FSN's new programming lineup, which includes the
addition of 11:00pm regional sports shows, will result in
Keith Olbermann anchoring the "first and fourth hours" of
the nightly news block with Kevin Frazier, according to
David Barron of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Meanwhile, the Chris
Myers/Steve Lyons team will anchor the second and third
hours of news, at 10:00pm CST and 10:00pm MST, respectively.
There is "no word yet on the anchor combo for the fifth and
sixth hour that Fox must add." Barron writes the regional
news concept "is a good idea," but adds that Fox is "taking
something of a chance by making it a 30-minute stand-alone
show instead of part of the second hour of national news."
FSN Exec VP Arthur Smith: "It's in the spirit of what we
are, and we're the right ones to do it." Smith, asked by
Barron if FSN is "running away" from ESPN's 11:00pm ET
"SportsCenter": "We're not running away. We are providing
what is better programming and better scheduling for us."
Smith said that he also plans a "harder, more news-oriented"
direction for "The Last Word" with Jim Rome, which FSN
"hopes to promote as the sports equivalent of ABC's
'Nightline.'" Barron writes that "almost a year to the date
after Olbermann's heralded arrival at [FSN], the network
once again has gone back to the drawing board" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 1/10). In Cincinnati, John Fay wrote on the new
regional shows and called the idea "a great concept," but
added the "key" is "how much Cincinnati news they're able to
provide." Fox Sports Net VP/Media Relations Lou D'Ermilio
said the regional shows are going to feature "local stories
at the top of the show" and viewers will also see national
stories with "a local slant." D'Ermilio: "We'll have news-
gathering personnel in every region. This is a major
capital expenditure" (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 1/9).
