ESPN REVIEW: In Chicago, Michael Hirsley reviews ESPN
Magazine, calling it "splashy at best, splotchy at worst."
While "terrific photography abounds," Hirsley adds,
"Confusing layouts, ads that look like story art and vice-
versa, and murky color blends that obscure type sometimes
force a slow read through short stories" (TRIBUNE, 3/13).
IT'S MADNESS: In Boston, Howard Manly reports that
during CBS's coverage of the NCAA tournament, the network
will reduce its use of the split screen, using it "only as a
quick transition from one game to another." Manly calls the
move by CBS "a great decision, as is the move to use a
continuous score box and clock" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/13).
FROM CANADA: CBC's "Hockey Night In Canada" pulled in
1.12 million viewers Saturday, helped by a five game split
which included three Canadian teams. It was "just the
second time this season" it has topped one million viewers
(TORONTO SUN, 3/13)....As part of a four-year deal which
begins in '98, Canada's Reseau des Sports (RDS) will "beef
up" its Senators coverage to "at least" 13 games a year,
"nearly half" of the 30 games the net plans to air (OTTAWA
SUN, 3/13)....In Toronto, Steve Buffery writes that BidCo,
the Toronto group bidding for the 2008 Olympics, is "banking
on" NBC to "become a major ally" in its bid. BidCo believes
NBC "would very much want a North American site, especially
one located in the Eastern time zone" (TORONTO SUN, 3/13).
NOTES: In L.A., Larry Stewart reports that the Julio
Cesar Chavez-Miguel Angel Gonzalez PPV fight last weekend
drew 200,000 buys, "double what was expected" (L.A. TIMES,
3/13)....The sports category of the George Polk Awards for
excellence in journalism was awarded to the K.C. Star for
its report on the NCAA's "poor enforcement record and its
executives' expensive taste for perks" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/13).
