Media ad buyers are "praising" MLB's move to approve
interleague play beginning in '97, according to Jim McConville of
BROADCASTING & CABLE. But they "predict that the impact on TV
advertising will be short-lived and may not extend beyond a
handful of key local markets, such as New York, Chicago and Los
Angeles." Bill Sherman, VP at McCann-Erickson: "Initially it
will have an impact on local ratings. But you're really talking
about a handful of markets where you have dual representation.
Those local markets ratings will get a bump, but on a long-term
basis, I'm not sure that this is going to translate into any
national increases" (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 1/22 issue).
HOW 'BOUT THEM METS? Tom Marsillo, VP/Sales at
SportsChannel New York, tells INSIDE MEDIA that the network has
renewed deals with Anheuser-Busch, Nobody Beats the Wiz, Coors,
Modell's, and Tri-State Jeep dealers. He remains "confident that
agreements with incumbents," U.S. Postal Service, MetLife, NYNEX,
MCI, AmEx, and local Ford and GMC dealers, will be finalized
soon. With those, SC will "have sold about 60% of the inventory
in its 80 Mets cablecasts." Marsillo said the pledge of a full-
season and the Mets' strong finish helped sales. Marsillo places
the price of a single-spot strip at $200-700,000 depending on
category and exclusivity, and expects to pick up additional ad
dollars from banks and various telecom companies (Brockinton &
Reynolds, INSIDE MEDIA, 1/24 issue).
FOX NAMES TEAM: Thom Brennaman, Joe Buck and Chip Caray
were hired yesterday by Fox Sports for baseball play-by-play.
Brennaman was with the Cubs for six seasons before joining the
Diamondbacks. Caray will enter his 4th season with the Mariners,
while continuing with the Magic. A fourth play-by-play man and
all analyst spots are still open (Steve Nidetz, CHICAGO TRIBUNE,
1/30).
