In the current MEDIAWEEK, Senior Editors Burghi & Katz
handicap 25 "emerging networks to see which ones stand the
best chance to break out of the pack and become
moneymakers." Burgi & Katz: "Some eternal verities: those
networks with corporate pull will make it to market more
easily. But a good idea, such as Classic Sports Network,
can still make it past the media giants that control the
service at the top of the list." The following lists the
rankings for sports related channels:
CLASSIC SPORTS NET (Tied for No. 4): "Its independent
status could hurt the network's distribution in a world
dominated by mediaconglomerates." ESPNEWS (Tied for No. 4):
"Of the two all-sports news services, this one is more
likely to thrive. The question is, does anyone want an all-
sports news service? Good ownership and decent promotional
muscle." CNN/fn (No. 8): "The niche is already well served
by CNBC." CNN/SI (No. 10): "Widely considered to be less
compelling to agencies and operators than its competitor.
Deep pockets and Sports Illustrated's loyal readership could
help." SPEEDVISION (Tied for No. 11): "Definitely has sex
appeal (fast cars, boats and planes). It's a very narrow
niche and one that's found in bits and pieces on other
nets." GOLF CHANNEL (Tied for No. 18): "Subscribers have
been hard to come by. The net corrected a flawed
distribution strategy which marketed it as a mini-pay. Now
as a basic channel with $50 million in Fox money, the future
looks a bit brighter" (MEDIAWEEK, 3/17).
CLASS OF '95: BROADCASTING & CABLE's Joe Schlosser
reviews "Cable's Class Of 1995: A Look At How The Major
Cable Launches Of That Year Have Fared," which includes The
Golf Channel, CSN and Speedvision. Projections for year-end
'97 subscribers: CSN with 15-20 million; TCG with 14.5
million; Speedvision with 14 million (B&C, 3/17 issue).
