The Nashville Network is being renamed The National
Network and "will be repositioned using more mainstream
entertainment," according to Steven Stark of the HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER. With the move, TNN co-Founder & outgoing
President David Hall has "resigned rather than move" to
N.Y., while Nickelodeon President Herb Scannell will become
TNN President and TV Land Senior VP & Associate GM Diane
Robina will become GM. Additionally, NASCAR Thunder stores,
which were overseen by Hall, will be "divested." Robina
said that "expanding TNN's sports programming is a priority,
and she will look to CBS for assistance." TNN carries the
AFL and "is set for some" XFL games. Robina also said that
TNN "would go after" the 18-49 demo with "pockets of
programming reaching more men than women or vice versa at
various points." Paul Kagan Associates analyst John
Mansell, on TNN: "Clearly, they're moving away from their
country heritage and competing more effectively with Fox,
Turner and ESPN" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 9/20). In Nashville,
Shiffman & Lawson write that TNN "will increase its ties" to
CBS in the rebranding. Robina said that in March, TNN "may
broadcast some NCAA tournament games" (TENNESSEAN, 9/20).
