ABC "plans to pull sports-related content" featured on
AOL "after its contract with the online service expires at
the end of April," according to Steven Vonder Haar of
INTERACTIVE WEEK, who writes that ABC's decision to "cut
off" its sports relationship with AOL "comes just months
after" the network's news division ended its partnership
with AOL. The moves "highlight" Disney's "efforts to house
more of its content under its joint venture service, GO
Network." Under terms of the previous deal, AOL "had first
dibs" on interactive content from ABC Sports, but ESPN
Internet Ventures Communications Manager Eric Handler said
that ABC will "be able to build Web-based online ties for
other sporting events aired on the network," as ABC Sports
will integrate its online efforts with ESPN.com (INTERACTIVE
WEEK, 4/26). AD AGE notes that the move "means ABC Sports
Online is now fully integrated into ESPN Online Ventures,"
and ABC Sports Online "now will receive significant online
promotion" and is "in a better position to flourish within
ESPN Internet Ventures" (AD AGE, 4/28).
