IT'S COMING FRIDAY: ESPNEWS SETS FOR LAUNCH

     ESPNEWS, the third domestic sports network from ESPN, will
aim to "ride the coattails" of its "two older brothers" to
success, according to Alan Breznick of CABLE WORLD.  ESPN Exec VP
Sales/Marketing George Bodenheimer confirmed that the network is
pitching free carriage to cable systems which already carry
ESPN2.  ESPN is also offering discounts on ESPN2's $.15/month
license fee if systems carry ESPN2 and ESPNEWS next to each
other, and "steeper" discounts if systems place all three of the
company's channels together.  Unlike MSNBC, Fox News Channel and
Classic Sports Network, ESPN is not offering exclusive
distribution to cable operators (CABLE WORLD, 10/28 issue).
     NEWS & NOTES: ESPN is available in more than 70 million
homes, or 72.5% of the country, according to the November '96
Nielsen Cable Universe estimates (ESPN)....ESPNEWS announced
three new anchors -- John Buccigross from WPRI-TV in Providence,
RI; Dave Revsine from WHBF-TV in Rock Island, IL; and Pam Ward
from WBAL-Radio in Baltimore (ESPNEWS).