Derek Futterman

News: Netflix, Paramount, FIFA and more No sign of change in Netflix sports approach; Paramount's Ellison discusses NFL "ongoing negotiation" on CNBC; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: No signs of change in @netflix.com sports strategy; Paramount anticipates continuing NFL relationship; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/03/netf...

News: Versant, Bob Costas, David Ross and more Mark Lazarus discusses potential opportunity for Versant; Bob Costas talks about "Sunday Night Baseball" pregame; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Versant CEO Mark Lazarus discusses potential opportunity for sports rights; David Ross returns to @espn.com; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/03/vers...

News: Paramount, Fox, Detroit SportsNet and more Paramount plans to combine HBO Max and Paramount+; Fox thinks its NFL "current pricing is at market"; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Paramount to combine HBO Max, Paramount + after Warner Bros. Discovery transaction; Ilitch Sports + Entertainment to launch Detroit SportsNet; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/03/para...

World Series and Dodgers voice Joe Davis joins the pod; Plus: Mike Tirico's moment and an Olympics wrap Podcast Episode · Sports Media Watch Podcast · March 2 · 58m

Full podcast here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Joe Davis joins the "Sports Media Watch Podcast" to discuss his role calling MLB games on Fox and the Los Angeles Dodgers on Spectrum SportsNet LA, the upcoming World Baseball Classic and more.

Paramount officially announces deal to acquire WBD Paramount has signed a definitive merger agreement under which it will acquire Warner Bros. Discovery in its entirety.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Paramount officially announces deal to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/para...

News: Discovery Global, Paramount, Atlanta Braves and more Discovery Global spinoff would not happen if Paramount-WBD deal gets done; Paramount discusses its NFL future; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Discovery Global spinoff will not go forward with a deal between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery; Paramount discusses its future with the NFL; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/disc...

Netflix bows out of WBD bidding after Paramount offer is deemed 'superior' Warner Bros. Discovery said that Paramount's $31/share offer to acquire the entirety of the company is superior to the Netflix merger.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: @netflix.com backs out of bidding for streaming and studio assets owned by Warner Bros. Discovery after Paramount offer for entire media conglomerate is deemed "a 'company superior proposal.'"

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/netf...

News: Paramount-WBD, YouTube, LA28 and more An update on WBD and Paramount following an amended offer; YouTube reportedly negotiating NFL package; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Warner Bros. Discovery board says revised Paramount offer "could reasonably be expected to lead to a 'company superior proposal'"; YouTube reportedly negotiating for a four-game NFL package; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/para...

News: Paramount-WBD, Atlanta Braves, WNBA and more Paramount reportedly raises offer for WBD; the Atlanta Braves are reportedly in talks with distributors; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Paramount reportedly raises Warner Bros. Discovery offer; the Atlanta Braves are reportedly in talks with distributors ahead of @mlb.com regular season; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/para...

News: Netflix, ESPN, Jalen Rose and more Netflix's Sarandos discusses interest in NFL rights; ESPN's Pitaro talks about company's future with Disney; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: @netflix.com co-CEO Ted Sarandos discussed company's interest in NFL rights in @cnbc.com interview; Jalen Rose will appear on @espn.com Friday in TNT Sports-produced NBA studio programming; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/netf...

News: Main Street, Paramount-WBD, MLBPA and more Main Street sends warn notices to employees; WBD is given a seven-day waiver to have discussions with Paramount; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Main Street Sports Group sends warn notices to employees; Warner Bros. Discovery able to have talks with Paramount through seven-day waiver provided by @netflix.com; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/main...

News: Paramount-WBD, MLB, Chicago Cubs and more Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly "considering reopening" Paramount talks; MLB broadcast changes with ABS; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Warner Bros. Discovery is reportedly "considering reopening" talks with Paramount about a sale; changes to @mlb.com broadcasts with introduction of ABS; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/warn...

SMW FAQ: How MLB TV viewing is changing in 2026 In this installment of the "SMW FAQ," we examine how MLB television viewing is changing for consumers in 2026.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: A look at how @mlb.com TV viewing is changing in 2026.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/smw-...

News: MLB on Netflix, Disney, The Baltimore Banner and more Netflix reportedly "pursuing" Bonds and "trying to sign" Sabathia; a new outlet for D.C. sports coverage; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: @netflix.com reportedly "pursuing" Barry Bonds and "trying to sign" CC Sabathia as it begins @mlb.com rights deal; @espn.com spinoff reportedly not discussed by Disney board to CEO candidates; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/mlb-...

News: NHL media rights, Paramount-WBD, Angels and more NHL has reportedly approached ESPN, TNT Sports about media rights renewals; Paramount updates aspects of WBD bid; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: The NHL has reportedly approached @espn.com and TNT Sports about renewing its media deals; Paramount updates aspects of tender offer to WBD; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/nhl-...

News: YouTube TV, MLB.TV, NFL and more YouTube will launch a sports plan for $65/month; details on the MLB.TV subscription setup for the 2026 season; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: @YouTubeTV reveals pricing for forthcoming Sports plan; purchases of new MLB.TV subscriptions will be through the @espn.com App; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/yout...

How NBC plans to make its sports-heavy February “legendary” NBC is preparing to begin "Legendary February" covering Super Bowl LX, the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and the NBA All-Star Game.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: How NBC is looking to make its sports-heavy February “legendary.” Insights on the presentation of Super Bowl LX, the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games and the NBA All-Star Game from NBC Sports/NBCUniversal.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/how-...

News: Fox Corporation, ESPN-NFL, Fubo and more Fox Corp. could rebalance portfolio as NFL reportedly considers renegotiating; Fubo discusses potential ESPN deal; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Fox Corporation discusses a potential rebalance of its sports portfolio; Fubo Sports could become available for purchase within the "@espn.com commerce flow"; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/fox-...

News: ESPN, NFL international games, TNT Sports and more New details on the ESPN-NFL deal that closed over the weekend; the NFL adds international games; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: New details on the @espn.com and NFL deal as The Walt Disney Company reports quarterly earnings; the NFL adds international games; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/02/espn...

Bob Costas on his return to NBC: His role, his future and more Podcast Episode · Sports Media Watch Podcast · 01/31/2026 · 1h 15m

Full podcast here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Bob Costas joins the “Sports Media Watch Podcast” to discuss his return to NBC Sports, broadcast career and more.

News: Comcast, MLB on NBC, Mike Tirico and more Comcast reports quarterly earnings, including $552 million loss for Peacock; Rizzo reportedly joining NBC Sports; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Comcast reports quarterly earnings, including a $552 million loss for Peacock; Mike Tirico is reportedly "unlikely" to call baseball at NBC; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/comc...

News: Netflix, PGA Tour on CBS, Clayton Kershaw and more Netflix's Peters talks about the company's sports strategy; Mariners' Rizzs makes an announcement re. his future; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: @netflix.com co-CEO Greg Peters discusses the company's approach to live events; Clayton Kershaw reportedly nearing deal with NBC to join @mlb.com coverage; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/netf...

The Playbook: Courtside with Benetti and Kustok Behind the scenes of a Fox women's college basketball doubleheader from Barclays Center with Jason Benetti and Sarah Kustok.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: A behind-the-scenes look at a Fox college basketball broadcast doubleheader with play-by-play announcer Jason Benetti and analyst Sarah Kustok from Barclays Center.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/fox-...

News: Paramount-WBD, Netflix, NFL and more Paramount extends tender offer deadline in its quest to acquire WBD; Netflix boosting its content amortization; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Paramount addresses Discovery Global debt, extends tender offer; @netflix.com to boost content spending; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/para...

The local sports anchoring and reporting playbook An in-depth look at local sports anchoring and reporting on news networks across different markets in the United States.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: The local anchoring and reporting playbook, featuring insights from Bruce Beck, Ashley Wenskoski, Nick Carboni, JP Finlay, Amy Zimmer, Van Tate, Jacques Doucet, Jaime Maggio and Ruthie Polinsky.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/spor...

News: WBD-Netflix, Disney, Nielsen and more Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery amend merger agreement; Nielsen announces streaming milestone; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: @netflix.com moving to all-cash merger agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery; The Walt Disney Company is reportedly expected to name a successor for CEO Bob Iger next month; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/wbd-...

News: Paramount-WBD, Elle Duncan, Michael Jordan and more A judge dismisses Paramount motion to expedite lawsuit against WBD; Elle Duncan reportedly hosting some MLB/NFLX; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: A judge dismisses Paramount motion to expedite lawsuit against Warner Bros. Discovery; Elle Duncan reportedly hosting some @mlb.com coverage on @netflix.com; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/para...

News: Nationals local rights, SailGP, Fox-TikTok and more The Nationals announce MLB partnership for local broadcasts; SailGP inks media rights extension with CBS Sports; and more sports media news.

New on @sportsmediawatch.bsky.social: Local broadcasts of Washington Nationals baseball will be produced, disseminated by @mlb.com; SailGP signs two-year extension with @cbssports.bsky.social; and more sports media news.

www.sportsmediawatch.com/2026/01/wash...