Who on TV is winning the World Cup and who is losing it.
Why Alexi Lalas and Zlatan Ibrahimović studio hubbub shows soccer viewing has matured. Plus, ESPN’s programming decisions, NBC’s MLB and golf coverage, YouTube dominance, UFC White House ratings, Nolan Ryan and USA Sports’ future.
It is a 33-minute “Marchand & Meterparel: Everybody Loves Sports Media.”
1. ⬆️⬇️ What’s Up, What’s Down: Fox’s World Cup Coverage
The World Cup TV revolution is here in the US. The analyst who has had a monster tournament. Why Lalas is hearing it from all sides. And the day Fox got really right. Plus, the play-by-players up and down.
2. 📺 ESPN & NBC Old School
A championship moment sparked some old-school ESPN magic — and a standout PTI fill-ins, while NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball has a lot of pluses, but … Also, Linda Cohn retired after we recorded, but we discussed her phrase, “Master batter.”
3. 📺 Has YouTube Already Won?
Netflix. Amazon Prime Video. ESPN. On & On. Everyone’s fighting for your screen — but has YouTube already won. Why it can control the board.
4. ⛳ NBC’s US Open Coverage Reviewed
What NBC got right
5. 🥊 UFC at the White House Numbers: What to make of them?
A promise of Super Bowl numbers. The ratings are in — and we have thoughts.
6. ⚾️ Everybody Loves Local: The Baltimore Orioles crew
Meterparel has high praise.
7. 🏒 USA Sports, Nolan Ryan & ‘Cakes Are Baking’
Could USA Sports be a surprise player for MLB or NHL rights? We dig into their ambitions. Plus, Papa Clicker weighs in on the Nolan Ryan biography you might like and the “Cakes are Baking” game is back with Marchand entering 6-for-24.
Bold Faced Names In The Pod: Marcelo Balboa, Alexi Lalas, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thierry Henry, Rebecca Lowe, Stuart Holden, John Strong, Juergen Sommer, Taylor Twellman, John Ourand, Jason Benetti, Anthony Rizzo, John Kruk, John Franco, Stephen A. Smith, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Frank Isola, Pat McAfee, Peter Schrager, Rich Eisen, Linda Cohn, Norby Williamson, Rece Davis, Matt Hong, Dana White, Ronda Rousey, Michelle Obama, Mike Tirico, Joe Buck, Al Michaels, Jim Nantz, Chris Fowler, Ian Eagle, JP Dellacamera, Jacqui Oatley, Ian Darke, Mark Scott, Dan Hicks, Brad Faxon, Wyndham Clark, Kevin Brown, Ben McDonald, Jim Palmer, Melanie Newman, Josh Lewin, Papa Clicker, Nolan Ryan, Red Murph, Tim Brown, Clyde Drexler, Meryl Streep, Kurt Warner, Richard Deitsch, Phil Sanford, Oliver Kahn, Tom Brady, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Adam Schein, Derek Rae, Rob Stone, Marv Albert, Jack Edwards, Keith Jackson & Darren Fletcher
On Deck by Thursday Morning: ESPN’s Shams Charania
