Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch kicked the extra point in his NFL strategy Monday, acquiring 12 powerful TV stations for $ 500 million.
"It's a major move by Fox, especially in Dallas, where they get a VHF station back for the Cowboys," said TV agent Bob Rosen. "Does Murdoch have all this money? I think so. You've got to believe the NFL has already helped his network."
While the stations most likely won't be carrying Fox's NFL games until 1995 - switchovers will take from six to 18 months - the deal with New World Communications for VHF affiliates in top markets such as Dallas (No. 8), Detroit (9), Atlanta (11), Cleveland (12), Tampa (15), St. Louis (18), Phoenix (20), Milwaukee (28) and Kansas City (31) helps Fox in the TV industry. "I said never bet against Rupert Murdoch," said Grey Advertising's Jon Mandel. "Football is the gnat on the elephant's butt on this deal, which is about TV and movie production and local news."
Until Monday, Fox's strategy of paying $ 1.58 billion for the National Football Conference for four years to spur it to becoming a full-time network had only reached midfield.
True, Fox had added 47 network affiliates to give it 150 full time, 180 including secondary affiliations with stations already with ABC, CBS or NBC. But Fox's total number still was about 50 shy of the other networks and most of Fox's affiliates remained weak-signal UHF stations.
So Fox, estimated to lose about $ 800 million on the NFL deal, added another $ 500 million to the ledger with the New World move (other acquired stations are in Austin, Texas; Birmingham, Ala.; and High Point-Greensboro, N.C.). But in doing so, Murdoch's given Fox a better chance to make its money back on the NFL and delivered a blow to No. 1 prime time network CBS. Eight of the new VHS affiliates will switch from CBS, three from ABC and one from NBC.
"To those who say our (NFL) strategy failed, I say two words: 'sour grapes,' " said Preston Padden, Fox executive vice-president affiliate relations. "We've gotten 12 outstanding affiliates. And we just didn't throw money at them."
Padden said, "In terms of breadth of coverage, we're at parity with the other three networks - 97% of the USA and we'll pass 98. In terms of strength of coverage, truthfully we're not as strong, but this transaction makes us stronger."
He added that, "We will be very interested in the 2000 Olympics" in Sydney, Australia.
CBS affiliate relations chief Tony Malara, who had said Fox's strategy had failed, was not available for comment. NBC declined comment.
Brown to follow Stockton?
Dick Stockton, with CBS since 1978, will be introduced as a Fox NFL broadcaster today in New York.
A deal to make CBS' James Brown co-host of Fox's NFL pregame show with Terry Bradshaw also could be completed today. "I certainly wouldn't complain about marrying the two, Fox and CBS," Brown said Monday from Paris where he's hosting USA's French Open. Numbers good at Turner
As TNT caps its final week of the NBA playoffs by opening the Indiana-New York series tonight at 8 p.m. ET, Turner officials have reason to smile.
Ratings are even with last year's blockbuster 3.3, and coverage of the record number of postseason games (43) is at a peak. "Michael Jordan's gone, we've had five head-to-head games with TBS, tripleheaders and games starting at 7 p.m.," says Turner senior vice-president Kevin O'Malley, "yet the ratings have been impressive."
On the production side, there have been some foul-ups. But overall Turner's continued its reputation of having the top analysts (Doug Collins, Hubie Brown, Dick Versace), added Mike Fratello and capable studio-guest analysts Chuck Daly (tonight) and Don Nelson along with improved studio host Ernie Johnson Jr., and treated viewers to more "bonus coverage" of other games.
Carillo brushes off McEnroe's comments
CBS/ESPN's Mary Carillo is "disappointed" that long-time friend John McEnroe continues to challenge her broadcasting credentials.
"I don't think John can hurt me," Carillo said Monday. "I have never claimed to have won Wimbledon or that I am a guy. I've felt John was upset with me when I didn't defend his boorish behavior on the court, and that I let him down. That's why he takes it out on me."
