Gary Thorne, Jim Hunter among those let go from MASN due to major programming and personnel cuts

soxhop411

news aggravator
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2009
46,278
So um. MASN seems to be literally blowing up the network
Major cuts are coming to the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), the shared television station of the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals, multiple sources told The Athletic on Friday.

Most notably, MASN is getting rid of its pregame and postgame coverage of both teams, sending a legal document this month to both clubs stipulating that they will have to pay out of pocket if they wanted to continue programming. It’s unknown when the Orioles received their notice, but the Nationals were informed on Jan. 20, sources say, with just weeks until spring training is tentatively slated to start. The document informed both teams that they would have to individually fund their own pregame and postgame programming, which means talent salaries, truck rentals, rights fees and employing contractors for production, an amount that easily totals in the millions of dollars.
On Friday, longtime broadcaster Jim Hunter tweeted news of his departure, which he said “was not his choice.” Others who were let go from the Orioles include Mike Bordick, Dave Johnson, Tom Davis, Rick Dempsey and Gary Thorne. However, the Orioles will employ sideline reporters for at least some games next season. It is not yet known how the Nationals will handle the contractual status of current studio host Dan Kolko or that of analyst Bo Porter, or whether their sideline reporter will be impacted.
Sources say the new proposed pregame and postgame shows will be 15-minute lead-ins, using in-game talent rather than the normal half-hour pregame show and extended postgame program.
Sources: MASN planning major programming and personnel cuts for 2021 season
https://theathletic.com/2340440/2021/01/22/sources-masn-planning-major-programming-and-personnel-cuts-for-2021-season/?source=user_shared_article
So um. Will Gary Thorne go back to calling hockey? Dude will be picked up by some network in a nanosecond.
 

Mugsy's Jock

Eli apologist
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 28, 2000
15,069
UWS, NYC
This is really interesting, especially in light of the NBCSN a news yesterday.

As a fan, I don’t get a lot out of those pre- and postgame shows. Maybe manager interviews after an interesting game, but other than that it’s really just filling time. But there’s still a good reason for them... baseball telecasts are premium content for advertisers, and the ballgame presentations give the networks leverage to jam spot in the pre- and post-game shows down advertisers’ throats regardless of how many people watch them.

Killing those shows suggests the leverage ain’t what it used to be. And is not a great sign for local sports TV.
 

ColdSoxPack

Well-Known Member
Silver Supporter
Jul 14, 2005
2,357
Simi Valley, CA
Wasn't there a story around a year or so ago that NESN could be sold so that the Red Sox could sell the TV rights to the highest bidder?