Fox's first weekend of NHL regional coverage on Saturday
afternoon drew a 2.9 overnight rating. That number is based on
31 of the 33 metered markets, with hockey pre-empted in K.C. and
Milwaukee. ABC's coverage of the IRL's Indy 200 from Orlando
drew a 3.0 overnight (THE DAILY).... CNN reported that Microsoft
co-Founder Paul Allen confirmed he is interested in purchasing
part of Time Warner. A report on Friday said Allen may buy
Seagram's 15% share in the company. A spokesperson for Allen
said he would buy no more than 15% ("Moneyline," CNN,
1/26)...INSIDE MEDIA reports sources say Miller Brewing "has
decided to reduce its national commercial load" on ABC's "Monday
Night Football" next year. Miller is expected to air three 30-
second spots per telecast as compared to four this year.
Anheuser-Busch will reportedly will continue to air four national
30-second spots on each "MNF" broadcast (Brockinton & Reynolds,
INSIDE MEDIA, 1/24)....The Akron BEACON JOURNAL notes the
increased ratings of Cleveland's all-sports radio shows since Art
Modell announced his intention to move. WKNR-AM has seen ratings
jump 121% from last year to a 5.3 share (Akron BEACON JOURNAL,
1/28)....Jule Campbell, who has managed SI's swimsuit edition for
32 years, is leaving the magazine to write a book about her
experiences working with swimsuit models (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 1/27).... Chicago-based Major Sports Networks has
reached a deal with Harbin Enterprises to syndicate "Roto Talk,"
a one-hour sports talk show dealing exclusively with rotisserie
(Major Sports Networks)....CBS is looking for an outside company
to handle ad sales for its Web site, according to AD AGE. The
network "wants to bring on a team to pitch CBS-owned content such
as news and sports to marketers" (AD AGE ONLINE, 1/29).
