At meetings last week, MLB approved Time Warner's plan
to convert WTBS from a superstation to a basic cable
channel, according to Richard Sandomir of the N.Y. TIMES.
WTBS, which will not be able to collect fees from cable
systems, cut the number of Braves telecasts from 124 to 96.
MLB will "likely collect more from WTBS in rights fees" than
the estimated $15M it pays into a superstation pool. ESPN
and Fox still need to approve any deal "and one could argue
that they might ask for financial relief from their
contracts." Sandomir notes WTBS's move indicates that
superstations are "on the wane" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/21).
SUNSHINE GO AWAY TODAY? In FL, "tensions between"
Sunshine Network and Wayne Huizenga's SportsChannel FL
"intensified" when Sunshine said it will not use Marlins-
hired announcers on its 35 broadcasts. The moves "comes in
response" to the Marlins' refusal to change the dates of '97
Marlins broadcasts if there are conflicts with Sunshine's
Heat, Magic or Lightning playoff games. Sunshine GM Jim
Liberatore said the Marlins refused to discuss changing a
game schedule for the "first time ever" and, as a result, he
will be looking for new announcers (MIAMI HERALD, 1/17).