
Sports Media Watch Podcast
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.
Latest episodes

Dec 20, 2023 • 43min
Guest Hannah Storm, plus Amazon-Diamond Sports, NFL vs. NBA on Christmas
On today's episode, ESPN's Hannah Storm joins the show to discuss her prolific career on television including her start at CNN Sports, calling the inaugural WNBA season, hosting an NBA Finals with Jordan's Bulls, her time at The Early Show, the challenges she has faced as a woman in sports media, and more. To start the show, Jon and Drew cover the news that Amazon may be interested in a strategic partnership with Diamond Sports that would put the Bally Sports RSNs on Amazon Prime. They also cover last week's NFL ratings and look ahead to the Christmas Day triple header and how the NBA can reclaim some of the Christmas real estate it has lost to football.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 13, 2023 • 56min
Al Michaels' demotion, NBA In-Season Tournament ratings, guest Chris Denari
On today's episode, Jon and Drew welcome longtime Indiana Pacers play-by-play announcer Chris Denari to the show to talk about the In-Season Tournament, Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers, what it's like to become part of the fabric of a franchise, the Indiana Fever possibly getting Caitlin Clark, and living in a basketball-crazed state. Beforehand, Jon and Drew discuss the news that Al Michaels will not return to call a playoff game for NBC this year. Plus: ratings talk around the NBA In-Season Tournament, NFL Week 13, and the MLS Cup Final.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dec 6, 2023 • 32min
Did ratings affect CFP picks? Plus, NFL ratings and what NASCAR rights deal means for NBA
On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss if ratings were what kept Florida State out of the College Football Playoff. Plus: the Philadelphia Eagles as the NFL's new ratings darling; a look ahead to the rest of the NFL season; and NASCAR's new media rights deal in context.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 30, 2023 • 1h 10min
Breaking down Thanksgiving NFL ratings, plus guest Bryan Curtis
On today's episode, Bryan Curtis of The Ringer joins the show to discuss a potpourri of media topics, starting with the news that Sports Illustrated used fictitious, nonexistent authors to byline AI generated stories on their website. Then, Bryan weighs in on the unusual pile-on that happened in the wake of Charissa Thompson's situation last week, and why he doesn't care much for ratings and viewership discourse. Bryan and the crew close out the interview talking about the parallels between college football message boards and the current political landscape, and whether sports media will lean into politics as it did in 2020, or take a more neutral approach as the 2024 election nears. Prior to the interview, Jon and Drew get into a wonky ratings conversation regarding out-of-home viewing and the NFL's Thanksgiving Day games. To close the show, Jon and Drew take on a couple quick hitters: ESPN and TNT intermingling their NBA studio shows for the In-Season Tournament, and a seemingly annual tradition of the "Tiger Woods' return" press conference in the Bahamas.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 22, 2023 • 1h 11min
Monster MNF ratings, guest Alex Faust, plus the Charissa Thompson controversy
On today's episode, Jon and Drew are joined by play-by-play announcer Alex Faust who currently calls NHL for TNT and MSG Network and also does college football for Fox. Faust discusses his career as a broadcaster that covers a wide range of sports, the circumstances leading to his departure from the Los Angeles Kings last season, and how starting his career in corporate America has helped him navigate the sports media industry. Jon and Drew start the show with a brief discussion about the record-setting night for ESPN's Monday Night Football. Following the interview with Faust, Jon and Drew dive into a lengthy conversation about the media's reaction to Charissa Thompson.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 15, 2023 • 55min
Guest Dave Pasch, NFL flex suggestions, NBA In-Season Tournament ratings and more
On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner are joined by ESPN play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch to talk about his career in broadcasting, what it's like to work with Bill Walton, his two decades as voice of the Arizona Cardinals, and calling a Luka Doncic buzzer beater from his basement. Jon and Drew also provide the normal ratings discussion -- how the NFL fared in a week with lackluster primetime matchups, potential flex candidates, NBA in-season tournament ratings, and rumors that Netflix might buy in-season tournament rights. The crew wraps the show discussing Dick Vitale deciding to delay his return to broadcasting as he recovers from vocal cord cancer.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 8, 2023 • 39min
Bally Sports-NBA deal and the future of RSNs, World Series ratings recap and more
On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the situation between Diamond Sports and the NBA and how the local media rights situation will look after the 2023-24 season. Then the crew debriefs on the lackluster World Series viewership and revisits the question of if the ratings actually matter for the sport. Jon and Drew wrap up by discussing the Chiefs-Dolphins game from Frankfurt, and share some travel stories from the past week.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nov 1, 2023 • 25min
World Series ratings lows, 'Do ratings matter?' and Breen extension
On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis discusses the record-low ratings for the World Series, whether and how much ratings should matter to fans, Mike Breen's extension with ESPN and more.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oct 25, 2023 • 32min
Baseball and football ratings, NBA and MLB media rights and more
On the latest Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis discusses the state of Major League Baseball ratings and digs into the latest reporting on both NBA and MLB media rights.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Oct 18, 2023 • 42min
Jets ratings, Rodgers-McAfee, ALCS, sideline reporters, WNBA and more
On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss if the New York Jets are the ratings surprise of this NFL season after they've appeared in the three most watched games so far. Then, the crew talks about the strong number for Game 1 of the ALCS, gets into a longer discussion about Matt Winer's postgame interview "question" for Nick Castellanos, and dives into the role of a sideline reporter more broadly. Jon then gets into WNBA Finals ratings and what a potential Game 5 could garner before closing out with the weekend in college football.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy