The Golf Channel has signed distribution agreements with
five new MSOs covering more than three million subscribers
nationwide. The new Golf Channel carriers are Adelphia
Communications, Marcus Cable, TCA Group, Post-Newsweek Cable,
Cable America Inc. (The Golf Channel)....The SAN FRANCISCO
CHRONICLE reports that the ratings for the first three Giants
games on KTVU "were excellent." Sunday's 6.3 rating topped the
5.4 average for all weekend day games from last year (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 5/11)....Bob Sales was replaced as Sports Editor at
the BOSTON HERALD yesterday. His interim successor is Mark
Torpey, the assistant sports editor (Jack Craig, BOSTON GLOBE,
5/11)...Microsoft has announced the more than 40 different
offerings to be available on Microsoft Network (MSN), the
company's online service that will be available on the new
version of Windows software debuting in August, Windows 95. In
addition to QVC and Home Shopping Network, MSN's partners include
New York Times Co.'s sports publications and Starwave, home of
ESPNET SportZone (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/11)....This weekend's
SITV examines the dilemma facing Cuban baseball players. Cuban
3B Omar Linares tells of being offered $1.5M by the Yankees, but
choosing instead to stay with his family (SITV).