Turner Broadcasting formally announced plans for a new
regional channel this fall geared toward the Southeastern
region (See THE DAILY, 2/24). Turner South will be
available to viewers in AL, GA, MS, TN, SC and parts of NC.
TBS Superstation President Bill Burke, who will lead the new
network, says that he "hoped it would draw viewers away"
from USA Network and "other general entertainment networks."
Burke added that FL was not included in the plan as Turner
"does not own" rights in that state to "all its programming,
especially in sports" (N.Y. TIMES, 2/25). The HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER's Scott Hettrick writes that the new network will
"not pull any national games" off of TBS or "reduce the
number of games carried by that network." Games "will be
subject to the normal regional blackout rules." Turner is
also considering "other potential regional entertainment
networks" and new "national networks." Burke "would not
disclose" anticipated break-even subscriber levels or
network license fees (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 2/25). DAILY
VARIETY's Richard Katz reports that Turner South's lineup
"will include 30-35 Braves games" that will "be exclusive to
the new channel" (DAILY VARIETY, 2/25).
