PUCK’s John Ourand cited a report from Nielsen which noted ESPN is now in just under 68 million homes, a “dramatic and expensive drop from its peak a decade ago.” Previously, the network was in 100 million homes. Cord-cutting is “impacting every pay TV channel.” FS1 has dropped to 67.9 million homes, and FS2 is currently in 49 million homes. TBS and TNT have “each seen their subscriber numbers shrink" to 66 million homes.” Meanwhile, NFL Network has “fallen below" 50 million homes for the first time in recent memory, to 49.6 million, while NBA TV (36 million) and MLB Network (33 million) have “seen their numbers fall even more dramatically than channels run by traditional media companies” (PUCK, 6/27).
GRAND CLOSING: The CP reported veteran CBC sports broadcaster Scott Russell will retire following his coverage of the Paris Games. This summer “will mark the conclusion” of his nearly 40-year career with CBC. Russell has covered 16 Olympic Games and has been "a fixture at CBC" since 1985, contributing to the network’s broadcasts of six Pan Am Games, six Commonwealth Games, two FIFA World Cups and two FIFA Women’s World Cups. He also “served as host and rink-side reporter” for Hockey Night in Canada for 14 years (CP, 6/27).
MAKING HISTORY: In Chicago, Jeff Agrest noted Marquee Sports Network “will employ the first all-female booth in Cubs history” for the game July 7 against the Angels, with play-by-play voice Beth Mowins, analyst Elise Menaker and reporter Taylor McGregor on the call (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 6/27).
