Gannett seeks cable home for new net

[Gregg Lengling]

Dan Trigoboff
Broadcasting & Cable
12/19/2002 3:53:00 PM
   Gannett Co. Inc. is in talks with major cable operators regarding a planned cable network built around local newscasts from its 22 local TV stations.

Roger Ogden, senior vice president and general manager of Gannett's KUSA-TV Denver, said the network is on the table as the company negotiates retransmission rights with operators including Comcast Corp., Cox Communications Inc., Time Warner Cable, Adelphia Communications Corp. and Charter Communications Inc.

Ogden said the company is also negotiating with satellite carriers DirecTV Inc. and EchoStar Communications Corp.

But, he added, "we're a long way from saying we're ready to launch this thing. Sometime during the first quarter of next year, we should know whether this is a viable proposition or not."

The "America Today" network would be supported by subscriber fees and national advertising, Ogden said, and it would target viewers who, for family or sentimental reasons, want to watch local newscasts from other cities.

The network would also offer reports from Gannett's TV operations in Washington, D.C.