Neal Pilson has been hired by the Arena Football League to
oversee its national TV matters and to assist in the negotiation
of future contracts. Pilson said he saw "a good chance to
improve its [AFL's] exposure on television" (AFL). ....Intersport
in Chicago will produce and market a 90- minute Rose Bowl Special
for China Central TV. The edited version will contain highlights
of the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game. The
special will be distributed to China Central Television by T.L.I
International, a Chicago-based communications firm, and will be
aired in prime time during the Chinese New Year in early February
(Intersport).....Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf, and Frank Gifford
appear on ABC's "Coach" tonight. Michaels, last night: "We're
expecting at least a 52 share" ("MNF," ABC, 12/18)....Ratings:
NBA on TBS has averaged a 2.3, and TNT is averaging 1.8. ESPN's
NHL telecasts have averaged a 0.6. This weekend saw NBC's
Saturday Patriots-Steelers with an 11.0, while Fox got a 9.9 for
Packers-Saints. On Sunday, Fox drew 14.0, with a 13.3 for NBC
(USA TODAY, 12/19).... Featured on AT&T's Interchange online
service is a chat opportunity with T-Wolves President Rob Moor
at the Minneapolis Star Tribune site (Interchange)....The '96
Breeders Cup in Toronto has been moved up a week to October 26.
The change will give the event an extra 30 minutes of national
coverage by NBC (USA TODAY, 12/19)....Sports Media Inc. announced
a profit in their fiscal first quarter due to increased ad
revenue. The New York-based publisher and marketer reported net
income of $292,640 (or $.05 per share) for the quarter ended
October 31 against a loss of $636,386 (or $.14 per share) a year
earlier. Total revenue increased 54.% to $1,157,704 (Sports
Media)....In Orlando Sunday, the local NBC affiliate showed the
Jags-Lions game instead of the Bills-Dolphins matchup. One
Dolphin fan on the NFL's decision to make Orlando a Jaguar
market: "This country is a democracy and the NFL ought to let us
vote on it" (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/18)....NBC's "Today," "Tonight
Show," "Nightly News," and "Meet the Press" will all air live
from Phoenix during Super Bowl week (N.Y. POST, 12/19).
