Fox Sports Net and ACTV Inc. signed a programming
agreement which covers all Fox Sports Net programming
regions through June 30, 2003. The agreement grants ACTV
the right to license and apply its brand of individualized
programming to Fox Sports Net programming with each Fox
Sports Net RSN (ACTV). Fox Sports News Exec VP Arthur Smith
says the network will add SportsSouth, NESN and WBIS+ to its
national distribution on January 21 (USA TODAY, 12/20).
NEWS & NOTES: In Boston, Jim Greenidge notes with
SportsChannel switching from premium to basic service
December 31, the network's New England audience will
increase from 1.65 million homes to 2.5 million (BOSTON
GLOBE, 12/20)....Dave Winfield won't return as analyst for
Fox's Saturday MLB studio show. One reason is that the show
is being shortened to 15 minutes. Fox spokesperson Vince
Wladika: "It was a mutual agreement, with Dave wanting to
pursue other interests" (NEWSDAY, 12/20)....NBC will not
renew its contract to carry next year's Wooden Classic
college basketball doubleheader (L.A. TIMES, 12/19).
...Despite an earlier announcement, Garden State Cable in
New Jersey said it has been "unable to reach an agreement"
to carry ESPNEWS (PHILA. DAILY NEWS, 12/20).
