Herald: NESN restricts footage use by local TV

[raccoonradio]

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=189394

A memo to local TV stations sent by Red Sox-owned NESN lays out the restrictions on footage use:

"NESN’s major restriction is to forbid the use of highlights while Red Sox and Bruins games are in progress."

This included "Dice-K"'s 6:05 pm debut on March 2. Footage couldn't appear on the 6 pm newscasts
on Ch 4, 5, and 7. Opening day, April 2, has a 4:05 pm start and unless it's a very quick
game (doubtful!), chances are highlights won't be able to appear on local TV's 6 pm 'casts.

Ch.25 (10 pm newscast) apparently already had a policy about not showing highlights of games
in progress. (As the Herald article notes, the restriction also covers the Bruins--despite the
fact that the hockey team probably would welcome MORE local TV coverage.)

The restriction, which also applies to cable outlets like Fox Sports NewEngland and
New England Cable News, had led to speculation that rights fees may someday be
required, but maybe not...I guess they're concerned about Sox fans
switching from the game to the 6, 10, or 11 pm news ("well, I know the Sox
and Yanks are tied at 3 in the 8th inning, but I'll just switch to Ch 7 news
and catch the highlights there...")

To be honest I thought that the policy of not using highlights of a game
in progress was already being used (before this year)...who knows.

 

[chuckydoll]

It's a standard industry practice

Looks like your Warner Wolf wannabes can't go to the videotape as often as they like.

What NESN is doing is a general practice throughout the industry. NESN is putting it in writing to make it official.

Fox 25 may be following corporate policy for Fox O&O stations.

 

[brightonboris]

Re: It's a standard industry practice

Looks like your Warner Wolf wannabes can't go to the videotape as often as they like.

What NESN is doing is a general practice throughout the industry. NESN is putting it in writing to make it official.

Fox 25 may be following corporate policy for Fox O&O stations.

I agree. Policy has been in place for years. Some local stations over-abused the practice especially showing highlights of Sox or Bruins games from non-NESN feeds. NESN wants to put some exclusivity on its product. I can't blame them.

By the way, Ch.38 used to charge all local news stations rights fees from 1976 to 1990 for video of Bruins and Sox games.