady offer their final thoughts on the Thunder-Pacers NBA Finals ratings and ESPN's NBA studio coverage, plus recap the first year of NASCAR on Prime Video.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jun 22, 2025 • 50min
How will Game 7 of the NBA Finals do in the ratings? Plus: Stanley Cup recap and U.S. Open
On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss how Game 7 of the NBA Finals may fare in the ratings, plus a recap of the numbers for the Stanley Cup Final and U.S. Open golf.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Jun 18, 2025 • 56min
NBA Finals ratings, ESPN's NBA coverage, and the future of TNT Sports
On the new Sports Media Watch Podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady go in-depth on the low NBA Finals ratings, ESPN's NBA coverage and the future of TNT Sports in the wake of Warner Bros. Discovery's spinoff announcement.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy