Sports Media Digest- August 16, 2012

http://sportsmediajournal.com/ NFL Network Finally Reaches Carriage Deal with Cablevision- The NFL Network (NFLN) and Cablevision have reached a multi-year agreement for carriage of NFL Network and the NFL RedZone channel. NFL Network will make its debut in Cablevision homes beginning tomorrow. NFL Network will be available on channel 150 in both standard-definition and HD for customers who subscribe to iO Preferred, iO Silver, iO Gold or the iO Sports & Entertainment Pak. NFL RedZone, which airs on Sundays throughout the regular season, will be offered in both standard-definition and HD on channel 151 as part of the iO Sports & Entertainment PakTime Warner cable is the only large cable provider not to have a deal with the NFL Network. Fox Sports Has a Pair of NFL Preseason Games- Fox Sports will be producing two pre-season NFL contests this week, beginning tonight. Kenny Albert, Darly Johnston, and Tony Siragusa take to the air tonight at 8:00p.m. ET as the Cincinnati Bengals travel to the Atlanta Falcons. Tomorrow at 8:00p.m. ET Thomm Brennaman, Brian Billick, and Laura Okmin call the Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions. Colts/Steelers on NBC’s Sunday Night Preseason Football- NBC gets into the NFL preseason action this Sunday when it televises the Indianapolis Colts at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dan Hicks, Cris Collinsworth, and Michelle Tafoya call the game beginning at 8:00p.m. ET. Boomer Esiason to be Expert Contributor to CBS Sports Radio- CBS Sports and WFAN radio announced today that Boomer Esiason will serve as a contributor to the soon-to-be launched CBS Sports Radio Network. Esiason will deliver commentary and updates on the current headlines weekday mornings during the CBS Sports Minute. Additionally, Esiason will provide unique insight and opinion as CBS Sports Radio’s Senior NFL Analyst. Fox Sports has Two Game Regional MLB Action- The Fox Saturday Baseball Game of the Week returns this weekend. 72% of the country will see the Boston Red Sox at New York Yankees with Kenny Albert, Tim McCarver, and Ken Rosenthal on the call. The rest of the country will get Dick Stockton and Eric Karros calling the Pittsburgh Pirates at St. Louis Cardinals. The Fox Saturday Pregame Show begins at 3:30p.m. ET with Matt Vasgersian, Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac. Cardinals at Reds on Next Week’s MLB Network Showcase Live Game- The MLB Network will produce it next live game telecast next Thursday when the St. Louis Cardinals travel to take on the Cincinnati Reds. Bob Costas and John Smoltz will call the action beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET. Heat/Hornets and Nuggets/Suns On ESPN’s NBA Preseason Schedule- ESPN has announced a pair of preseason games it will air on October 26th. The opener at 8:00p.m. ET will feature the Miami Heat at the New Orleans Hornets with the nightcap at 10:30p.m. consisting of the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns. Jay Williams to Host Interview Series on SiriusXM Radio- SiriusXM Radio announced today that former college basketball and NBA star Jay Williams will be hosting a new interview program. The Crossover with Jay Williams debut show will feature Williams talking with Def Jam co-founder and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. The Crossover with Jay Williams begins tomorrow at 8:00 pm ET on Stars Too, SiriusXM channel 104. Cal Ripken World Series on CBS Sports Network- The top 11-12 year-old youth baseball teams from around the world will meet on the CBS Sports Network for the Cal Ripken World Series. Coverage begins Saturday, August 18 with the U.S. Championship beginning at 5:00 PM, ET and International Championship at 7:30 PM, ET. The winners meet on Sunday, Aug. 19 at 2:00 PM, ET in the World Championship. James Bates announces Saturday’s match-ups, along with analyst Cal Ripken, Jr. and sideline reporter Lou Tilley. Billy Ripken joins Bates, Ripken and Tilley to handle the call for Sunday’s Championship. Professional Bull Riders Returns to CBS Sports Network Tomorrow- The CBS Sports Network will begin its coverage tomorrow of the Professional Bull Riders Bass Pro Shops Chute Out. The action begins at 10:00p.m. ET with Craig Hummer and two-time PBR World Champion Justin McBride on the call, with Leah Garcia reporting from dirt level.