\r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nBR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nFOS: What do you think of NIL and the transfer portal?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nI just sort of do whatever they ask and, God willing, if they still want me I still enjoy doing it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: What do you think of NIL and the transfer portal?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nBR: Not really. I’ve been blessed with support from other people, so I never really think about it. I’m sure at some point they’ll let me know if you’re not doing your job, but I just sort of take each year as it goes. It’s been delightful this year. There’s never really been a year in my mind where I’ve felt tired. Plus, the tournament rejuvenates you. It’s like a whole different step up.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI just sort of do whatever they ask and, God willing, if they still want me I still enjoy doing it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: What do you think of NIL and the transfer portal?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nFOS: I’m not sure if any of my tweets have ever reached you, but I always love when I’m watching a game on CBS or Fox and you pop up. I still think you’re sharp as a tack, and it’s a joy to have you on any of these games. Have you given thought on how much longer you want to do it?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: Not really. I’ve been blessed with support from other people, so I never really think about it. I’m sure at some point they’ll let me know if you’re not doing your job, but I just sort of take each year as it goes. It’s been delightful this year. There’s never really been a year in my mind where I’ve felt tired. Plus, the tournament rejuvenates you. It’s like a whole different step up.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI just sort of do whatever they ask and, God willing, if they still want me I still enjoy doing it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: What do you think of NIL and the transfer portal?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nIt’s all about teamwork. We all enjoy one another, like one another, sharing. Whether it’s being recognized by others, I’m not sure, but we always felt very good about it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: I’m not sure if any of my tweets have ever reached you, but I always love when I’m watching a game on CBS or Fox and you pop up. I still think you’re sharp as a tack, and it’s a joy to have you on any of these games. Have you given thought on how much longer you want to do it?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: Not really. I’ve been blessed with support from other people, so I never really think about it. I’m sure at some point they’ll let me know if you’re not doing your job, but I just sort of take each year as it goes. It’s been delightful this year. There’s never really been a year in my mind where I’ve felt tired. Plus, the tournament rejuvenates you. It’s like a whole different step up.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI just sort of do whatever they ask and, God willing, if they still want me I still enjoy doing it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: What do you think of NIL and the transfer portal?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nBill Raftery: Well, I never thought it was any different, to be honest with you. Grant, I’ve worked with. With Jim [Nantz] obviously. And Ian, I’ve worked with for many, many years with the New Jersey Nets.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt’s all about teamwork. We all enjoy one another, like one another, sharing. Whether it’s being recognized by others, I’m not sure, but we always felt very good about it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: I’m not sure if any of my tweets have ever reached you, but I always love when I’m watching a game on CBS or Fox and you pop up. I still think you’re sharp as a tack, and it’s a joy to have you on any of these games. Have you given thought on how much longer you want to do it?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: Not really. I’ve been blessed with support from other people, so I never really think about it. I’m sure at some point they’ll let me know if you’re not doing your job, but I just sort of take each year as it goes. It’s been delightful this year. There’s never really been a year in my mind where I’ve felt tired. Plus, the tournament rejuvenates you. It’s like a whole different step up.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI just sort of do whatever they ask and, God willing, if they still want me I still enjoy doing it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: What do you think of NIL and the transfer portal?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content ); \r\n\r\nFront Office Sports: It seems like the chemistry with you, Ian Eagle, and Grant Hill has really picked up in your second season together. Do you think that things are starting to go more smoothly?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBill Raftery: Well, I never thought it was any different, to be honest with you. Grant, I’ve worked with. With Jim [Nantz] obviously. And Ian, I’ve worked with for many, many years with the New Jersey Nets.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt’s all about teamwork. We all enjoy one another, like one another, sharing. Whether it’s being recognized by others, I’m not sure, but we always felt very good about it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: I’m not sure if any of my tweets have ever reached you, but I always love when I’m watching a game on CBS or Fox and you pop up. I still think you’re sharp as a tack, and it’s a joy to have you on any of these games. Have you given thought on how much longer you want to do it?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: Not really. I’ve been blessed with support from other people, so I never really think about it. I’m sure at some point they’ll let me know if you’re not doing your job, but I just sort of take each year as it goes. It’s been delightful this year. There’s never really been a year in my mind where I’ve felt tired. Plus, the tournament rejuvenates you. It’s like a whole different step up.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nI just sort of do whatever they ask and, God willing, if they still want me I still enjoy doing it.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nFOS: What do you think of NIL and the transfer portal?\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nBR: It’s almost like the rules of basketball, where commentators will say, “I don’t like the jump ball possession arrow.” Whatever the rules are, well, what are you gonna do about them? You adhere to them or you get out.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhether you like it or not, whether it’s distasteful or not, it’s just another area where you just have to go full steam ahead. I think there had to be a correction at some point to let the young guys benefit. The level it’s gone has far exceeded what a lot of people thought, but I think calmer minds and heads will prevail and they’ll get it where it’s feasible and reasonable at some point.\r\n\r\nFor more on Bill Raftery’s legendary career and favorite college hoops venues, read the full story here.\r\n\r\n","newsletter_content_4_content_article":177084,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_share_hide":0,"newsletter_content_4_content_article_category_hide":0,"newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_label":"sponsoredby","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_name":"XXXX","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_title":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_img":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_link":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_btn_label":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_tracker":"","newsletter_content_5_content_sponsored_copy":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_title":"Around the Dial","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image":177307,"newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_image_credit":"Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_4_content_custom_copy":"\r\n \tPeyton Manning’s Omaha Productions closed a first-look deal with 20th Television, a division of Disney. The companies are already collaborating on a Hulu series where Glen Powell plays Chad Powers, the character created by Eli Manning in a viral sketch. \r\n \tDespite losing NBA media rights in the U.S., Grant Hill has signed a long-term contract extension with TNT Sports. He'll continue serving as a game analyst for TNT and CBS Sports’ combined NCAA Division I men’s basketball championship coverage.\r\n \tBravo to NFL Live for featuring the drawings of analyst Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, who is autistic. ESPN put Madden’s drawings throughout the studio to honor World Autism Awareness Day. “Cried a lot today—tears of being a proud dad,” wrote Orlovsky on X\/Twitter.\r\n \tKenny Mayne named his top 5 SportsCenter anchors in ESPN history during an appearance on Jemele Hill’s Spolitics podcast. The ex-SC anchor named: Chris Berman, Bob Ley, Dan Patrick, Keith Olbermann, and the late Stuart Scott, with Scott Van Pelt as an alternate.\r\n \tAmazon Prime Video has green-lit a documentary on basketball icon Diana Taurasi. The three-part Taurasi will premiere this summer.\r\n","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_title":"Should the NFL keep adding more Christmas Day games?","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_0_content_qotd_choice_label":"Yes","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices_1_content_qotd_choice_label":"No","newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_choices":2,"newsletter_content_6_content_qotd_prev_results":"Wednesday’s result: 49% of respondents think Fox will replace the retiring Jimmy Johnson this season. 51% think there will be a smaller “Fox NFL Sunday” panel.","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_label":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_title":"Why Sports Leagues Are Betting Big on Streaming’s Reach","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image":177314,"newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_link_tracker":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_image_credit":"Barry Reeger-Imagn Images","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_text":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_button_link":"","newsletter_content_0_content_custom_copy":"\r\n\r\nOne of the biggest sports media stories coming out of the NFL owners meetings is the league announcing a Christmas Day tripleheader. Just as important is who will be showing the games: Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nOnly four years after Prime scored the first exclusive NFL game package with Thursday Night Football, the league is turning to two giant streamers, not linear TV networks, to complete its attempted yuletide takeover from the rival NBA. Despite Netflix passing on a chance to bid for the NFL Draft, it’s also likely the Shield will add a giant streamer like Google\/YouTube to its coverage starting in 2026.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIt wasn’t that long ago that leagues like the NFL and NBA viewed streaming more as a futures bet. Given the disparity in reach versus linear broadcast and cable TV networks, streaming was seen as the future, not the present. So leagues experimented with live games on streaming platforms to see if they could attract elusive younger viewers—and to prepare for the day when streaming overtook traditional TV.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNow, it feels like the pendulum is swinging. Old-fashioned free over-the-air networks are back en vogue because they reach more than 100 million homes. And leagues are increasingly getting into bed with streamers because they want access to their audiences both in the U.S. and worldwide.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nNetflix’s previous Christmas Day doubleheaders averaged 26.5 million viewers, and the platform boasts more than 300 million global subscribers. Prime has more than 180 million subscribers in the U.S. and more than 200 million worldwide. Amazon’s TNF and other shows reach more than 200 million monthly viewers, according to Jeff Bezos’s company. The NBA will likely counter the NFL’s Christmas invasion with its own reach play: putting all five of its Christmas games on linear TV networks ABC and ESPN.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“It’s funny, not long ago people were talking about streamers as presenting a challenge in terms of reach. Now the largest streamers are becoming a reach play. It’s crazy how quickly it changed,” says Sports Media Advisors CEO Doug Perlman.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n“They were talking about streamers having to pay a premium for rights because they didn’t offer the same kind of reach. Now we see leadership at leagues and other properties talking about some streamers as a reach play. They have large subscriber bases, many of whom are not in the pay TV universe, so streaming is the only way to reach them.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nFor more on how streaming is reshaping the sports media landscape, read Michael McCarthy’s full story here."}},"postID":175992,"postFormat":"standard"}; dataLayer.push( dataLayer_content );

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