Mets Games Will Remain On WPIX This Year; Yes To DirecTV?

WPIX-WB execs said yesterday that they have signed a "new two-year deal with rights holder [MSG] to air" 50 Mets games in each of the '02 and '03 seasons, according to Andrew Grossman of the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. WPIX won the rights by matching an offer from WWOR-UPN for about $220,000-230,000 per game. WWOR "wanted the Mets' games in order to bring more viewers to the station, which has struggled in recent years" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 1/31). A source said that WPIX "will pay about $300,000 a game, or $15[M] a season" (DAILY VARIETY, 1/31). WPIX "will sell its own advertising" for the games (CRAIN'S N.Y., 1/30). WPIX has carried the Mets since the '99 season (THE DAILY).

DISTRIBUTION, YES! MULTICHANNEL NEWS' R. Thomas Umstead reports that, "in what would mark its first distribution deal," YES Net has reached a tentative deal with DirecTV. Sources said that DirecTV "will most likely offer [YES] as part of its 'Total Choice' package" (MULTI. NEWS, 1/30).