In Miami, Barry Jackson writes CBS is willing to pay for a
Thursday night NFL TV package, but two factors could keep a
regular Thursday game from happening. Previous Thursday games
did not have "particularly good" ratings and, secondly, would the
other five NFL rights-holders "bid as aggressively to retain
[NFL] rights if they knew they won't face direct competition from
CBS or another legitimate outside bidder?" UPN has expressed
interest in the NFL, but "doesn't have enough quality affiliates
to be a serious contender." CBS Senior VP/Production Rick
Gentile: "[Thursday nights] is our best chance, but I don't know
if its going to happen" (MIAMI HERALD, 9/29).
TELE-TV: Tele-TV's deal with Fox Sports to sub-license its
40 Dodgers games to the new Fox RSN in L.A. is a "windfall,"
according to Workman & Breznick of CABLE WORLD. Tele-TV had
reportedly paid $100M for a five-year Dodger deal last year. In
return for the games, Tele-TV will "get back most of its $100-
million investment in the five-year contract and obtain
distribution rights to both Prime Sports West and the new
network." CABLE WORLD sources also said Tele-TV will receive
exclusive distribution rights to the new sports service in
sections of the L.A. market where it can't carry Prime Sports
West. Both Continental and Century Communications have exclusive
deals to carry Prime Sports West in their area (CABLE WORLD, 9/30
issue).
