INTO ESPN WEST: DIRECTV, ECHOSTAR SET TO CARRY NEW CHANNEL

          ESPN has reached agreements with DirecTV and Echostar's
     DISH Network to carry the October launch of ESPN West
     (ESPN).  In L.A., Scott Hettrick reports that a "customized
     version" of ESPNEWS, featuring local scores and highlights
     of Southern California teams, will be shown on ESPN West
     each evening.  Hettrick adds that both DirecTV and EchoStar
     currently offer Fox Sports West 2, and that, with the
     addition of ESPN West, both distributors will have the "full
     complement" of Disney-owned channels, including all five
     ESPN networks (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 4/29).
          SPORTS IS LOCAL: Beginning in July, ESPNEWS will
     introduce Local Bottom Line, a twice-hourly, two-minute
     local version of the Bottom Line sportsticker which
     currently runs around the clock on the net.  All ESPN affils
     will be offered the service, which will provide local sports
     news, highlights and scores of athletes and teams (ESPN).