ESPN SEES GROWTH POTENTIAL WITH GAMEPLAN ON DIGITAL TV

          ESPN "is hoping that the growth of digital technology
     will allow operators to carry the full 'ESPN GamePlan'"
     college football package into cable homes and "generate more
     revenue for operators," according to R. Thomas Umstead of
     MULTICHANNEL NEWS.  With an addition of PPV channels
     "possible via digital," operators will be able to offer "as
     many as 10 games each Saturday" during ESPN's 110-game
     college PPV schedule.  ESPN Dir of Sales & Marketing Skip
     Desjardin: "We're convinced that the more games offered, the
     better the product will perform."  Desjardin said that the
     package's performance on DBS last year generated "double-
     digit growth" compared with the year before, but he "would
     not reveal specific figures."  Umstead notes that operators
     "will charge more for the package this year."  Regular-
     season and "early-bird" prices will increase by $10, to
     $99.89 and $89.99, respectively.  The full-day price will
     also increase by $1, to $11.95 (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 8/16).