In N.Y., Bill Carter writes that NBC has taken the
"first steps" toward becoming the first broadcast net to
establish a "regular business in direct marketing to viewers
through toll-free phone numbers." Last week, NBC withheld
two 30-second spots during its miniseries "Merlin" and "used
them to market the sale of videocassettes of the film." The
experiment was "so successful" that the net plans to "begin
aggressively seeking similar opportunities in other
programs" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/1)....Fox Sports West 2 and Century
Communications confirmed their deal putting FSW2 on Century
systems throughout L.A. Century said that it "has no plans
as yet" to add other Fox channels such as Fox Sports World
or Fox Sports Americas (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 5/1)....Although
official numbers were not released, Houston's Warner Cable
said that PPV orders for Wednesday's Rockets-Jazz Game Three
were "significantly higher" than a year ago. Suggested
retail price for the telecasts is $19.95 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
5/1)....The Football Network, "a basic cable channel that
will show nothing but football," is planning a late August
or early September launch (AP/S.F. EXAMINER, 4/29).
...Jefferson Bank will sponsor a new sports business report
to begin airing on Philadelphia's Comcast SportsNet (CSN)
today. The weekly news feature, called "Sport$ense," will
air during CSN's Friday "SportsNITE" telecast, and again on
Monday morning's SportsRISE show (CSN)....NBA Video's new
"NBA Hardwood Heroes" hit stores Tuesday. The tape focuses
on 11 of the game's top players and carries a suggested
retail price of $14.98. NBA Video also released "NBA Wired
For Sound," which documents conversations between coaches
and players on and off the court. SRP is $14.98 (NBAE).
