YES Altering, Cutting Rodriguez Content In Wake Of Admission

YES Network Replaces A-Rod Coverage With Safer Icons

SPRING BREAK: On Long Island, Neil Best writes YES is taking "a strange approach to spring training for a channel that exists primarily to chronicle the Yankees," as the net mostly "ignores it, other than televising select games, starting Feb. 26 against the Rays." YES Network VP/Communications Eric Handler "cited several reasons for YES' philosophy," including the fact the net simulcasts Mike Francesa's WFAN-AM radio show and is "committed to showing Nets games three or four nights per week." Also, unlike SportsNet N.Y. and newspapers, YES "does not have a regular news operation" (NEWSDAY, 2/17).

SWING FOR THE FENCES: BROADCASTING & CABLE's Ben Grossman wrote Rodriguez' admission "turned out great for one of MLB's biggest assets," MLB Network. But "despite the fact that this clearly was a coming-out party for MLB Network -- one that could have been a huge black eye had the story been mishandled, or if the network were perceived as being soft on coverage" -- MLB Network President & CEO Tony Petitti said that he "really wasn't considering consequences as the story unfolded." Petitti: "When you are in breaking-news mode, you really don't look at it globally." Petitti added that he "was given free reign" by MLB to cover the story. Petitti: "It is the same mandate I got when I got this job. Cover everything, even though base ball might not always be portrayed in the best light" (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 2/16 issue).

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