DISNEY'S SKATING AWAY WITH FIVE-YEAR DEAL WITH ISU

          ABC, ESPN and Lifetime "reached a five-year contract
     Thursday with the International Skating Union [ISU] to
     televise major figure and speed skating events run by the
     sports' governing body," according to Stephen Battaglio of
     the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER.  ABC, ESPN, and Lifetime will carry
     60 hours of original programming per year beginning next
     fall.  Included are "all ISU Olympic-eligible figure skating
     events, such as the world championships and Grand Prix
     competitions."  The three nets, which will share 11 figure
     skating, five speed skating and four short-track events,
     will be able to "cross-promote events throughout the skating
     season."  Live, same-day turnaround and post-produced events
     will all be featured (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 9/18).  ESPN2 will
     also carry some events (Milton Kent, Baltimore SUN, 9/18).