In a "stunning move," Viacom Chair Sumner Redstone fired
longtime friend and CEO Frank Biondi. Redstone: "Frank's style
is very laid back ... I saw the need for a different style -- the
(Rupert) Murdoch style. Very aggressive, hands on,
entrepreneurial." The Viacom board created an executive
committee that includes the heads of Viacom's major businesses
(USA TODAY, 1/18)....HBO's Jones-Sosa fight last Saturday evening
drew a 14.2 rating and a 21 share in homes that have HBO
(HB0)....The NBA's "Inside Stuff" will feature Knicks Coach Don
Nelson this weekend, with a behind-the-scenes look at his recent
GQ "fashion makeover" (NBA Entertainment)....NewSport television
has a crew of reporters in Tempe for Super Bowl XXX for a week-
long series of special programs, interviews, and press
conferences (NewSport)....CBS Sports announced their golf package
for the year. The network will broadcast 22 events this year,
with The Masters heading the list (CBS Sports)....ESPN has
acquired the worldwide distribution rights for Formula 3 auto
racing from Latin America. ESPN will distribute 11 Formula 3
races live each year beginning in '96 (ESPN)....Former Bucs Coach
Sam Wyche told Chris Myers of ESPN's "Up Close" that broadcasting
is in his future. Wyche: "I've been told this is the road you
should take. I've always been fascinated with your industry and
I, of course, have been in involved with it on the other side of
the microphone. I'm going to find out what it looks like from
the other side, too" (ESPN, 1/17)....America Online will provide
a live cybercast of track & field's '96 World Air Games in
February. AOL will create a first full online promotion of the
event which will take place in Chicago on February 18. Beginning
February 4, AOL members can access content at keyword "AOL
sports" (World Air Games).
