Jon Lewis

Sports Media Watch Podcast

Sports EN ↓ 171 episodes

Sports Media Watch founder Jon Lewis is joined each week by Armand Broady for a weekly discussion of the latest developments in the sports media industry, from ratings to rights deals to personnel moves. Go beyond the headlines with the in-depth analyses and historical context that are a hallmark of Sports Media Watch.

Author

Jon Lewis

Category

Sports

Podcast website

redcircle.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

Future of streaming sports, NFL playoff ratings, TGL and more 16.01.2025

On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Armand Broady discuss the future of sports on streaming in the wake of Venu's collapse; NFL playoff ratings and what the best matchups will be going forward; and whether the TGL golf venture can achieve long-term success. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

NFL ratings recap, Tom Brady's performance, Disney-Fubo deal and more 09.01.2025

The Sports Media Watch podcast returns from hiatus as Jon Lewis and new co-host Armand Broady discuss the NFL's regular season ratings performance, how Tom Brady looks heading into the playoffs, Disney's Fubo deal and more. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Special guest Bob Wischusen talks NHL and more, plus MLB-Diamond Sports, Mets ratings and more 10.10.2024

On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis is joined by ESPN play-by-play voice Bob Wischusen, who discusses his role as an NHL broadcaster, his career and more. But first, Jon discusses the future of MLB on RSNs and the Mets' drawing power this postseason. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Special guests Randy Scott and Gary Striewski, plus WNBA vs. Christine Brennan and MLB Postseason 03.10.2024

On the new edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis is joined by special guests Randy Scott and Gary Striewski of SportsCenter (11:35), who discuss their popular partnership, how their SportsCenter differs from the 1990s heyday and much more. But first, Jon dives into the Christine Brennan-WNBA controversy and the broader culture war over Caitlin Clark, and explains why everything is l...

Caitlin Clark playoff ratings, NFL, college football and more 25.09.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner talk more Caitlin Clark, and how her presence lifted the WNBA to big playoff viewership directly against the NFL. Then, the crew takes a look at football viewership from the weekend, including whether the Kansas City Chiefs have a legitimate claim to the title of "America's Team," and how Fox's Friday night college football game cou...

Talking WNBA/Caitlin Clark with Fever analyst Debbie Antonelli and ION exec Brian Lawlor, plus NFL ratings 19.09.2024

On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner examine the WNBA season and the Caitlin Clark effect with Fever analyst and Basketball Hall of Famer Debbie Antonelli and Scripps Sports (ION) president Brian Lawlor. Plus, some discussion about NFL ratings, Tom Brady and more. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle....

Brady's debut, NFL ratings, Disney v. DIRECTV, Caitlin Clark and more 12.09.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner review Tom Brady's broadcasting debut, what went right, what went wrong, and where he goes from here. Then the crew reviews the opening week in NFL ratings including strong numbers for the NFL Kickoff Game and the Friday night Peacock exclusive from Brazil. Jon and Drew close the show with a discussion on the ongoing dispute between DirecTV and...

Disney vs. DIRECTV, Pat McAfee, Tom Brady's debut, Sheryl Swoopes 05.09.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start the podcast discussing the carriage dispute between Disney and DirecTV, how it differs from the Charter dispute last year, and whether it will be solved in time for Monday Night Football. Then, the crew takes a look at the first full weekend of college football, including a discussion about Nick Saban's debut on College GameDay, and wheth...

ESPN restructuring and the future of its NBA coverage; Paramount, Diamond RSNs, NBA vs. WBD 28.08.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss ESPN's executive restructuring and what it could mean for its live sports coverage, in particular the NBA. Then the crew does a legal roundup covering the Paramount deal, Venu's appeal, Amazon pulling its funding from Diamond Sports, the NFL Sunday Ticket case, and the NBA filing a motion to dismiss WBD's matching rights. Advert...

Venu loses in court, Greenberg replaces Ponder, RGIII fired and more 21.08.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner talk about the preliminary injunction levied against Venu in federal court last week, whether the ruling should have been made, and what it means for the future of "bundling" sports properties. Then the crew discusses ESPN's decision to fire Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III, and why Laura Rutledge should get the "Sunday NFL Countdo...

Charles Barkley's TNT future, Leigh Diffey's flub, Olympics ratings, Sunday Ticket and more 07.08.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start off by discussing Leigh Diffey's call of the Men's 100m Final and look back at some other notable announcer blunders. Then, the crew continues their discussion about NBC's Olympic viewership, and how Paris compares to past Olympics. Jon and Drew close the show with the NFL "Sunday Ticket" verdict getting overturned, and ML...

Olympics ratings, WBD sues the NBA, Roundball Rock's return 01.08.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner wade through the somewhat confusing methodology that NBC is using for measuring its Olympics viewership, and how much of this year's success is real versus manufactured. Then, the crew discusses their opinions on Gold Zone and the whip-around format more broadly, asking whether it is the future of live sports consumption. Jon and Drew close out...

NBA media rights official; what's next for WBD; how WNBA fared; Olympics preview 25.07.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into the NBA and its respective broadcast partners formally announcing their upcoming media rights agreements. The crew discusses what this means for WBD who had their "match" denied by the league, and what stood out in the announcements that we didn't already know. Then, Jon and Drew discuss the WNBA portion of the rights agreemen...

NBA media rights crunch time; WNBA rights fee; big soccer viewership and more 18.07.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the NBA finalizing its media rights deals, and what to expect from WBD's efforts to match Amazon's package of games. Then, the crew highlights the WNBA portion of the deal and whether that rights fee will look like a bargain down the line. Jon and Drew close out the show talking Copa America and Euros viewership on Fox, and Skip Bay...

NASCAR Chicago, Fox soccer, Caitlin Clark and more 10.07.2024

On the latest edition of the Sports Media Watch podcast, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the NASCAR Chicago Street Race, Fox soccer coverage, the latest Caitlin Clark numbers and more. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Why NBA rights are so expensive despite lower Finals ratings (plus: WNBA ratings, Stanley Cup coverage) 27.06.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start the show discussing more viewership records for the Clark-sparked WNBA, including the Fever-Sky game that beat its own one week old record and a Fever game that set another record for ION. Then, Jon dives into his new piece on why the NBA has been able to land such lucrative media rights deals despite so-so NBA Finals viewership. The crew clo...

NBA Finals ratings dud and should we believe Charles Barkley's retirement announcement? 19.06.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner start the show discussing the lackluster NBA Finals viewership before shifting over to a conversation about Charles Barkley's latest retirement saga, and whether his announcement this time around is different than the past. Then, the crew wraps up with U.S. Open viewership and the Stanley Cup Finals. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com...

NBA and Stanley Cup Final ratings and Warner Bros. Discovery's sports strategy 12.06.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at how the NBA and Stanley Cup Finals are faring from a ratings perspective through two games. Then, the crew closes out the show with a discussion on TNT's recent media rights acquisitions, whether the network is doing enough to maintain its rates with distributors, and if they'll secure a fourth package of NBA games. Advertisi...

Caitlin Clark media meltdown, plus NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Final ratings previews 06.06.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner unpack the media discourse surrounding the WNBA, including recent incidents with Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee. The crew then discusses the NBA Finals before having an impromptu conversation about the league's media rights deal and what it signals for the cable industry writ large. Jon and Drew wrap up with a discussion on the Stanley Cup Fin...

Remembering Bill Walton, plus holiday weekend ratings 30.05.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the legacy of Bill Walton and his prolific broadcasting career. Afterwards, the crew closes out the show with a ratings roundup of the Indy 500, Stanley Cup Playoffs, and NBA Conference Finals. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The problem with ESPN's NBA coverage; plus, weekend ratings and Golf Channel skips Scheffler 22.05.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner quickly go over weekend ratings for the NBA, PGA Championship, and Preakness before diving into our main topic: ESPN's game 7 broadcast of Knicks-Pacers. Jon details how ESPN's failures have resulted in a product that has become a disservice to NBA viewers, why the problem is systemic, and whether the network can reverse course over its nex...

NFL takes on CFP, Tom Brady and Greg Olsen, NBA playoff ratings, Caitlin Clark expectations and more 16.05.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner run through the many announcements surrounding the NFL's schedule release, starting with the league's decision to give NBC and FOX extra Week 16 games that will directly compete with the College Football Playoff. Then, Jon and Drew discuss what we know about the first couple weeks of the NFL schedule, how Tom Brady will fare at FOX, and NBC...

NBA media rights: should NBA want WBD or Comcast? Plus: weekend ratings and hot topics 08.05.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner discuss the latest reporting surrounding the NBA media rights negotiations and whether NBC or TNT would be a better partner for the league. Then, the crew jumps into a ratings roundup and takes a look at weekend ratings from the NBA, Kentucky Derby, and NHL. Jon and Drew close out the show with some quick hitters including NBC's U.S. Open cover...

Comcast's huge NBA offer, can TNT match, and what it means for the marketplace 01.05.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner dive into all the reporting surrounding NBA rights negotiations. To start, the crew discusses whether NBC's huge bid could mean the end times for the NBA on TNT or if WBD will find a way to match NBC's deal, or split the package between them. They also discuss possible landing spots for the Inside the NBA crew should TNT miss out on NBA rig...

NBA media rights and ratings, hot start for Stanley Cup, Howie Schawb and the WNBA 24.04.2024

On today's episode, Jon Lewis and Drew Lerner take a look at recent reporting surrounding the NBA's media rights negotiations and discuss expectations around the dollar figure the league will ultimately receive, and what the inventory breakdown looks like for the league's media partners. Then, Jon and Drew go over viewership for the opening weekend of NBA playoffs, and how the postseas...

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