[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: 11.16.2001]

Rivals may leave CNN out in cold Editorial control biggest roadblock to sharing

By MATT KEMPNER Atlanta Journal-Constitution Staff Writer

After months of separate talks with CNN about sharing resources, both ABC News and CBS News have concluded they might have a better option: each other.

News executives from ABC and CBS have held several discussions about sharing camera crews, satellite uplinks and space in bureaus internationally.

The talks have gone on since late summer and are described as preliminary and their outcome uncertain.

But the ABC/CBS talks show CNN isn't the only option for broadcast news operations seeking a partner to help them shave costs in a rough economy.

If ABC and CBS strike a deal, it could leave Atlanta-based CNN without the mega-star broadcast news anchor it craves.

CNN had hoped to use some of the top talent at CBS or ABC, such as ABC anchor Peter Jennings.

The sharing that ABC and CBS officials are discussing is far more limited -- with less potential cost savings and fewer promotional opportunities -- than what each network has discussed with CNN. Neither network is willing to have its on-air talent appear on the rival network, for example.

Nobody was counting anybody else out on Thursday. In fact, both ABC and CBS are expected to continue their separate ongoing talks with CNN.

Officials at national TV news operations believe they could save a lot of money by sharing resources with rivals covering the same stories. Now they are under extra financial pressure because of a sharp downturn in advertising.

But no network is anxious to give up editorial control over what it puts on the air. That has been one of the biggest roadblocks to any deal.

The talks between CNN and both networks have dragged on for months, and CNN has had similar discussions with networks in the past without success.

Both ABC and CBS are eager to spread their brand to a 24-hour news channel, as NBC has done with MSNBC.

That would give them a way to reach more viewers and continue covering breaking news stories without preempting entertainment programs.

For its part, CNN wants to increase profit margins, have access to broadcast news anchors and producers, and get promotional time on broadcast networks.

-- Anonymous, November 16, 2001