Posted by chicagomedia.org on December 17, 2008 at 10:38:56:
Q&A with Comcast Sports Net President Jim Corno
Posted by Ed Sherman
at 12/17/2008 8:02 AM CST on Chicago Business
These are challenging times for Comcast Sports Net President Jim Corno. However, CSN and Corno have one thing going for them: all four of its pro teams are highly competitive.
I recently sat down with Corno for a Q/A.
Q. The Cubs and White Sox made the playoffs; the Hawks are on a major upswing and the Bulls have a new exciting star in Derrick Rose. What does this mean for CSN?
Corno: Since we've had all four teams, we've had nothing close to this. The Hawks are way up. When the teams are hot, not only are ratings up, but there's an interest in advertisers. They want to be a part of it. It helps us deal with a challenging economic time. Ratings are up. Revenues are up. It's not where it should be, but when you consider the economy, we're doing OK. It's a good time for the teams to be doing well.
Q. CSN depends on the car companies for a healthy amount of advertising? What have you seen on that front?
Corno: The industry is struggling and it is affecting us. Our challenge is to find new categories to replace them, and that's what we're working hard to do. Right now, we're holding our own.
Q. You mentioned the Blackhawks. What has been the impact of televising all the home games?
Corno: Being able to air the home games is great. There's something different about being able to see a game at the United Center as opposed to on the road. The crowd is pulling for the Hawks. Also, this team is fun to watch. They're exciting.
Q. The Cubs own a portion of the station. How has their ownership situation affected CSN?
Corno: The only effect is that the ownership will transfer to somebody new. There might be a new board member. It should be business as usual. It should not have a major impact.
Q. CSN is launching a new show, "The Monsters in the Morning" featuring Mike North and Dan Jiggetts in January. The show will air from 6-9 a.m. Monday through Friday. What do you envision for the show?
Corno: This an opportunity to redefine what a local regional sports network is going to be in the morning. Now it's pretty much a simulcast with the radio show, or the replay of a game the night before. To my knowledge, nobody is doing a local sports show live every morning. The upside is considerable. Mike and Dan being together again is going to be a big positive. I'm optimistic. I think it could be a major homerun.
Q. What is going to be the timetable to determine if it is successful?
Corno: We're not looking for it to be an overnight success. I'd be disappointed if we didn't see good results within a year, where we see that there's strong viewership interest. That's not written down anywhere. In my own mind, I'd like to see that.
Q. A new sports quiz show called "Beer Money" is emerging as a surprise hit. Are you surprised?
Corno: It was done in New York, and they wanted to do it in Chicago. I can't tell you how many people have told me they enjoy that show. John McDonough called me and said, "I sit there and follow along." It's an entertaining little show that's starting to catch on. It's fun to see.
(Crain)