 |
 |
ESPN reality show to follow Barry Bonds
Thu, 19 Jan 2006 10:37:07 -0500 rec.arts.tv
previous
David...
|
from mediaweek
ESPN Near Deal For All-Access Barry Bonds Docu Series John Consoli ESPN is working out a deal with Tollin/Robbins Productions for an exclusive, weekly, documentary-style, all-access series that will follow San Francisco Giant slugger Barry Bonds beginning in spring training in March and into the Major League Baseball season as he pursues the career home run records of Babe Ruth and Hank Aaron. Under the deal, Bonds will allow cameras to follow him throughout his day, both on and off the field. The show will offer a behind-the-scenes look at Bonds' during his chasing of the records. Obveeus...
David B...
Sources familiar with the discussions, say the show could air in first-run each Tuesday night at 7 p.m., East Coast time, with several re-airings throughout the week. Tollin/Robbins, which has a relationship with Bonds, reportedly approached ESPN about doing the series. Discussions have reportedly been taking place since mid-December. The series will be produced in cooperation with ESPN Original Entertainment, headed by Ron Semiao, and, thus, be considered entertainment programming, as opposed to ESPN's regular sports coverage, and shows like Sports Center. An ESPN coordinating producer reportedly will work with Tollin/Robbins in the production of the show. Bonds has 708 career home runs, trailing Ruth by 6 and Aaron by 47. The show will run as long as it takes Bonds to pass Aaron. While details are still being worked out, if Bonds were to get hurt and miss a significant portion of time the show would go on hiatus. And if he does not break the record this season, talks are being held to assure that the show comes back next year. ESPN has rights under its deal with Major League Baseball to use game highlights, but it is unclear whether those rights would extend to Tollin/Robbins, so Major League Baseball may have to grant its approval to use game footage in the series. Obveeus...
|