NEW YORK – Some fans will no longer be able to watch every NCAA men’s basketball tournament game online for free.
The model for streaming March Madness will change this year, Turner, CBS and the NCAA announced Thursday. Games aired on CBS will still be free through the network’s website. Most, but not all, viewers who get TBS, TNT and truTV on their cable or satellite systems will be able to watch games aired on those channels online at no cost.
About 77 million households will be able to watch the Turner channels for free online through a process called authentication. That’s out of the 100 million that get TBS and TNT, which are available in around 87 percent of American homes with televisions.
The way fans watch March Madness on TV changed drastically last season with the start of CBS and Turner’s 14-year, $10.8 billion deal with the NCAA. Instead of CBS showing regional coverage and switching among games, each contest aired nationally in its entirety on one of the four networks. The shift was a hit: Viewership was up 14 percent for the tournament’s opening weekend.
BASKETBALL
NBA stuffs format of dunk contest
The NBA is leaving it up to the fans to determine the winner of the All-Star slam dunk contest. The league announced that there no longer will be judges in the event, which also will be reduced to one round. Each contestant will execute three dunks. Fans will determine the champion by voting on NBA.com, Twitter or through text messaging.
Weber sorry for criticizing Illini
Illinois coach Bruce Weber issued a statement apologizing and saying he spoke in frustration after Wednesday night’s home loss to Purdue. Weber said he is disappointed in himself for criticizing both himself for not building a culture of toughness at Illinois and his players after the 67-62 loss to the Boilermakers. The Illini (16-10, 5-7 Big Ten) have lost seven of their last eight games and are in danger of missing the NCAA tournament.
BOXING
Ali using gala to raise money
Dozens of celebrities from the sports, film and TV realms plan to fete boxing icon Muhammad Ali and raise money for brain research during a tribute in Las Vegas to be aired later on ABC. The Saturday gala to celebrate Ali’s 70th birthday at the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip will double as a fundraiser. The money will go to the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and the Muhammad Ali Center in Lexington, Ky.
FOOTBALL
USA Football to monitor injuries
USA Football has commissioned a full-season research study this year to examine player health and safety in organized youth tackle football. The research will look at any injuries suffered during the 2012 season in 10 youth football leagues across the nation. Athletic trainers will attend the leagues’ practices and games to manage and document player health.
HOCKEY
Wings’ Zetterberg day to day
Detroit forward Henrik Zetterberg will miss at least one game and is day to day with a lower-body injury. Zetterberg won’t be in the lineup tonight at home against Nashville. The Red Wings have won an NHL single-season record 21 straight games at home. Goaltender Jimmy Howard (broken finger) is expected to return for Sunday’s home game against San Jose after missing six games.
