CBS CEO Les Moonves yesterday indicated that the net is attempting to gain rights to transmit NFL games it broadcasts on TV "via its new broadband service 'CBS All Access' in time for the next TV season." Moonves previously has indicated that he would "like to be able to show NFL games via the service, which launched in the fall of 2014 and allows subscribers to see current and classic episodes of many series to which CBS has rights." VARIETY's Brian Steinberg noted the "ability to show NFL contests via broadband would be a boon to CBS, which is counting on both ‘All Access’ and a new product that delivers cable network Showtime via broadband to generate meaningful revenue” in ’17 (VARIETY.com, 2/29).
NO END IN SIGHT: In N.Y., Claire Atkinson notes YES Network begins coverage of Yankees Spring Training tomorrow as a dispute between Comcast and the RSN "continues into month five." The dispute "affects about 900,000 Comcast subscribers who live in New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania." Sources said that there has been "little movement in the discussions" (N.Y. POST, 3/1).
WHERE'S THE DRAMA? In Toronto, Mike Zeisberger writes TSN and Rogers Sportsnet yesterday were "losers" during NHL trade deadline coverage. In the first four hours of coverage, only "one deal transpired." That "had to be excruciating" for TSN's James Duthie and Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos (TORONTO SUN, 3/1). Also in Toronto, Bruce Arthur writes, "If you wanted something to talk about, or if you were broadcasting about the deadline for 10 solid hours, then this was one of the least entertaining deadlines in memory, in any sport." The "most interesting thing that happened was when TSN’s Jennifer Hedger took a T-shirt in the midsection during the T-shirt cannon segment" (TORONTO STAR, 3/1).
