CBS and Fox execs "are seeking to derail" an NFL
proposal that would "bar the use of game highlight clips on
locally produced sports programs that air against NFL
telecasts," according to Littleton & Brodesser of DAILY
VARIETY. The proposed embargo, from noon Sunday until
midnight Monday (ET), is part of the new NFL TV deals, but
would not affect "regularly scheduled local newscasts and
year-round cable shows like ESPN's "SportsCenter" or Fox
Sports News. The "initiative is prompted by concern from
team owners that locally produced wrap-up shows and coach/
player interview programs draw viewers away from the network
telecasts of NFL games." An NFL spokesperson said the
league "has not made a final decision on whether to enforce
the embargo." But such a ban "would be particularly bad
news for Fox stations in NFC markets and CBS stations in AFC
markets." ABC affils would not be affected as the embargo
would be lifted by the time ABC's "Monday Night Football"
was over. In N.Y., CBS's O&O, WCBS-TV, has plans for a
Sunday highlight show called "NFL Tonight," but that show,
"and others like it, would be dependent on the spoken word
if the NFL strictly enforces the ban." One CBS source said
the ban "referred solely" to those highlight shows in the
"afternoon window" and that the net "expected the matter to
be resolved in favor of CBS" (DAILY VARIETY, 3/13).
