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Report: Aikman-Buck relationship strained “for some time”
A detailed report reveals that the long‑standing Joe Buck‑Troy Aikman broadcast partnership has been under strain for weeks, possibly longer, after Buck secured a new ESPN contract. Sources say Aikman feels “double‑crossed” by Buck, ESPN and their agency CAA, noting Buck was receptive to replacing Aikman with Greg Olsen or Kirk Herbstreit. Aikman, who earns $18 million a year, sought a raise to $30 million amid market shifts sparked by Tom Brady’s $38 million deal. Buck reportedly apologized before the recent 49ers‑Commanders game, but Aikman did not respond. The rift surfaces just months before ESPN’s first‑ever Super Bowl broadcast, adding media spotlight to Monday Night Football’s booth.
WNBA Finals opens with Game 1 viewership high
The WNBA Finals opened with a historic audience on Saturday, as Game 1 between the Dream-Valkyries and their opponents averaged 2.06 million viewers across NBC’s linear broadcast and streaming platforms—making it the most‑watched Finals opener ever (second only to the 1997 single‑elimination game). Star Angel Reese headlined the broadcast, which peaked at 3.0 million viewers in a single quarter‑hour, an 11% rise over last year’s best. The game aired against major college football matchups but still outdrew NBC’s prior weekend college football slot. Locally, the Bay Area led with a 4.5 rating.
SMW FAQ: A complete guide to NBA local broadcasts in 2026-27
The NBA’s local TV landscape reshapes for 2026‑27 as former RSN operator Main Street Sports folds. Several teams sign exclusive deals with DAZN, while others move to over‑the‑air partners or launch in‑market streaming. DAZN’s Pete Oliver highlights the influx of playoff teams, including the Knicks. The league appoints Matt Volk (ex‑NESN, SportsNet Pittsburgh) as GM of local media, hinting at further changes ahead of a centralized streaming hub—potentially run by YouTube, ESPN, DAZN or Amazon—for 20‑25 teams at over $1 billion annually. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Hawks shift 74 games to WANF and Peachtree Sports Network, stream on Amazon Prime Video, and keep Bob Rathburn and Dominique Wilkins on TV. The guide lists each franchise’s broadcast options.
SEC takes a backseat on an eventful college football Saturday
The following article " SEC takes a backseat on an eventful college football Saturday " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . On one of the most memorable college football Saturdays in recent memory, the SEC took a rare backseat behind its "power four" rivals. Visit Sports Media Watch for more sports media news and information.
News: Hawks-Prime Video, MLB Network, ESPN and more
The Atlanta Hawks become the NBA’s first team to stream regional games exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, delivering local broadcasts at no extra cost to subscribers. MLB Network announces the end of its long‑running “Intentional Talk” show after 16 seasons, with final episode set for Nov. 4, while hosts Kevin Millar and Ryan Dempster may shift to analyst roles. ESPN unveils a new “Star Wars” animated alternate broadcast for Super Bowl LXI, streaming on Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney+ and the ESPN app. The roundup also notes updates from Netflix, NBC Sports, DAZN and Jon Rothstein.
“Thursday Night Football” hits another high in Week 6
Thursday Night Football hits a new viewership record in Week 6, as the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos and averaged 16.26 million viewers on Amazon Prime Video (including local simulcasts). This marks a 1% rise over last season’s high (Eagles‑Giants, 16.09 M) and the second consecutive week the broadcast tops its weekly record after the Buccaneers‑Cowboys game in Week 5. The season’s five TNF games now average 17.29 million viewers—a 9% increase from last year and the strongest five‑game stretch since 2015. The Broncos’ win peaked at 18.34 million viewers but remains the least‑watched TNF game of the season, facing competition from the MLB NLCS Game 4.
Brewers’ sweep of Dodgers finishes at LCS viewership high
The following article " Brewers’ sweep of Dodgers finishes at LCS viewership high " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . The Brewers and Dodgers produced a second-straight NLCS sweep, but the result was far different on the field -- and in the ratings -- than a year ago. Visit Sports Media Watch for more sports media news and information.
Mike Breen offers support for Fox Sports’ Joe Davis amidst bias claims
Mike Breen publicly backs Fox Sports commentator Joe Davis amid accusations of bias during the Dodgers' playoff run. Speaking at ESPN's NBA preseason call, Breen says he hears no favoritism, noting Davis's neutral calls during the 2024 NLCS and his own experience as a Mets fan. Breen adds that fan backlash is common for announcers covering their own teams, citing similar criticism during the Knicks‑Spurs NBA Finals. He concludes Davis has done an "amazing" job as he prepares for his fifth World Series assignment.
ESPN has its most-watched WNBA Playoffs despite reduced schedule
The following article " ESPN has its most-watched WNBA Playoffs despite reduced schedule " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . Despite missing out on some of the biggest games, ESPN still managed to have its most-watched WNBA Playoffs. ESPN averaged 1.4 million viewers for WNBA playoff coverage this season, up 23% from last year prior to the Finals (1.1M) and the company’s highest average on record at this point of the postseason. Unlike previous years, […] Visit Sports Media Watch...
Something brewing: NLCS stays hot in Games 2 and 3
The following article " Something brewing: NLCS stays hot in Games 2 and 3 " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . Viewers were clearly ready for the Dodgers to face a challenge, and the Brewers delivered — perhaps too well. Through three games, the Brewers-Dodgers National League Championship Series was averaging 7.98 million viewers across FOX and FS1 — officially ranking as the most-watched LCS through three games since Angels-Yankees on FOX in 2009, and the […] Visit Sports Media...
On the Air: Aikman risks jeopardizing reputation and career
The following article " On the Air: Aikman risks jeopardizing reputation and career " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . Is Troy Aikman jeopardizing his future broadcasting career by going public about his contract status at ESPN? Visit Sports Media Watch for more sports media news and information.
ESPN expected to retain exclusive rights to 24-team CFP
The following article " ESPN expected to retain exclusive rights to 24-team CFP " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . ESPN and the College Football Playoff are reportedly close to a deal that would facilitate the expansion of the playoff field to 24 teams. According to multiple reports Thursday, ESPN is close to a deal to retain exclusive rights to an expanded 24-team CFP that would begin next season. The CFP gave no details in […] Visit Sports Media Watch for more sports media new...
NFL average viewership pulls ahead of last year
The following article " NFL average viewership pulls ahead of last year " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . After digging a rare double-digit hole in Week 1, NFL viewership has now pulled ahead of last year through Week 5. NFL regular season windows were averaging 18.8 million viewers across TV and digital platforms through Week 5, up 1% from last year to rank as the highest at this point of the season on […] Visit Sports Media Watch for more sports media news and information.
Aikman believes he will not get new ESPN deal
The following article " Aikman believes he will not get new ESPN deal " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . For the second time in a day, ESPN’s Troy Aikman made clear that he believes his days with the network are numbered. Hours after he said in a Dallas radio interview that he will “be a free agent” at the end of the season and is looking forward to where his “next landing spot may […] Visit Sports Media Watch for more sports media news and information.
News: ESPN NBA, Portland Trail Blazers, LA Clippers and more
The following article " News: ESPN NBA, Portland Trail Blazers, LA Clippers and more " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . ESPN adds Jason Kidd, Jeremy Lin as NBA analysts; Travis Demers to reportedly call Portland Trail Blazers television games “on a trial basis”; and the LA Clippers reintroduce “ClipperVision” with linear distribution. Plus news on Netflix, “Pardon the Interruption,” the UFL and Sports Illustrated. Kidd, Lin join ESPN as NBA analysts Former NBA guards Jason […] V...
Report: FOX has not held contract extension talks with Greg Olsen
The following article " Report: FOX has not held contract extension talks with Greg Olsen " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . The status of Greg Olsen is the latest source of uncertainty in boiling NFL TV hot stove. Fox Sports has not held any contract renewal talks with NFL analyst Greg Olsen, sports media writer Richard Deitsch reported Thursday. Olsen, who joined Fox Sports straight out of retirement in 2020, is currently the company’s secondary NFL […] Visit Sports Media Watc...
Aikman does not deny tension with Buck, mentions “next landing spot”
The following article " Aikman does not deny tension with Buck, mentions “next landing spot” " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . The Troy Aikman situation at ESPN appears to be worsening. Appearing on Dallas’ 96.7 The Ticket Thursday, lead ESPN “Monday Night Football” analyst Troy Aikman did not deny a report that he and longtime “MNF” partner Joe Buck have “tension,” and offered the clearest sign yet that a return to ESPN is not guaranteed. Asked […] Visit Sports Media Watch for...
Marquee SEC rivalries help ABC win another top-heavy CFB weekend
The following article " Marquee SEC rivalries help ABC win another top-heavy CFB weekend " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . A pair of titanic SEC rivalries helped ABC win another top-heavy college football Saturday, while FOX “Big Noon Saturday” finally showed life after several low-wattage weeks. Saturday’s Georgia-Alabama college football game averaged 12.24 million viewers on ABC, trailing only Ohio State-Texas on ABC in week two (13.99M) as the most-watched game of the season....
Dodgers-Brewers rematch opens with milestone audience
The following article " Dodgers-Brewers rematch opens with milestone audience " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . With the Brewers expected to pose a greater challenge than last year — and thus far succeeding — the sequel of last year’s NLCS got off to a far better start. Airing immediately following NFL coverage, Sunday’s Dodgers-Brewers National League Championship Series Game 1 averaged 10.72 million viewers across FOX (10.6M) and Fox Deportes — […] Visit Sports Media Watch fo...
ESPN says it remains “committed to journalism” after ex-producer suggests otherwise
The following article " ESPN says it remains “committed to journalism” after ex-producer suggests otherwise " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . ESPN’s journalism is again coming under scrutiny after an ex-producer painted an unflattering picture in the Columbia Journalism Review. In an article published Wednesday, former ESPN producer Nicole Noren told CJR that reporting on the company’s business partners had become more difficult in the past five-to-seven years, a timeline that sp...
Report alleges “tension,” argument, between Buck and Aikman
The following article " Report alleges “tension,” argument, between Buck and Aikman " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . ESPN’s decision to extend Joe Buck but not Troy Aikman has caused tension between the longtime partners and friends, just months before their first Super Bowl for the company, according to a report Wednesday. Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that there has been “unspoken tension” between Buck and Aikman over their respective […] Visit S...
Prime Video’s Al Michaels pragmatic on future
The following article " Prime Video’s Al Michaels pragmatic on future " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . Prime Video play-by-play voice Al Michaels struck a pragmatic tone about his broadcasting future in an interview with Dan Patrick Wednesday. Visit Sports Media Watch for more sports media news and information.
Nantz confident Romo will work again, says he’s back to “traditional” role with Watt
The following article " Nantz confident Romo will work again, says he’s back to “traditional” role with Watt " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . For the first time since Tony Romo’s arrest and departure from CBS Sports, his longtime broadcast partner Jim Nantz spoke publicly about the situation. Appearing on the Jimmy Traina “Traina Thoughts” podcast, Nantz said he had no role and no say in CBS Sports’ decision to part ways with Romo, with whom he continues to […] Visit Sports Me...
News: NFL, NASCAR, NWSL and more
The following article " News: NFL, NASCAR, NWSL and more " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . NFL EVP/chief media officer Hans Schroeder discusses a potential consistent NFL international window; NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell talks about possibly airing events on CBS; and NWSL commissioner Jessica Berman discusses the league’s forthcoming media rights negotiations. Plus news on the WNBA Finals, Netflix, Nielsen and SiriusXM. Schroeder: NFL international window opportunity for “global s...
Cowboys boost “TNF” to its top Week 5 audience on record
The following article " Cowboys boost “TNF” to its top Week 5 audience on record " originally appeared on Sports Media Watch . The Dallas Cowboys remain an embarrassment of riches for the NFL’s media partners, helping “Thursday Night Football” record its best Week 5 audience. The latest edition of NFL “Thursday Night Football” (Buccaneers-Cowboys) averaged 16.73 million viewers on Prime Video, including local over-the-air simulcasts in the home markets — officially the largest audience on re...
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