Stayed up late trying to watch some tennis from Melbourne early this morning and failed. Fell asleep, but did turn off the computer and the lights before shutting my eyes for the night. Too often, I find the computer and lights on around 5:30 a.m. At least they were all off this time.
Let’s give you some linkage
Starting with USA Today’s Michael Hiestand has some ratings from sporting events other than the NFL.
James Hibberd from the Hollywood Reporter says the NFC Championship on Fox killed the primetime competition on Sunday.
Stuart Levine of Variety also analyzes the NFL primetime win on Sunday.
Toni Fitzgerald in Media Life Magazine says the ratings for the NFL Conference Championship games were up 34% from last year.
Matthew Futterman of the Wall Street Journal reports that the NFL is looking to offer its version of the RedZone to cell phone providers.
John Eggerton of Broadcasting & Cable writes that the NFL is behind a new bill that prevents interference on wireless microphones.
In Sports Business Daily, Don Muret says the NFL through a licensee will be selling game-used sod from the Super Bowl. The NFL is squeezing revenue any way it can.
Anthony Crupi of Mediaweek writes that Infiniti will advertise on ESPN college basketball telecasts and continue through March Madness on CBS.
David Bauder of the Associated Press says NBC is hoping to reverse its ratings problems with the Winter Olympics next month.
CNBC’s Darren Rovell suggests that Archie Manning, former New Orleans Saints QB and father of current Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning, could be a big winner in Super Bowl marketing campaigns this year.
Darren talks about the famous Cheryl Tiegs see-through swimsuit picture that caused a stir in Sports Illustrated in the late 1970’s.
Writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, Eric Deggans of the St. Petersburg Times wonders if web marketing has killed the buzz for Super Bowl ads.
Chase Wright of the Norwalk (CT) Hour says a local man threatened his wife at knifepoint after she canceled ESPN.
Joe Palladino in the Waterbury (CT) Republican-American profiles a group of students who produce webcasts or local cable public access telecasts of their high school basketball games.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says the NFC Championship drew its highest viewership in 28 years.
Samuel Abt in the Times looks at ESPN’s European ESPN America channel which airs American sports from all US TV networks.
Bob Raissman in the New York Daily News gives rare praise today and it goes to Fox Sports’ Troy Aikman.
Joe Tacopino of the Daily News says women’s groups are urging CBS not to air a pro-family advocacy Super Bowl ad that will star Tim Tebow and his mother.
Keith Groller of the Allentown (PA) Morning Call says the NFL Conference Championship Games received huge audiences on Sunday.
David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun writes about Anita Marks’ departure from CBS Radio’s sports radio station in the Charm City.
The Washington Business Journal picks up a story from the Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand and John Lombardo regarding Ted Leonsis’ talks with Comcast in regards to cable TV rights for the Captals and his bid to secure financing to purchase the Wizards. Leonsis already owns the Capitals.
Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner writes that ESPN’s Jon and Drew Barry will analyze a game together for ESPNU tonight.
Jim adds that tonight’s Lakers-Wizards local Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic feed will be picked up by NBA TV.
Doreen Hemlock of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel writes that local tourism officials are increasing ads in Indiana and Louisiana in hopes of luring visitors for the Super Bowl.
Sarah Talalay of the Sun-Sentinel says with the Super Bowl matchup now in place, local officials are now ramping up for the Big Game.
Mark Story of the Lexington Herald-Leader talks with NBC’s Tom Hammond who misses calling SEC basketball this season.
David Barron of the Houston Chronicle is amazed at the ratings for the NFC Championship.
David has a story on the ratings for NFL Championship Sunday.
John Kiesewetter in the Cincinnati Enquirer has a story on a documentary being produced on Pete Rose’s pursuit of Ty Cobb’s career hit record. And here’s the trailer for the doc.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Bob Wolfley writes that Brett Favre is a major viewing attraction.
Scott Dochterman of the Iowa City Gazette wonders if the NFL would schedule both Conference Championship Games in primetime.
Scott Willoughby of the Denver Post says Olympic athletes are using ESPN’s X Games as preparation for the Winter Olympics.
John Henderson of the Post writes that two Colorado figure skaters who won at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships are already striking gold before the Olympics.
Chad Cripe of the Idaho Statesman reports that Boise State University has renewed a sports broadcast rights deal with a local NBC affiliate for five years.
Joshua Mayers of the Seattle Times says IMG will be hosting a series of prep sports tournaments this summer.
William Houston of Truth & Rumours feels CBS could set a viewership record for the Super Bowl.
The Sports Media Watch says Fox is looking to air two MLB games in primetime this season.
SMW says those games will apparently be filled by the Yankees (there’s a surprise).
SMW says the NFL’s TV ratings are the best in several decades.
Maury Brown in the Biz of Baseball says NESN is claiming it’s the highest rated regional sports network in the country.
Joe Favorito says open wheel racing is looking to find new fans by rebranding and unique sponsorships.
Emmett Jones of Sports Business Digest writes that ESPN’s purchase of a virtual technology firm means it’s looking to insert virtual ads in sports broadcasts.
Steve Lepore of Puck The Media loves NHL Gamecenter Live.
Len Berman has his Top 5 stories of the day.
We’re done for the day.
