WILL THE NHL BEAT THE BUZZER TO GET PROMOS ON FOX?

     If the NHL work stoppage ends today, ESPN is "ready to roll"
on its hockey programming schedule.  Even though it there will be
"smaller overall volume," there would still be one or two weekly
games on ESPN and three each week on ESPN2.  A settlement today
could also allow for Fox to promote its NHL package during the
Cowboys-49ers game on Sunday.  Fox marketers "supposedly have
prepared some dazzling promos which would be seen in about 25% of
American homes on Sunday.  For years, the NHL only dreamed of
that kind of exposure" (Jack Craig, BOSTON GLOBE, 1/10).
     MORE FOX TALES:  Fox's ad sales for the '94-95 NFL package
totaled $280-300M (COWLES BUSINESS MEDIA)....This morning's
VARIETY reports that Fox is looking to "resurrect its long
dormant Fox News Service, with a $20M cash infusion, new
facilities and an increase in daily news feeds to affiliates.
Fox ended its Washington-based news service in '93 (DAILY
VARIETY, 1/10).