ESPNU? Probably not until next year
Two separate ESPN-related issues have arisen in connection with Spokane’s Comcast cable service.
First of all, ESPN moved from channel 33 to channel 11 last week, causing consternation amongst those looking for bowl games.
By now, most sports fans are accustomed to the change, but Spotlight wanted to know the reason for the move, especially since all of the other sports-related channels are still clustered in the lower 30s.
The answer: Moving ESPN to channel 11 allows it to be part of the “limited-basic” lineup.
“It gets ESPN into the top 12 channels, which are very desirable,” said Walter Neary of Comcast. “It’s part of our relationship with ESPN.”
The second question is when – if ever – will Comcast Spokane get ESPNU?
That’s the college-sports-oriented channel which aired the Gonzaga basketball game Saturday, and where next Saturday’s game also will be broadcast.
Neary said that Comcast has “definitely noted” that there are two Gonzaga games on that channel. He said they realize that Gonzaga basketball is immensely important to viewers, and that Comcast will be “talking to ESPNU” in the future.
In other words: Maybe next season.
The November numbers
In other TV news, the November Nielsen ratings sweeps numbers are out and we see a familiar pattern in the local news time slots.
Here’s a synopsis:
5 p.m.: KREM-2 still holds a solid lead over second place KHQ-6, with KXLY-4 in third.
6 p.m.: KHQ edges out KREM, with KXLY third.
10 p.m.: KSKN-22 leads KAYU-28.
11 p.m.: KHQ narrowly edges out KREM, with KXLY third.
Mornings: KHQ has a solid lead over KREM, with KXLY third.
Own a piece of the Fox
Here’s how to put a classic touch into your home theater: install your very own Fox Theater seat.
The Fox is selling seats for $25 as part of its restoration project. End standards (those stands at the end of the row) are also available for $25.
Call project director Carol Darby at 326-2136, ext. 15, to make an appointment to purchase.
Hancock in Pasadena
John Hancock, the former executive director of the Spokane Symphony, has landed at the Pasadena (Calif.) Pops Orchestra, where he has been hired as executive director.
Hancock left Spokane in August 2004 to accept a job as chief operating officer of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. That job was eliminated in October in the midst of budget cuts.
First place at First Night
We can now announce the winners of First Night Spokane’s 48 Hour Filmmaking Contest.
The first-place winner of both the Jury Award and the People’s Choice Award was “Just Wonderful,” made by Joe Bereta, Tyler Jacobson, Ben Mellahan and Luke Barats.
This was a clever and funny film about a man who had been traumatized by the word “wonder” at a young age – he misspelled it in a spelling bee. “A World of Wonder” was the theme that every filmmaker had to follow.
This film was more polished than anyone had a right to expect, considering that it was made in under 48 hours, per the rules.
The second place Jury Award went to “Twist of Fate,” an animated film by Jeremy Lokken and Travis Graham.
Taking the second place People’s Choice Award was “Resolutions,” by Kurt Wetherill, Adam Boyd, David McMullen, Cody Wetherill, Jaime Ramirez, Rick Bergh, Jedediah Dima and Steven Wilber.
French film series
Speaking of cinematic art, the Spokane Falls Community College Tournées Film Festival kicks off on Wednesday. This French film series at The Met, 901 W. Sprague, is made possible by a French American Cultural Exchange grant.
The first film: “Mooladé,” by Ousmane Sembene, with a story centered on the issue of female genital mutilation in Africa, Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The series continues every other Wednesday with “Les Choristes” on Jan. 25, “The Closet” on Feb. 8, “Les Brodeuses” on Feb. 22 and “Amen” on March 8.
All films will be moderated by SFCC faculty and staff. Showtimes are 7 p.m., and admission is free for SFCC students, $3 for other students and faculty and $6 general.
Front and CenterStage
Here are a couple of upcoming events at CenterStage, 1017 W. First:
“Dan Cummins, Jan. 14, 8 p.m.: A comic originally from Riggins, Idaho, who has broken out to national success. Steve Carey opens. Tickets are $10, with drinks and limited food service available for purchase.
“”McManus in Love,” Jan. 27-28 and Feb. 2-3: A reprise of the comedy about the foibles of romance, drawn from Patrick F. McManus’ humor stories. It’s a one-man show starring Tim Behrens. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30. Tickets are $39 for dinner and show, $19 show only.
For tickets, call 747-8243.