This is the first Sports Media Notebook that I'm writing for Awful Announcing. If you're not familiar with my work at Fang's Bites, the notebook is an opportunity to provide a mix of stories, links and analysis all into one post. I hope you like it. Any comments, write 'em below.

The notebook comes to you in bullet form.

* We know of one show that will air on Fox Sports 1 when the new network launches sometime in August. Regis Philbin, yes, Reege, for all intents and purposes confirmed to CNBC on Wednesday that he will host a program that will be officially unveiled next week at an advertiser upfront presentation in New York. John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reported earlier this month that Regis was in talks with Fox to host a sports version of "The View." It now appears that the talks have led to a contract. Ourand also reported in his story that Jay Mohr who hosts a show for Fox Sports Radio in the old Jim Rome timeslot was also in discussions for a series on FS1. We'll find out next week if that comes into fruition as well.

We've learned that MLB, NASCAR along with some college programming will be aired on FS1. Now we learn that the new network will also have some talk programming. One has to think that Regis and Mohr would be part of a daily talk block on FS1.

* Also regarding Fox Sports 1, veteran college sports beat reporter Mark Blaudshun in A Jersey Guy reports that the "Catholic 7," the basketball-only school of the Big East that plans to break away in 2014 and form their own conference, could be leaving the league early and Fox Sports is the ringleader behind the move. With FS1 needing college basketball programming come November, what better to have the "Catholic 7" in the fold ready to play rather than having to wait for a year?

Blaudshun says the "Catholic 7" is negotiating an early exit and talking about taking The Big East name with it. If that happens, a well-known brand name will move to Fox Sports 1 leaving the old Big East having to rebrand for its new contracts with ESPN and CBS. Got it?

If Fox is able to get the "Catholic 7" with the Big East name, it's a big move for the new network and will provide some instant credibilty. And NBC Sports Network continues to paddle without a canoe without any major college sports. By the way, Ben Koo of this site has a very good analysis of NBC Sports Network's difficulties. A very good read and well worth your time.

* Keith Olbermann back at ESPN? Not quite. Keithy is featured prominently in an ESPN 30 for 30 short film at Grantland on the Honus Wagner baseball card which is the most sought-after collectible. And if you talk to Olbermann, he'll tell you that he once worked for Topps, the baseball card company. The film is done quite well.

* The World Baseball Classic is set to begin this Friday. MLB Network will carry all of the games and Joe Lucia of AA looks at the roster of announcers who will call the games from all over the globe. One thing you may not know is that ESPN Deportes has the Spanish language rights. Hired as an analyst for select games in the second round of the WBC is former Chicago White Sox and Miami Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen. Ozzie has done TV work as a guest studio analyst for Fox at the World Series. Now he'll get to speak in his native language of Spanish for ESPN Deportes.

After his disastrous tenure with the Marlins that got off on the wrong foot with the Cuban community, Ozzie has been laying low, but with this gig with ESPN Deportes, one has to think that this is part of the reputation rehab that many sports figures undergo after losing credibility. When he was manager with the White Sox, Ozzie was known for flying off the handle, but that never really translated to TV with Fox. Perhaps on ESPN Deportes and with his managerial career behind him once again, Ozzie will open up some more.

I wish I had access to Deportes for the WBC so I could practice my rusty Spanish and listen for some interesting comments.

That's going to close the notebook for now.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

Comments are closed.