Media Notes

Senators Decide Not To Offer PPV Option For Upcoming Season

In Ottawa, Chris Stevenson cites a source as saying that the Senators this season will not offer games on PPV, but the team has "not ruled out bringing them back at a future date." The source said that "demand among the networks for Senators games has been high," leaving the team "without many attractive games to put together for a [PPV] package." The source added that the Senators are "working on bringing another broadcasting outlet into the picture, which could pick up more games, leaving maybe as few as two or three games not being available in the Ottawa market" (OTTAWA SUN, 9/17).

CLOCK TICKING: In Green Bay, Warren Gerds reported LIN TV, the parent company of WLUK-Fox, said that "time is running out on its retransmission contract with Time Warner Cable [TWC], and carriage of programming, including [Packers] games, could stop Oct. 2." TWC spokesperson William Harke: "We're in negotiation with everybody constantly, and we are negotiating. ... It's all about the money" (GREEN BAY PRESS-GAZETTE, 9/16).

TIME FOR A CHANGE: In Chicago, Fred Mitchell reported the "setting for 'Chicago Tribune Live' will change to a more casual look beginning Oct. 1." Comcast SportsNet Chicago President Jim Corno: "The format won't change a whole lot. The set is going to be more contemporary and more open. I think it's going to be more pleasing for the viewer. ... It is going to be more of a discussion-type area. I think it is a natural progression for us" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 9/16). Meanwhile, CSN Chicago tonight at 5:30pm CT will celebrate the 1,000th live airing of "Chicago Tribune Live" with a panel featuring White Sox and Bulls Chair Jerry Reinsdorf, Blackhawks Chair Rocky Wirtz and Cubs Chair Crane Kenney (CSN).

HIGH FLIERS: MASN next March will launch a full-time HD channel, which will allow the net to more than double the number of HD telecasts of Nationals and Orioles games. The net in '09 will air up to 200 MLB games in HD, as well as Ravens preseason games, select NCAA football, basketball and lacrosse games and ESPNews in HD (MASN).