What exactly do sports marketers do?

What types of programming should the new NBC Sports Network (formerly Versus) broadcast?

• On January 2, 2012, Versus will be relaunched as The NBC Sports Network: The NBC Sports Network will serve as the NBC Sports Group’s 24/7 cable platform. Many NBC Sports production and programming elements have already been introduced on VERSUS since the merger – such as adopting the “Inside the Glass” production philosophy for all its NHL games, and adding horse racing and Notre Dame Football-related programming. “This effort is a major step towards a complete strategic alignment of all our platforms and businesses,” NBC Sports Group Chairman Mark Lazarus said. “This is more than just a name change for VERSUS. It’s a complete repositioning of the brand to provide value for marketers, consumers as well as all our affiliates and distributors. We want anyone who comes into contact with any of our assets to immediately connect with the NBC Sports brand promise.” http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/43966021/ns/sports/

• Answer:

  NBCSN has a huge opportunity to launch the first nightly sports highlights program to be a legitimate competitor to Sportscenter in over a decade.  Not since FSN's National Sports Report and the CNN/SI network went off the air has there been real competition to Sportscenter.  NBC Sports Group, specifically with their Comcast Sports Net affiliates already has a wealth of sports reporters stationed across the country, combined with NBC Network sports personalities like Bob Costas and Al Michaels.  While NBC itself does not have any NBA or MLB rights, some of its CSN affiliates do. Even if it is nowhere near Sportscenter in the ratings, another national sports show would provide competition, leading to innovation not only at NBCSN but also to ESPN and any other sports media competitors.