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As they race toward their Sept. 5 debuts, The CW and My Network TV have fired their latest shots in the battle to sign up affiliates. The CW, already ahead in distribution, recruited five new stations. But My Network TV snagged a bigger catch, landing a deal with a major TV-station group. And as the networks press for more deals, potential affiliates say they have major concerns regarding both.
My Network TV, announced Feb. 22, unveiled its first affiliation pact last week with Sinclair Broadcast Group to carry the mini-network on 17 of its stations. Sinclair was a prime target for both suitors, since the company owns and operates 18 WBs and six UPNs.
Two days before revealing his choice, Sinclair Chairman David Smith praised the My Network TV plans. Fox, Smith said at a Bear Stearns investor conference, has "demonstrated historically the ability to do things outside the box, be trend-makers and create huge wealth and value."
With the deal, My Network TV boosted its distribution to 36% of U.S. TV households. The company's nine UPN outlets and one independent will also carry the network.
The...