AT THE EYE: THE NEW YORKER's Ken Auletta profiles CBS
President & COO Mel Karmazin under the header, "The
Invisible Manager." When asked whether CBS has "too much
invested in over-the-air broadcasting," Karmazin said, "I
think we're the best positioned media company out there. We
have assets that generate tremendous free cash flow -- over
a billion dollars from our radio group, over eight hundred
million dollars from our television and from our cable
group" (THE NEW YORKER, 7/27 issue)....Westwood One/CBS
Radio Sports "has committed to increased NCAA basketball and
football coverage by joining with Host Communications."
Host will work with Westwood One to air 39 regular-season
football games and 44 regular-season basketball games.
Westwood One VP Larry Michael said the partnership "will
help alleviate scheduling conflicts for stations," since
NCAA football and basketball will now all be under one
umbrella (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 7/20 issue).
IN THE BOOTH: Former 49ers LB Gary Plummer "will sign a
multi-year deal this weekend" to be the 49ers' color
commentator on KGO-AM broadcasts. He will team with play-
by-play man Joe Starkey (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/23)....Veteran
announcer Leandra Reilly will handle the play-by-play duties
for Lifetime's WNBA broadcast this Friday, substituting for
play-by-play announcer Michele Tafoya, who is contributing
to CBS's coverage of the Goodwill Games (Lifetime).
