CBS "was willing to spend heavily on the AFC package
because the network owns stations in seven of its teams'
markets," according to sources of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's
Stephen Battaglio. In a front-page story, Battaglio writes
that the "combination of strong local ad sales -- a priority
for CBS Stations Chair Mel Karmazin -- and the promotional
platform the games provide apparently made it worth the
risk" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/13). Marquee Group Exec VP
Mike Trager: "CBS' move is as pre-emptive as Fox's for the
NFC and NBC's for the Olympics through 2008. CBS might lose
$150 million a year, but that's an investment in the
network" (USA TODAY, 1/13). Pope & Fatsis of the WALL
STREET JOURNAL: "For CBS, the renewal of football is a huge
boon, potentially enabling the network to recapture many,
younger viewers it has since lost" (WALL STREET JOURNAL,
1/13). In N.Y., Bob Raissman quotes an industry source who
said the deal "will definitely bring prestige back to CBS,
but you've got to wonder at what price. They're paying big-
time -- almost as much as Fox -- for the AFC, which doesn't
have the big markets and produce the ratings the NFC has."
One NFL source said that CBS' move "was about pleasing the
network's affiliate stations." The NFL source: "They (the
affiliates) went so far off the deep end when CBS lost the
[NFC] package it's likely that they agreed to kick in to
help CBS get the NFL package back" (DAILY NEWS, 1/13).
