LUCKY 13? CAPITALS INCREASE EXPOSURE BY EXPANDING WITH HTS

          The Capitals will have 62 of 82 games on local TV this
     year, including a "best-ever" 50 on HTS, a "telling sign of
     [HTS'] continued emergence in the local sports scene,"
     according to Eric Fisher of the WASHINGTON TIMES.  HTS,
     which has broadcast Capitals games since '84, "has
     traditionally been reluctant to air more than about" 45
     games each year "because of hockey's smaller fan base
     compared to basketball."  But "thanks to a dogged pursuit"
     by Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis and the "improvement of the
     team into one of the NHL's elite," HTS and its broadcast
     partner, WBDC-WB TV, agreed to a 13% increase over last
     season's original 54 game broadcast schedule.  HTS officials
     said that the Capitals' increased airtime "will not come at
     the expense" of the Wizards (WASHINGTON TIMES, 9/12).