Turner Broadcasting had no comment on an ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION report yesterday that Microsoft was close to
investing $1B in the company (DAILY VARIETY, 8/25). But
Microsoft Chair Bill Gates said there is a "good chance" there
won't be any agreement (N.Y. POST, 8/25). REUTERS is reporting
that French media company Havas SA may join TBS in a bid for CBS
(WASHINGTON TIMES, 8/25)....Former Fox and QVC exec Barry Diller
is said to be preparing a bid for Silver King Communications --
owner of 12 UHF stations, many of which run home shopping
programming -- with plans to use them as a "backbone" of a new
network (N.Y. TIMES, 8/25). ...The New York Times Co. Magazine
Group will launch "@PLAY" on The Microsoft Network with coverage
from their magazines, including GOLF DIGEST, TENNIS, GOLF SHOP
OPERATIONS, GOLF WORLD, SNOW COUNTRY, SAILING BUSINESS, and
TENNIS BUYER'S GUIDE. "@PLAY" kicks off during the U.S. Open
(NYT Magazine Group)....Sports Illustrated is going back to press
on its August 21 edition which featured a black-and-white cover
shot of Mickey Mantle (SI)....Churchill Downs Inc., ODS
Technologies and TKR Cable in Louisville debuted an interactive
wagering system that allows consumers to watch races at home and
wager through their cable box (Churchill Downs)....Howie Rose,
the announcer for the Rangers on WFAN and MSG Network, will move
to call Islander games on SportsChannel next year. Kenny Albert,
who calls the Caps on HTS and is the son of Rangers announcer
Marv Albert, has been mentioned as a replacement on MSG (NEWSDAY,
8/25).... With the Packers ending their relationship with County
Stadium, Milwaukee is no longer considered a "home market" for
the team, meaning that Packer appearances on ESPN and TNT will be
offered on free TV only in Green Bay (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL,
8/25)....ABC's Keith Jackson said the network will be more
restrained in showing end-zone antics by college players this
year (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 8/25).
