CBS's decision to carry the Jets-Bills Game on Saturday
instead of the House of Representatives impeachment vote was
"really no decision at all," according to Bob Raissman of
the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Raissman wrote that CBS's contract
with the NFL "obligated the network to air all games." The
network, feeling "viewers who wanted full impeachment
coverage could easily find it," chose to go with full
coverage of the game. During first half commercial breaks,
the network broke to updates from news anchor Dan Rather six
times while halftime featured another update from Rather,
instead of the usual "NFL Today" studio show. CBS Sports
VP/Communications LeslieAnne Wade: "All parties realize
there has to be leeway if events dictate that we must leave
a game to cover the news" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 12/20). Also in
N.Y., Richard Sandomir noted that "not one key play was
missed" and felt "CBS struck the difficult balance well"
(N.Y. TIMES, 12/20). Fox chose to go with a split-screen
for President Clinton's address during the Bucs-Redskins
game. USA TODAY'S Rudy Martzke gave both Fox and CBS
"passing marks" for their coverage. CBS Sports Exec
Producer Terry Ewert: "The sense was the impeachment of the
President was extremely important" (USA TODAY, 12/21).
