Sports TV Briefs: ESPN+ to Raise Prices; Dems Raise Concerns Over NFL-ESPN Deal; And Should Female Sportscasters Raise Their Skirts?!

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man – Follow me on X.

ESPN+ Raising Price Next Month
ESPN+, which offers limited live sports programming including the NHL Power Play, will rise from $11.99 a month to $12.99 a month on October 21. The increase is part of corporate parent Disney’s move to raise prices on all its programming services including Hulu and Disney+. See this article for more details.

MLB Network’s Big Inning Still In NFL RedZone’s Shadow
The NFL RedZone channel, which offers live look-ins at pivotal game moments, is a media and fan darling with many comparing it favorably to the higher priced NFL Sunday Ticket. But what about MLB’s Big Inning, baseball’s version of multiple screen action? The Athletic reports that MLB Network, which operates the channel found at MLB TV and other outlets, is aiming to make it as successful as its football counterpart. Read The Athletic’s article here for more details on the MLB Network’s plans for Big Inning.

Democratic Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over NFL-ESPN Deal
The NFL and ESPN last month signed a deal that will give the sports network certain league assets including the NFL Network and the linear (cable, satellite) distribution and branding rights to the NFL RedZone channel. In return, the NFL will get a 10 percent stake in ESPN. The proposed agreement, which must be approved by federal regulators, a process that could take a year or more, is now under attack from four Democratic lawmakers who say it could lead to higher programming prices for consumers. With Democratic Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, two leading foes of President Trump, among the four raising the objections in a letter to ESPN and the NFL, it’s unlikely to influence the Trump administration which will ultimately decide whether the deal should be approved. But the president has butted heads in the past with both the NFL and Disney, the owner of ESPN, so we’ll see where this goes.

Apple TV+ to Stream Big Game With Big Playoff Implications
Apple TV+, which has the exclusive rights to two Friday MLB games during the regular season, is often stuck with a lackluster matchup of second division squads. But tomorrow night (September 26), Apple TV+ will stream the Detroit Tigers-Boston Red Sox game at 7 p.m. ET from Fenway Park. Detroit is one game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the AL Central division title after losing a 15.5 game lead while the Red Sox are one win away from a Wild Card slot. This is must viewing for baseball fans. Apple TV+ is $12.99 a month but you can get a free seven-day trial.

Should Female Sportscasters Show More Cleavage?
This may not be breaking news for some male viewers, but some female sportscasters wear short skirts and cleavage-bearing outfits to attract, well, male viewers who tend to watch sports. Often, this is encouraged by their male bosses who worship at the altar of higher ratings, Well, that said, here comes an article from The Daily Mail that reports that Sky Sports presenter Natalie Pinkham has confessed that her TV executive husband is the one who pushes her to wear push-up bras and other risqué clothing. “And he’ll be like, no, but just show the curves of your figure. So he’d like me to be more confident,” she says. To learn more about why Ms. Pinkham and the mister think this makes good sports TV, click here.

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