Sinclair Broadcast Group is "merging and rebranding the two-year-old American Sports Network with two digital sports networks," according to Holden Wilen of the BALTIMORE BUSINESS JOURNAL. The net will "combine forces" with Chicago-based digital outfits Silver Chalice and 120 Sports to form a "new multi-platform sports network." Sinclair said that "additional announcements including a full programming schedule, new product offerings, network branding, distribution partners, sponsors and studio details will be made in the weeks ahead." Sinclair VP/Corporate Development Scott Shapiro said that the group is "taking an ownership stake in the company." The network will "launch later this year on Sinclair's multicast channels and be carried by cable and satellite providers" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/13). N.Y.-based LionTree Advisors acted as an exclusive advisor to 120 Sports and Silver Chalice on the transaction (Sinclair).
PEOPLE DON'T LIKE SPORTS? BLOOMBERG NEWS' Smith & Shaw cited sources as saying that cable programmers including Viacom, Discovery Communications and AMC Networks are "in talks with pay-TV distributors about creating new online TV services for consumers who don’t want to pay for sports." One source said that the media companies have "explored offering entertainment-only packages over the internet with four to six pay-TV providers." The source added that the talks are at "various stages, but at least one service could be introduced this year." Another source said that sports-free TV "would cost less than $20 a month." Efforts to "create sports-free packages with distributors could trigger a backlash" from companies like Disney. Two years ago, Verizon "tried to sell such a bundle called Custom TV and was sued by Disney for alleged contract violations" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 4/13).
