This would be cool.
Coming to Houston?
The NBC Sports Group is seeking about $2 million in state and local support to bring a major production studio and 135 jobs to downtown Houston.
The operation would be for Comcast SportsNet Houston, a new regional television network that will broadcast Astros and Rockets games beginning in the fall.
The media company has identified 40,000 square feet of space in the Houston Pavilions for the operation, which would include two production studios, two control rooms and other broadcast-related facilities, according to a document obtained by the Chronicle. Some $16 million would be spent on equipment, furniture and other interior improvements.
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If Houston isn’t chosen, a smaller facility with 25 employees will operate the network here.
The smaller studio, however, would limit it to Rockets and Astros games, while the larger alternative would allow the network to cover local college and high school sports, as well as local and state charity events, sports-related fundraisers and originally developed and produced programming and talk shows, according to the application.
The additional 110 technical production and digital media jobs would amount to more than $7 million in annual payroll.
A hundred and ten good paying jobs in downtown Houston? Expanded coverage of local sports? A shot in the arm for the Pavilions? What’s not to like?
Last month, NBCUniversal Media LLC submitted an application to the Texas Enterprise Fund requesting $1.2 million for the operation.
Yeah, the Texas Enterprise Fund. That sound you hear is me grinding my teeth. The Enterprise Fund is a wasteful, crony-tastic slush fund for Governor Perry. And now I get to root for it to succeed in this endeavor. Ain’t karma a bitch? If the stupid thing is going to exist, the city of Houston may as well derive some benefit from it. On the plus side, if it fails at least I can go back to hating on it with a clear conscience. Got to find the bright side where you can.
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