Time Warner today launches CNNSI.com, which includes
contributions from CNN/SI, CNN, Sports Illustrated and
Turner Sports. Besides scores, news and stats, the site,
which will also be the sports site for CNN Interactive and
the Pathfinder network, features access to current and
archival material from SI, local sports sections for more
than 150 cities, and a women's sports section with content
from SI Women/Sport. Turner Interactive Marketing & Sales
will "spearhead and coordinate" the ad sales efforts of
Turner Ad Sales, SI Ad Sales and Time Inc. New Media Ad
Sales. The site will be managed by CNN/SI Interactive GM
Steve Zales and editorial content will be overseen by CNN/SI
Managing Editor Steve Robinson (CNNSI).
FREE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT: In Baltimore, Milton Kent
calls the site "rather impressive, and free," while noting
"significant parts" of ESPN SportsZone and CBS SportsLine
require a monthly fee (Baltimore SUN, 7/17). In N.Y.,
George Mannes writes that the site will be "heavily promoted
in Time Warner's print and broadcast sports properties,"
including CNN/SI and the NFL on TNT (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 7/17).
TIME FOR CELEBRATION? Time Warner posted a second-
quarter profit of $30M compared with a year-earlier loss,
"roundly beating analysts' expectations" (WALL STREET
JOURNAL, 7/17). Earnings from publishing were up 12% in the
quarter to a record $174M, "reflecting a strong advertising
market, especially for mass-circulation consumer titles such
as Sports Illustrated" (FINANCIAL TIMES, 7/17).