At Deadline - January 25, 1999

McCain Bill Would Allow Local TV on DBS
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, is expected to introduce a bill this week that could have a major impact on the satellite television business. McCain wants to give direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers the right to transmit local broadcast stations to their subscribers. The Senator tried to push through similar legislation last year, when the issue of "must-carry" rules and concerns about overlapping signals prevented the satellite and broadcast industries from agreeing to a compromise. However, last week, McCain's staffers were frantically trying to hammer out a deal; the effort takes on greater urgency because cable deregulation is scheduled to take effect at the end of March. The bill may also contain another controversial provision: McCain and other influential Republicans want to rewrite the rules governing the FCC to necessitate a two-thirds "super-majority" of the five-member commission to push through new regulations. Currently, three members of the commission are Democrats, and rules are passed with a simple majority.
ESPN Is Being Lured Outdoors
Buoyed by the success of the X Games, ESPN will premiere The ESPN Outdoor Games in July 2000. The four-day competition will take place in Lake Placid, N.Y., pushing the Disney-owned unit further down the path of extreme sports. Among the 17 different events expected: fishing, archery and sport shooting.
Evening Post Buys WLEX-TV
For an estimated $100 million, the Charleston, S.C.-based Evening Post Publishing Co. has agreed to purchase WLEX-TV, the NBC affiliate in Lexington, Ky., the nation's 67th-largest television market. The outlet has been jointly owned by the Lexington-based Bell and Gay families since its launch in 1955. Pending FCC approval, which is expected by midyear, Evening Post will own 11 VHF stations in small- to mid-size markets. In addition, the company owns 11 print properties in the Southeast, including the flagship Post and Courier in Charleston.
Little Guys Breaking Away From NAB
A small group of independent broadcasters who feel unrepresented by the National Association of Broadcasters has formed a new lobbying group. The American Association of Independent Radio Stations currently consists of 11 stations from mostly small- and medium-size markets, but it hopes to expand to as many as 100 members by the NAB meeting in Las Vegas in April. Carl Marcocci, chairman of the Tampa, Fla.-based Music of Your Life Network, said the group formed because its members believe the NAB represents only the industry's largest consolidators. "Equity has gone away on behalf of us little guys," Marcocci said.
Hercules, Xena Too Weak to Keep Slots
In what could be a blow to their national ratings, Studios USA's Hercules:The Legendary Journeys and Xena: