Sports Media Watch Podcast

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner kick off the podcast with the bombshell news that the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will merge into one entity, a topic they will return to later in the pod. Viewership news begins with how NBA Finals ratings have been steady year-over-year, despite Heat-Nuggets being a much less attractive matchup on paper than Warriors-Celtics. The crew discusses whether NBA ratings have become inelastic and will always fall within a narrow band, and if the NBA is happy about the stability or would rather see more potential for a ratings "boom." Then Jon and Drew talk about relatively poor Stanley Cup Finals viewership so far, and if the NHL regrets putting their most valuable inventory on cable.The continuation of the PGA/LIV merger discussion gets at how this will impact professional golf from a media standpoint: how the PGA Tour media partners will react to being kept in the dark, what this means for LIV and The CW, and if ratings will even matter for the PGA Tour's bottom line after significant Saudi investment.Jon and Drew conclude the podcast talking a bit about Rose Zhang and if she can move the needle for the LPGA, how College Softball can become an even bigger property for ESPN/ABC, and Jon's views on the show "Succession."Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into NBA viewership in the lead up to a Heat-Nuggets final, including how the Celtics' comeback to force Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals will almost guarantee the NBA an overall playoff viewership increase year-over-year. The crew also touches on some comments Jeff Van Gundy made regarding media coverage of the Nuggets and NBA franchises with smaller brands, and how earlier tip off times could impact finals viewership. Other topics include Stanley Cup Finals viewership, a big picture view of NHL playoff viewership, why Turner always seems to nail their studio shows, and how Indy 500 ratings looked.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the abrupt end to the dream NBA ratings scenario and talk about how the likely Nuggets-Heat final will measure up historically. Jon puts into context how a strong first two rounds will allow the NBA to meet or exceed viewership year over year, despite two abbreviated Conference Finals. The crew also discusses the NBA's issues when it comes to marketing stars that aren't LeBron James or Steph Curry, and if the NBA is in trouble once they retire. Other topics include: the Big Ten deals hitting some bumps in the road and how that looks for the conference and former commissioner Kevin Warren, the PGA Championship hits a 15-year low, how the WNBA fared in Brittney Griner's return, and poor Preakness viewership.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the implications of Peacock's exclusive NFL Wild Card game: why it happened, if this is the new normal for the NFL, the $110m price tag, who NBC's broadcast teams will be, and more. Next, Jon and Drew talk about Pat McAfee's new deal with ESPN, whether it will be beneficial for either side, and if this signals Norby Williamson's waning influence on ESPN programming. Also discussed: NBA ratings, how viewership will look for the Conference Finals, and why a lack of broadcast presence leaves viewership on the table. NHL ratings through the second round, and what to expect for the rest of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. XFL Championship ratings. WNBA season tips off and Brittney Griner returns. And will Doc Rivers return to broadcasting?Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the monster ratings for the NBA's second round matchups, particularly the Warriors-Lakers series, and how even if that marquee series ends early, the NBA is still in great shape from a viewership perspective. They also discuss whether off-the-court stories like the drama surrounding Mat Ishbia and Nikola Jokic can move the needle. Then, the crew reviews Kentucky Derby ratings, if the decline from last year means anything, and why the proliferation of gambling hasn't resulted in viewership growth for the sport. Other topics include: Formula 1 and the Miami Grand Prix, USFL getting a big rating from the Derby lead-in and the Glen Kuiper situation.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss a wide range of ratings stories in sports media starting with the NBA's strong round one numbers. Warriors/Kings Game 7 set a 24-year high and capped off a successful round one overall. The NBA gets the high profile matchups they want for the second round, headlined by Warriors/Lakers. The NHL playoffs also got off to a hot start in round one, but may cool down with large market teams knocked out. Also, NFL Draft ratings were strong, and the league wants you to know it. The crew previews the Kentucky Derby and the rest of the Triple Crown from a viewership perspective. Finally, Jon and Drew touch on spring football, Formula 1, and NASCAR ratings.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss a busy week in sports media starting with another positive ratings week for the NBA. Kings/Warriors set a viewership mark that has not been matched since 2002, the conference semifinals are lining up to be solid viewership draws, and the Knicks continue to underwhelm in the ratings. The crew also takes a look at the first week of NHL playoff numbers, and discusses why the league's deal with Turner gives them a higher floor but lower ceiling. They then get into a little spring football talk with XFL and USFL ratings. Finally, Jon and Drew take on some industry news including the first round of layoffs at ESPN (with Jon providing some anecdotes about long time ESPN PR head Mike Soltys), the WNBA's new TV deal with Scripps Sports, and the most important cable news story of the week -- Charles Barkley's new CNN show.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into the weekend's ratings starting with great viewership numbers for the NBA. The crew covers how these opening weekend numbers stack up historically, what potential matchups would be ratings boons for the league, and why TNT kept airing that disgusting advertisement. Then Jon and Drew discuss the XFL/USFL competition and how the USFL decided to spin their opening weekend ratings, along with some quick discussions on good viewership weeks for the PGA Tour and NASCAR.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, we are joined by Danny Corrales formerly of ESPN's "The Jump" and now Head of Video Podcast Production for The Ringer. Danny discusses podcasting as a medium and the blurring of lines between podcasting and linear television when adding a video component. Then, Danny provides some insightful commentary about the culture at ESPN when he was there, the divide between LA and Bristol, and Norby and Skipper. He also discusses his view on how the media covered the Rachel Nichols and Maria Taylor drama, and how that played out behind the scenes at ESPN. Finally, Danny touches on his time at FuboTV, and why working at The Ringer is great.Also in this episode, Dr. Jon Lewis give his usual ratings roundup with a focus on the Masters.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On today's episode, Dr. Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner break down the record-setting weekend for women's college basketball, what this means for women's basketball more broadly, the media circus surrounding Angel Reese, and which networks would be possible suitors for women's NCAA Tournament rights. The crew also discusses men's Final Four ratings and what to expect from the men's Championship number. Then, Jon and Drew talk about what to expect from The Masters this weekend, and which storylines could draw the biggest audience. Finally, Jon runs through the rest of the weekend in sports ratings including MLB opening day, NHL on ABC, XFL on ESPN, NASCAR on FS1, and even some Pickleball!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy