Welcome to the podcast home of Jon Lewis&#39; SportsMediaWatch.com website. Get all the latest news and insight on everything from ESPN, to the over the air networks like: NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC. Critiquing of the shows, the personalities and production of it all is found right here.So, make sure to follow/subscribe to us where ever hear your podcasts with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, Google, etc.!

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/6/27/0/d4128030-8a49-43ab-af04-e569dcda69cc_smw71_final_01-1.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start the show discussing more viewership records for the Clark-sparked WNBA, including the Fever-Sky game that beat its own one week old record and a Fever game that set another record for ION. Then, Jon dives into his new piece on why the NBA has been able to land such lucrative media rights deals despite so-so NBA Finals viewership. The crew closes out the show talking about Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals and the new Big East media rights deals. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Why NBA rights are so expensive despite lower Finals ratings (plus: WNBA ratings, Stanley Cup coverage)

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/6/19/15/698fcd68-f77e-47d6-9390-8a94c42b6b28_smw70_final.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start the show discussing the lackluster NBA Finals viewership before shifting over to a conversation about Charles Barkley&#39;s latest retirement saga, and whether his announcement this time around is different than the past. Then, the crew wraps up with U.S. Open viewership and the Stanley Cup Finals. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

NBA Finals ratings dud and should we believe Charles Barkley's retirement announcement?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/6/12/15/8f505447-c65a-4212-b75d-b292cb3805b3_smw69_final.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at how the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals are faring from a ratings perspective through two games. Then, the crew closes out the show with a discussion on TNT&#39;s recent media rights acquisitions, whether the network is doing enough to maintain its rates with distributors, and if they&#39;ll secure a fourth package of NBA games. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

NBA and Stanley Cup Final ratings and Warner Bros. Discovery's sports strategy

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/6/6/4/5e325702-b5d0-4e37-8e6e-50c357d53259_newpod2.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner unpack the media discourse surrounding the WNBA, including recent incidents with Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee. The crew then discusses the NBA Finals before having an impromptu conversation about the league&#39;s media rights deal and what it signals for the cable industry writ large. Jon and Drew wrap up with a discussion on the Stanley Cup Finals. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Caitlin Clark media meltdown, plus NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final ratings previews

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/5/30/3/5df4609a-5dd5-4501-a891-6dbae880374b_smw67_final2.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the legacy of Bill Walton and his prolific broadcasting career. Afterwards, the crew closes out the show with a ratings roundup of the Indy 500, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and NBA Conference Finals. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Remembering Bill Walton, plus holiday weekend ratings

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/5/22/19/0a37bd60-37b6-4c87-8e5c-a17aae92dcd0_untitled_session_3_mixdown.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner quickly go over weekend ratings for the NBA, PGA Championship, and Preakness before diving into our main topic: ESPN&#39;s game 7 broadcast of Knicks-Pacers. Jon details how ESPN&#39;s failures have resulted in a product that has become a disservice to NBA viewers, why the problem is systemic, and whether the network can reverse course over its next decade-plus of NBA rights. The crew closes out the show with a discussion of the coverage surrounding Scottie Scheffler&#39;s incident Friday at the PGA Championship. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

The problem with ESPN's NBA coverage; plus, weekend ratings and Golf Channel skips Scheffler

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/5/16/2/ffeb27e4-2ded-460c-ab8a-4f009ecfbef7_smw65_final.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner run through the many announcements surrounding the NFL&#39;s schedule release, starting with the league&#39;s decision to give NBC and FOX extra Week 16 games that will directly compete with the College Football Playoff. Then, Jon and Drew discuss what we know about the first couple weeks of the NFL schedule, how Tom Brady will fare at FOX, and NBC producing three standalone games in Week 1. The crew then gets into NBA playoff ratings and the ongoing NBA rights negotiations as WBD looks less and less likely to retain its package. Jon and Drew close out the show with some WNBA discussion as Caitlin Clark debuts with the Indiana Fever. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

NFL takes on CFP, Tom Brady and Greg Olsen, NBA playoff ratings, Caitlin Clark expectations and more

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/5/8/18/8b8556b3-3bfc-417c-a9ce-9bc548fae6c8_smw64_final.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the latest reporting surrounding the NBA media rights negotiations and whether NBC or TNT would be a better partner for the league. Then, the crew jumps into a ratings roundup and takes a look at weekend ratings from the NBA, Kentucky Derby, and NHL. Jon and Drew close out the show with some quick hitters including NBC&#39;s U.S. Open coverage plans, MLB on Roku, Michael Irvin, The NFL Today shakeup, ABC&#39;s Monday Night Football inventory, and the upcoming WNBA season. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

NBA media rights: should NBA want WBD or Comcast? Plus: weekend ratings and hot topics

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/5/1/21/bb64c11c-80f1-4bdb-9153-683dcb6ff2ad_smw63_final.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into all the reporting surrounding NBA rights negotiations. To start, the crew discusses whether NBC&#39;s huge bid could mean the end times for the NBA on TNT or if WBD will find a way to match NBC&#39;s deal, or split the package between them. They also discuss possible landing spots for the Inside the NBA crew should TNT miss out on NBA rights. Then, Jon and Drew go over NBA playoff ratings thus far, before returning to a discussion of the live sports rights market writ large, debating whether a huge financial windfall for the NBA bodes well for the MLB and NHL when they go back to market. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Comcast's huge NBA offer, can TNT match, and what it means for the marketplace

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/24/20/046eba22-09aa-413f-817a-786d355e5d76_smw62_final-1.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at recent reporting surrounding the NBA&#39;s media rights negotiations and discuss expectations around the dollar figure the league will ultimately receive, and what the inventory breakdown looks like for the league&#39;s media partners. Then, Jon and Drew go over viewership for the opening weekend of NBA playoffs, and how the postseason is shaping up from a ratings perspective. The crew also takes a look at the substantial year-over-year increase for the NHL&#39;s opening playoff games. To close out the show, Jon and Drew remember ESPN&#39;s Howie Schwab and talk about ESPN under Mark Shapiro. Then Jon has some final remarks on the conversation surrounding the WNBA. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

NBA media rights and ratings, hot start for Stanley Cup, Howie Schawb and the WNBA

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/17/20/1ab330d4-518a-4da8-a7f7-a4ba241b5d7c_smw61_final.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner lead off the podcast discussing yet another Caitlin Clark viewership feat -- this time with a record-setting WNBA Draft. Then, the crew takes a look at how NBA regular season viewership fared and looks forward to potential playoff scenarios. Jon and Drew close out the show with a discussion on the subpar Masters viewership, and whether the property is facing decline in the future. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Caitlin Clark boosts WNBA to 24-year high, NBA playoff preview, Masters ratings recap

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On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner lead off the show with a March Madness viewership discussion, headlined by the massive rating for South Carolina-Iowa in the women&#39;s tournament and why the WNBA can&#39;t seem to capitalize on the successes of women&#39;s college basketball. Then the crew turns its focus to the men, where UConn-Purdue finished a tick up from last year&#39;s title game. Jon and Drew close out the show with a discussion of Norby Williamson&#39;s departure from ESPN. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Women's NCAA title game outdraws men's, can the WNBA capitalize, and Norby Williamson's exit

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On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive deep into the record-setting viewership for Iowa-LSU. The crew covers the 12.3m viewers number in context, what this number means for the Final Four games this Friday, where expectations should be set for women&#39;s college basketball next season without Caitlin Clark, and if this was the most heavily anticipated viewership number ever. Then, Jon and Drew discuss whether or not ESPN&#39;s broadcast of the game was able to meet the moment. They also go over numbers for last weekend&#39;s men&#39;s Elite Eight and the impact of the Easter holiday on out-of-home viewing before closing out the show with a discussion on what it would take to replicate a phenomenon like Caitlin Clark. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Iowa-LSU record audience, reviewing ESPN's coverage, and can the Caitlin Clark phenomenon be repeated?

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On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss viewership for both the men&#39;s and women&#39;s NCAA Tournaments, including Caitlin Clark and Iowa&#39;s record-setting numbers, and how the chalky setup for both tournaments can lead to strong viewership here on out. The crew also discusses the impending Washington Post story on Kim Mulkey and a potential Iowa-LSU rematch in the Elite 8. Jon and Drew then shift to the NFL&#39;s announcement that they will play two games on Christmas Day this upcoming season, before closing out the show with a discussion on gambling in the context of the Shohei Ohtani and Jontay Porter stories. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

March Madness ratings, Kim Mulkey, NFL on Christmas and sports betting scandals

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/20/15/5f690ff8-4f47-4c3d-8d63-3cb6180b6e6e_smw57_final_v2_02.mp3

On today&#39;s episode Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss Selection Sunday viewership and the countless comparisons between the men&#39;s and women&#39;s tournaments in the media. The crew also talks about the new College Football Playoff rights deal and the return of the national title game to ABC. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

NCAA men's and women's hoops comparisons, CFP media rights deal and more

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On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss a potpourri of sports media topics, starting with the huge viewership that women&#39;s college basketball had last week, and whether the sport can sustain that strength post-Caitlin Clark. Then, the crew hits on a few storylines in men&#39;s college basketball including Greg Gumbel&#39;s absence from the CBS studio this year, Ian Eagle taking over the top play-by-play spot, and Bill Walton missing time due to health issues. Jon and Drew end with some quick hitters including the NBA&#39;s exclusive negotiating window opening up, reports that NBC looks likely to pick up a package, WBD turning TruTV into a sports channel, and FOX announcing a Friday night college football package. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

More Caitlin Clark ratings, NCAA Tournament announcers, NBA TV deal and more

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/6/15/30e8a60c-95da-4528-8920-a33a0064b952_smw55_final_01-edit.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into the impact Caitlin Clark is having on women&#39;s basketball. The crew covers the recent viewership records that Clark has helped set, whether a deep run by Iowa in the tournament could threaten to post bigger viewership numbers than the men&#39;s tournament, what Clark&#39;s viewership impact will be for the WNBA, and if she has earned a spot on the USA Olympic team. Jon and Drew close the show with a brief discussion on the legacy of Chris Mortensen. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Caitlin Clark ratings and the future of WCBB and WNBA; plus, passing of Chris Mortensen

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/29/14/bf7d74d2-773d-403e-8b5d-f469e862b740_smw54_final_01-edit2.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at all things NBA, starting with whether the league suffers from its &#34;activist&#34; label stemming from the 2020 season. Then, the crew previews the exclusive negotiating window that starts next month between the league and its incumbent media partners ESPN and TNT. Jon and Drew close out the show talking about how NBA media coverage contributes to the negative perception of the league writ large. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

State of the NBA: Ratings, rights deals and media coverage

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/22/0/269ef38a-7df8-4d2c-ba73-bf863ddf0a70_smw53_final_01-2.mp3

On today&#39;s episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start off by discussing NBA All-Star Weekend, which Sports Media Watch was on-site to cover. The crew talks about viewership, if the format can be changed for the better, and the NBA Tech Summit. Then, Jon and Drew discuss the ongoing uncertainty amidst the College Football Playoff, if ESPN would ever actually pull the agreement, and whether the ESPN-FOX-WBD joint entity could entice a bid from NBC or CBS. The show closes with a discussion on ESPN and FS1&#39;s breaking news coverage during the Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting last week. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

NBA All-Star Weekend recap, CFP future, Kansas City shooting coverage, Daytona 500

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/15/3/e708a55d-9668-4a6d-a12f-e365ebf026e2_smw52_final_01-.mp3

On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the Super Bowl ratings, Tony Romo&#39;s performance on the &#34;Big Game,&#34; the new College Football Playoff extension with ESPN, JJ Redick&#39;s promotion to the NBA Finals broadcast team and more. Advertising Inquiries: <a href='https://redcircle.com/brands'>https://redcircle.com/brands</a> Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='https://redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.com/privacy</a>

Super Bowl ratings, Romo, CFP rights deal, Redick's promotion and more

Welcome to the podcast home of Jon Lewis' SportsMediaWatch.com website. Get all the latest news and insight on everything from ESPN, to the over the air networks like: NBC, CBS, FOX and ABC. Critiquing of the shows, the personalities and production of it all is found right here.

So, make sure to follow/subscribe to us where ever hear your podcasts with Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, Google, etc.!