Cox Communications and Time Mirror officially announced they
will introduce two new cable TV channels "geared toward
recreation and the outdoors." Outdoor Life will premiere in
July, while Speedvision, featuring cars, boats and airplanes,
will debut in January '96. Roger Werner, Jr., former CEO of
ESPN, will run the new channels and head "another new venture
that will consolidate the sales, advertising and administrative
functions of the channels." With the channels offered on the Cox
cable systems -- and their 3.2 million subscribers -- the "new
channels begin life with a big advantage over competitors," as
cable operators "have been reluctant" to add new channels because
of "scarce dial space and tough new government pricing
regulations" (Charles Haddad, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 4/26). Cox
and Times Mirror also amended the terms of their merger, with
both now agreeing to invest $100M on new cable services. Werner
said the two "planned to spend about" $160M to start the two
services (NEW YORK TIMES, 4/26). Both Cox and Times Mirror said
they have talked with other potential partners about investing in
these channels (Cox).
MORE RACING ON TV: Raycom Inc. announced yesterday that
they will produce and distribute a 26-week series titled "Racing
Home" that will focus on the personalities of the NASCAR racing
scene. Hosted by Barbara McKay, the half-hour Raycom production
will be distributed over-the-air in the Southern portion of the
country with additional coverage through regional sports cable
networks. The series will begin on July 1 and run for 26
consecutive weeks (Raycom).
