DEALS: Liberty Media, TCI's programming arm, has
increased its ownership stake in Barry Diller's USA Networks
from 18% to 21% in exchange for $300M (WALL STREET JOURNAL,
7/2)....Cablevision Systems will introduce three new
stations in the N.Y. area, "shelling out" $100M "so far" for
MSG Metro, MSG Metro Guide and MSG Learning Center. The
stations will offer local traffic, weather, restaurants,
entertainment and life advice. MSG Metro Senior VP/
Development Laurie Giddins said that the new stations are
MSG's "first nonsports line extension brand" (HOLLYWOOD
REPORTER, 7/2)....ESPN Int'l has signed a programming deal
with Optus, to be called ESPN Australia. The 24-hour,
seven-day-a-week channel will offer 70 sports (ESPN).
NOTES: The 76ers signed Dir of Radio Broadcasting Tom
McGinnis, who also does radio play-by-play for the team, to
a multi-year extension (76ers)....Bill Schonely, who was the
Blazers' radio voice for 28 years until the team opted not
to renew his contract for next season, will write a memoir
on his career. At a roast honoring Schonely, KATU-TV's Paul
Linnmen said, "How ironic, that on the eve of the NBA
lockout, we're honoring a guy who was locked out by his team
weeks ago" (OREGONIAN, 7/1)....Nancy Kerrigan re-signed with
AOL's Digital City Boston for her Nancy Kerrigan's World of
Figure Skating area. The newest feature is advertising, as
three ad banners will be available on the site's home page
(P.S./StarGames)....Nielsen Media Research opened its first
day of trading on the NYSE, under the symbol NMR, at 4 9/16
and "remained flat most of the day," closing up 1 5/8 at 5
1/8 (N.Y. POST, 7/2)....In L.A., Scott Moe reviewed www.
wimbledon.orgis, the official Wimbledon site, and wrote,
"there isn't much this site doesn't have" (L.A. TIMES, 7/1).
