ESPN, FSN have some (old) ideas for the Big Wheel

Reports in the current issues of MediaWeek and Broadcasting & Cable magazines indicate changes coming at ESPN and Fox Sports Net as far as how they'll be programmed down the road.

It's not so much reinventing the news wheel. It's just that maybe it needs to refocus on what's most important to its audiences.

ESPN, for example, wants more live events and fewer studio filler, says executive VP of content John Skipper . "We have found that what sports fans really care about, and why they come to ESPN properties is to watch live games," he said, adding that the network will "continue to pursue deals for more major college games, and will look to get additional rights to major professional tennis and golf events when they become available." That could mean trying to get the NHL back, as well as align themselves for some kind of future Olympics coverage. (MediaWeek story linked here).

Meanwhile, FSN could be scaling back on national programming and focus more on local coverage. The national shows, such as "Sport Science," "Amazing Sports Stories," "Baseball's Golden Age" and ... oh, right, "Best Damn Sports Show Period," could be the first to go. Former coordinating producer John Entz just left to join the MLB Network. (B&C story linked here).