Television industry
A worker cleans seats in Arrowhead Stadium before an NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Even with empty stadiums, NFL still a ratings monster

By Joe Reedy Jan. 07, 2021 07:01 PM EST

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes in the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
For television executives, return of football is good news

By David Bauder Sep. 15, 2020 06:11 PM EDT

Las Vegas Raiders players warms up during an NFL football training camp practice at Allegiant Stadium, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
NFL, TV partners navigating pandemic and future rights deals

By Joe Reedy Sep. 02, 2020 08:24 PM EDT

The supporter's entrance of the Signal Iduna Park, Germany's biggest stadium of Borussia Dortmund, is closed in Dortmund, Germany, Thursday, May 14, 2020. Bundesliga will now restart on May 16, 2020 when Borussia Dortmund will play the derby against FC Schalke 04 at home without spectators due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Latest: Aussie rules football to kick off on June 11

By The Associated Press May. 14, 2020 01:04 PM EDT

Chicago Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and wide receiver Anthony Miller (17) react following an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Chicago. Chicago won 31-24. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
NFL, NCAA football fuel Fox TV's win of the prime-time week

By Andrew Dalton Dec. 10, 2019 06:34 PM EST

Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon celebrates with the trophy in the locker room after Game 7 of the baseball World Series against the Houston Astros Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, in Houston. The Nationals won 6-2 to win the series. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Strong ending helps World Series avoid record low viewership

By David Bauder Nov. 05, 2019 05:43 PM EST

Houston Astros grounds crew members Jake Cooley, left, and Trey Feltch repaint the World Series logo for the baseball World Series at Minute Maid Park, Monday, Oct. 28, 2019. The Astros will play the Washington Nationals in Game 6 on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Nielsen says World Series is a snooze for most TV viewers

By David Bauder Oct. 29, 2019 04:16 PM EDT

FILE - In this April 3, 2016, file photo, Roman Reigns holds up the championship belt after defeating Triple H during WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. WWE is finally making the move to network television. The long-time cable ratings juggernaut is set to begin a billion-dollar deal with Fox with the premier of “Friday Night Smackdown.” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns are scheduled to appear for the big debut. (Jae S. Lee/The Dallas Morning News via AP, File)/The Dallas Morning News via AP)
Wrestlers, start your smackdowns!: WWE big show goes to Fox

By Dan Gelston Oct. 03, 2019 02:58 PM EDT

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) is stopped for a first down by Atlanta Falcons free safety Isaiah Oliver (26) Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal (22) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Atlanta. The Atlanta Falcons won 24-20. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Football carries television networks until start of season

By David Bauder Sep. 17, 2019 05:17 PM EDT

In this photo provided by Starpix, James Pitaro speaks at the Paley Center for Media in New York, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro expects competition from Silicon Valley when the NFL's television contracts come up for renewal. The cable network's $15.2 billion, eight-year contract with the league for Monday night games runs through 2021. CBS, NBC and Fox and NBC have deals with the NFL that extend to 2022. Amazon, Google and Facebook could be among the bidders. (Patrick Huban/Starpix via AP)
ESPN president expects Silicon Valley to bid for NFL rights

By Ronald Blum Sep. 12, 2019 10:32 AM EDT

FILE - In this February 1966 file photo, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, center, discusses a new television contract for championship games with Bill MacPhail, left, vice president of CBS-TV, and John Reynolds, president of CBS-TV network, in Palm Beach, Fla. Pete Rozelle would not be surprised to see the NFL’s impact of television as it celebrates its 100th season this year. It was Rozelle, the commissioner from 1960 to 1989, who was able to convince owners that it was in their best interest to sign a leaguewide rights deal instead of teams negotiating on their own. (AP Photo/File)
A look at the seminal broadcasting moves that define the NFL

By Joe Reedy Aug. 23, 2019 05:15 PM EDT

FILE - At left, in a May 18, 2012, file photo, Vince McMahon is shown at the Republican state convention in Hartford, Conn. At right, in a Feb. 7, 2019, file photo, XFL Commissioner and CEO Oliver Luck makes comments during a news conference in Arlington, Texas. The XFL has reached multiyear agreements with ESPN and Fox Sports to broadcast its games beginning in 2020. The league also announced Monday, May 6, 2019, that its season will start Feb. 8, the weekend after the NFL season ends with the Super Bowl. This is the second time Vince McMahon has launched a football league. (AP Photo/File)
XFL reaches multiyear agreement with ESPN and Fox

By Joe Reedy May. 06, 2019 09:26 AM EDT

Atlanta Legends coach Kevin Coyle, left, chats with Orlando Apollos coach Steve Spurrier on the field before an AAF football game Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
New league pleased with first-week ratings but cautious

By Joe Reedy Feb. 13, 2019 07:12 PM EST