The WUSA announced its four-year national cable TV deal
with Turner Sports to televise 88 games over that period on
TNT and CNN/SI. Beginning in 2001, TNT and CNN/SI will
combine to televise 22 games per year -- 15 on TNT and seven
on CNN/SI, including the playoffs and championship game.
The N.Y. TIMES reports that Turner Sports is "paying an
estimated" $3M a year rights fee (N.Y. TIMES, 4/11). Turner
Sports President Mark Lazarus said that he "hopes" the games
will draw a 2.0 rating, or about 1.5 million HHs. Lazarus:
"This is programming we think has value -- and values. This
is family programming. It has family appeal." Lazarus adds
that Nike, GM and some beer companies "have expressed
interest" in sponsoring games, but "no deals are in place."
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Steven Stark writes that the games
that will air on CNN/SI "will do so under the banner
'Special Presentation of TNT Sports,'" and the "plan" is for
CNN/SI to begin airing more "event programming." TNT and
CNN/SI "plan on-air promotions" and will advertise in print
and on billboards. Stark notes that there have been
"discussions with AOL about its participation," but there
"has been no commitment to the number of ads or budget."
ESPN spokesperson Mike Humes said that the net "was one of
those that was interested" in the WUSA and "made an offer"
before a deal was finalized with Turner Sports (HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER, 4/11). Meanwhile, regional game coverage is still
being negotiated and DAILY VARIETY's Paula Bernstein writes,
"The cable operators who are shouldering the WUSA investment
will get first dibs at local TV rights" (VARIETY, 4/11).
