FOX: In Miami, Barry Jackson reports that the Sunshine
Network, which has "consistently" refused to carry FSN's
nightly studio show due to a local programming conflict, has
decided to pick it up for the Super Bowl week. FSN execs
"remain hopeful" that either Sunshine or SportsChannel FL
will pick up FSN permanently. SportsChannel FL is looking
to acquire all FSN programming exclusively before carrying
Fox's studio shows (MIAMI HERALD, 1/25)....Fox Sports'
coverage of four '98-99 NFC playoffs games are up 13% over
last season. The network has averaged a 22.4/44 Nielsen
rating compared to last year's 19.8/41 (Fox Sports).
OTHER NOTES: Buoyed by its exclusive release of the
revised NBA schedule, NBA.com set a single-day usage record
of 449,000 visits on Thursday (NBA)....In Atlanta, Jeff
Schultz reported that the Thrashers are "talking" with
syndicated sports talk show host Scott Ferrall about him
becoming a member of their broadcast team. Ferrall, who has
never done play-by-play, would "bring a certain celebrity
status to the booth" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/24).