KCAL has signed a new seven-year deal for local TV
broadcast rights to the Lakers worth an "estimated" $140M,
according to Cynthia Littleton of DAILY VARIETY. Under
terms of the deal, KCAL will control all production and ad
sales for its telecasts of the team's 41 away games. KCAL
has controlled local Lakers rights for more than 20 years,
and its previous deal with the team "was governed by a
complex revenue-sharing formula." However, the station is
paying more under the new deal "in exchange for exclusive
control of ad sales, sponsorship and promotional tie-ins."
Financial terms of the pact were not disclosed, but sources
said that KCAL will pay "about" $20M a year in the deal,
which begins in the '98-99 season and runs through 2004-05.
KCAL also carries the NHL Kings, Ducks, Angels and Clippers
and is "planning to try out a few" WNBA broadcasts this
summer. Fox Sports West hold rights to the Lakers home
games (DAILY VARIETY, 6/18). KCAL also will receive rights
to all Lakers' playoff games "not covered by" the NBA's
network commitments (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 6/18)
