New Producer Plans To Steer Cbs To The Top
The good news for auto-racing fans is that Terry Ewert, the new executive producer for CBS Sports, knows cars.
Ewert grew up in San Antonio, where his father built midget race cars. After Ewert joined NBC Sports in 1978, he worked on the production end of races for years with Don Ohlmeyer.
Ewert, 45, is part of the new wave that CBS Sports president Sean McManus is bringing on board as the network attempts to climb back to the prominence it held when NFL games were its brightest beam.
Seated at a desk in a production trailer at Texas Motor Speedway last weekend, Ewert said the major change under his guidance will be “more storytelling, more human stories.”
Ewert believes devoted NASCAR fans will stay with telecasts through caution periods and even rain delays. With more features, Ewert thinks CBS will catch the attention of channel surfers.
Ewert moves to CBS from the Atlanta Olympics, where he was head of production and deputy managing director. He is confident McManus is the leader CBS needs.
“Sean has brought a new energy and a new excitement (to the network),” Ewert said. “The concentration now is to get properties.”
Although it will be a difficult maneuver, CBS has its eye on regaining some NFL telecasts.
Mastering Tigermania
Ewert is in Augusta, Ga., observing how his crews handle the Masters telecasts. This may surprise those who have been swept up in Tigermania, but Tiger Woods isn’t the only golfer competing in the Masters.
While Woods has generated tremendous interest, a questioner on the CBS Masters conference call wondered if the other top pros resent all the attention Woods is receiving.
The answer: There’s a mixed reaction.
David Feherty, who brings a pleasant Irish accent to the telecast from his 15th hole post, said: “A couple of the major egos might be miffed to start with, but the game is a great leveler. The older, wiser (golfers) are going to be content to sit back and see how he does in the long run.”
Said Peter Kostis (10th hole): “Some of the top players are happy he’s here and deflecting some of the press attention away from them. They’re happy to just practice and play. Secondly, I sense his presence has sparked these guys to work harder.”