NESN's future in doubt....

[Kevin Vahey <webway@channel1.com>]

The sports TV freelancers in Boston continue to fret as with each passing
day it appears that NESN may soon cease to exist. NESN is a 3 way
partnership (Red Sox 48%, Bruins 28%, WSBK 24%) and there is bad blood
between them. The rumor mill has Rupert Murdoch offering to buy out the
Bruins and WSBK and wresting control from the Red Sox. If this happens
look for the Bruins to join FOX SPORTS NE. What happens to the Sox? Right
now they don't have a clue!

The picture gets muddled even more by the fact that WABU has in effect
thrown up the white flag. The station has passed on its option for next
season and is so cash poor it has allowed its option for JUDGE JUDY to
lapse. 

But as always the Red Sox have a new suitor, and this one is loaded. The
Hearst Corp (along with partner MediaOne) has expressed interest in
placing the Sox on NECN (yes New England Cable News), with some games then
being shown on WCVB. NECN which has been invisable for most of its 6 1/2
years just might be a good fit for the old towne team as it is now
available in a good chunk of the 6 state region. In Chicago, the Tribune
Company was bleeding red ink on Chicagoland TV (CLTV) a Chicago cable news
operation, until they shifted some 50 games from WGN over to the cable
outlet.

It will be very interesting to see how this plays out.

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