The NHL "approached" ESPN regarding the "possibility of
allowing an over-the-air" TV outlet in the Dallas-Ft. Worth
area to "supplement" ESPN's coverage of the Stars-Sabres
Game Six, according to Barry Horn of the DALLAS MORNING
NEWS. However, ESPN Manager of Communications Diane Lamb
"was not optimistic" that the net would share the game: "The
NHL initiated the calls, but I don't think anything is going
to come of it." NHL VP/Broadcasting Glenn Adamo: "We are
continuing discussions, but at the end of the day, it is
their call." Only 52% of homes in the Dallas-Ft. Worth
region are wired for cable (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 6/18).
TV: In Toronto, William Houston writes that CBC's
"HNIC" earned "its highest audience" for this year's Stanley
Cup Finals with 2.01 million viewers for Game Four, bringing
its average to 1.751 million, up 26% from '98 (GLOBE & MAIL,
6/18)....In N.Y., Richard Sandomir writes that ESPN's
average NHL playoff ratings are flat at a 1.2, and ESPN2's
ratings "rose a bit" from '98 to a 0.6 (N.Y. TIMES, 6/18).
