Time to open the notebook once again. Quite a few stories out there for your consumption.
Interesting note from The Big Lead's Jason McIntyre as he breaks news that the popular Charissa Thompson of SportsNation could be leaving ESPN to go back to Fox Sports. You may remember she got her first big break through Fox Sports working on The Best Damn Sports Show Period and on Big Ten Network. A second part to that link is that ESPN is putting the kybosh on a new debate show which would have featured various ex and current athletes.
In a related note, I've heard that former ESPN sideline reporter Jenn Brown was seen auditioning for Fox Sports 1. Brown already landed a role at the new Esquire Channel (formerly G4) and hosting American Ninja Warrior. Those jobs shouldn't affect her potential status with FS1. Not sure of what role she would take, but if she and Thompson are hired, they would join Erin Andrews and Fox would suddenly be filled with a multitude of former ESPNers.
Something left over from the weekend – Tim Carmody of The Verge reports that HBO Sports may stream live events on the HBO Go mobile and tablet app later this year. However, an HBO spokesman later shot down the report. It would be nice to see live boxing on the app and perhaps a way to get some of their pay per view bouts as well.
If you saw the premiere of MLB Now, then you may have noticed Kristina Akra as a host of the program that features Brian Kenny and Harold Reynolds. Washington Nationals fans are quite familiar with her as last season, she was the target of various Gatorade drenchings. Akra talks with the Washington Post's Dan Steinberg in the DC Sports Bog about leaving MASN and the Nationals.
Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report notes that one of the best sportscasters-in-exile, Bonnie Bernstein, now has a new gig as the face of Campus Insiders and will be based out of Chicago.
One more from Ed. He says the CBS/Turner NCAA Tournament partnership is working.
Mlke Reynolds from the Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News combo says Turner Sports' NCAA March Madness Live app generated a record 45 million live streams through March 31, up 158% from last year when you had to pay to see the online streams.
Mike McCarthy of Advertising Age looks at Major League Baseball's best Opening Day marketing stunt.
Here's Richard Deitsch's weekly sports media column at SI.com.
Michael Hiestand of USA Today talks with Dick Vitale as he prepares to call one NCAA Final Four game and the National Championship for ESPN International. Vitale's call won't be seen in the United States, but will be fed to our neighbors in Canada and Mexico. Cue up the international incident jokes.
Newsday's Neil Best looks at the trainwreck that is First Take.
The Houston Chronicle's David Barron says while Astros fans can watch the team's series against the Texas Rangers through Fox Sports Southwest, Friday's series against Oakland will be another matter.
Bob Wolfley in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel notes that the Brewers' rights fees from Fox Sports is near the bottom of all Major League Baseball teams.
Paulsen at Sports Media Watch says several local markets did well with their Opening Day games.
That will close the notebook for now. Another edition will come later this week.
