CBS CEO Mel Karmazin is "pulling out all the stops" to
win both broadcast and cable rights to WWF programming,
according to Sallie Hofmiester of the L.A. TIMES, who writes
that Karmazin is "bringing to bear the collective might of
CBS and its proposed merger partner, Viacom." In addition
to an equity investment of $100M or more in WWF, sources say
that CBS is "offering up its billboards, radio and TV
stations, cable channels and broadcast outlets to air and
promote wrestling as well as the XFL." Currently WWF
programming rights holder USA "has the right to match any
rival offer" when renewal rights come up for bidding in
September, but analysts "question whether USA ... can
compete against CBS when it lacks a broadcast network and
cannot match other aspects of the rival deal." WWF Chair
Vince McMahon has approached both CBS and News Corp. in
hopes of setting off a "bidding war for wrestling." One CBS
source: "This is better than the NFL. The NFL lasts only 16
weeks, but WWF delivers 14 rating points every week of the
year and there is no licensing fee." Sources say that talks
broke off with News Corp. in January when McMahon "insisted
on linking XFL broadcasts to the deal." Fox could not air
XFL games due to its NASCAR commitment. CBS is "considering
putting XFL games on UPN, helping the struggling network
attract more male viewers" (L.A. TIMES, 2/29).
