The NFL's Pro Bowl will be televised during prime time next
season, the first for a network broadcast of the game. ABC will
carry the Pro Bowl beginning at 8:00pm EST on February 2. The
game aired during prime time while on ESPN from '88-95. Last
year's game on ABC began at 6:00pm EST (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER,
4/11)....In Philadelphia, Glenn Gamboa reports industry experts
estimate ESPNet SportsZone's subscriber base at 140,000.
SportsZone Product Manager Brian Ratzliff says between
"subscriptions, merchandising and the advertising on the site,"
ESPNet will soon "take in enough to pay off its overhead and the
salaries of the staff of 50" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/11)....A
strike or lockout of up to 7,000 employees of the CBC could
affect NHL playoff coverage and even this summer's Olympics. CBC
employees vote on labor resolutions April 22 (Vancouver SUN,
4/11).... In DC, Paul Farhi profiles many broadcasters' questions
about the accuracy of the Nielsen ratings system (WASHINGTON
POST, 4/11)....Former Olympic medalist Mel Stewart has been hired
as a scene reporter for ESPN (USA TODAY, 4/11).... Prime Sports
will televise five AFL Anaheim Piranhas games live this season
(Prime)....SportsLine USA will run a $1M contest for fans
predicting the NFL Draft (SportsLine USA).
