Byline: Judd Zulgad; Staff Writer
Nearly nine months after Fox Sports Net North launched 'FSN Live,' the head of the network is pleased with the program's growth. But Mike Dimond quickly adds there is more work ahead as executives continue to mold the half-hour shows that air five or six nights a week.
'We've made good progress on it,' said Dimond, the general manager of FSN North. 'We continue to work on it to make it better, and we'll continue to do so as we go through.'
A locally based show on the network was long overdue in a market as provincial as this one, and the ratings indicate that Fox Sports Net's decision to mandate more local programming among its affiliates is paying off in the Twin Cities. The late version of 'FSN Live' has averaged more than a 1.0 rating since the beginning of January, placing it second among the 11 FSN regionals with similar shows. Only FSN Detroit has better numbers.
While that network has stuck with the original concept for these shows - which is to focus on the sports news of the day with an emphasis on the local scene - FSN North's programs serve as mostly pre- and postgames for the several teams it carries. 'I don't think there is any question it adds to the overall package for someone sitting down to watch the Twins,' team President Dave St. Peter said. 'Clearly there is a lot of information there.'
On Tuesday, for example, the 6:30 p.m. 'FSN Live' focused almost entirely on that night's upcoming Twins-Cleveland game. However, there was a brief mention of the Timberwolves landing the No. 6 overall pick in the NBA lottery.
'I love the subtle differences between this and what we used to do in pregames,' said Anthony LaPanta, who serves as both an anchor and a reporter. 'It takes what we used to do and accelerates it; we have so many more pieces in place. With the postgame show it's the same thing. We have everything people at home typically don't have access to.'
Tuesday's postgame featured plenty of interaction between broadcasters Dick Bremer and Roy Smalley (filling in for Bert Blyleven) and LaPanta, who was hosting from FSN's Minneapolis-based studio in Riverplace. Part of Twins manager Ron Gardenhire's postgame news conference also was featured. An on-site reporter, often LaPanta, Marney Gellner or Ron Johnson, also conducts interviews.
With this single focus, it's expected that eventually FSN North will change the name of 'FSN Live' to reflect the team it is about to cover, meaning it could be 'Twins Live' one night and 'Wild Live' the next.
Dimond said he is under no pressure from national Fox Sports Net execs to go in the direction of pre- and postgame shows but said he thinks it works better in this market. It doesn't hurt advertising sales, either, to be able to offer more programming with the Twins brand on it.
One of the biggest changes in 'FSN Live' has been its move from being a road show early on to being based almost primarily in the studio since the Twins season began. The completion of that studio, which is adjacent to FSN's offices and features a closet-like space where the host works, enables the crew more freedom to access highlights and other archive materials quickly. But Dimond likes doing remotes, and a production truck FSN North is having built should be ready in July. That will mean 'FSN Live' will be on the road again, especially when the network begins airing high school sports this fall.
'When we launched, not all the pieces were in place with regard to the studio, and we were fighting a little bit of an uphill battle,' Dimond said. 'We didn't have all the staff in place. It was a big undertaking hiring 20 people and getting them all in on board and ready to go by Sept. 6. But we are fully staffed now and really beginning to concentrate on content and really honing our skills there and getting that perfected.'
Fine-tuning
- With the Twins gaining approval for a new stadium last weekend, it's looking more and more like the team will take its radio rights in-house next season. 'That's a distinct possibility,' St. Peter said. 'The events over the weekend helped push us in that direction.' The Twins continue to talk to CBS-owned WCCO (830 AM), Clear Channel-owned KTLK (100.3 FM) and Hubbard-owned KSTP (1500 AM) about carrying their games.
- Manny Lagos has been hired by Futbol de Primera to serve as an analyst for World Cup broadcasts on XM Satellite Radio. Lagos, who turns 35 in June, retired from Major League Soccer after last season and is now director of soccer operations for the local Thunder. He will leave June 3 for Germany and is scheduled to work 19 first-round games.
- 'Bonds on Bonds' is going bye-bye for now. The ESPN reality show, which followed the exploits of Giants slugger Barry Bonds as he pursued the home run record, will go on hiatus after a one-hour wrap-up program at 6 p.m. Monday. The big problem is Bonds has only six home runs this season. It probably doesn't help that there has been plenty of apathy toward his pursuit of the mark. According to the Los Angeles Times, the independent production company of Tollin-Robbins planned to provide 10 hours of programming, but the show is going on hiatus after only 5 1/2 hours.
