the affiliations of the other three net- works in markets covering almost 14%, and soon to be more than 15%, of the country. CBS CEO "Larry Tisch has got to rethink how much he will pay for TV station ownership," said one TV group executive. "If he had bought the New World [then-SCI-TV] stations in the first place, when they were for sale, and which were a natural fit, he might not have had this problem." The Monday morning quarterback- ing had a more utilitarian purpose than just to vent opinions. Station execu- tives and group-owner CEOs were try- ing to figure out what Tisch and his counterparts at ABC and NBC would try to do. In order to hang onto VHFs in the affected markets, some were figuring the networks might be forced into package deals affecting other markets. Among the TV groups that CBS may approach for affiliations: • Scripps Howard was the single- most victimized by Fox's me-first By Geoffrey Foisie strategy, losing network affiliations in supply some of the programing. Tampa, Phoenix and Kansas City. It 1 he dominoes have only begun to New World also has a minimum or- also owns coveted VHF stations in fall. der from the Fox network for two series two markets where CBS has been T The big three networks and pilots and two made-for-TV movies. unseated: Detroit and Cleveland. A network affiliates across the country New World now owns eight stations. group affiliation switch is a possibili- began scrambling to repair the damage But last week, it also announced an ty; a sale is also possible, but Scripps done to them last week by the unprece- agreement to buy Argyle Television's Howard recently has been more a dented affiliation agreement between four VHF affiliates for $717 million buyer than a seller. News Corp.'s Fox Television and New (see box, page 8). • Gannett, with VHF stations in World Communications Group. Of the networks, CBS is most affect- Atlanta, Austin and Phoenix (NBC, Under the deal announced last Mon- ed. Eight of the New World/Argyle sta- ABC and NBC), holds the key to three day, New World's 12 current or soon- tions are CBS affiliates. Also unsettled more markets where CBS is temporar- to-be-owned VHF network affiliates are Fox's 12 current UHF affiliates and ily locked out. will become Fox affiliates • LIN Broadcasting for the next 10 years. IT'S A NEW WORLD FOR FOX owns NBC affiliates in To seal the deal, Fox Dallas and Austin. Future Fox Network Current Fox Groups will give New World • Gaylord Broadcast- affiliates losing affiliates losing Fox $500 million—$250 mil- ing, with a VHF indepen- Market Rank (all VHF) affiliation (all UHF) affiliation lion for preferred stock at dent in Dallas and a U in a slight premium over Dallas 8 KDFW CBS KDAF Fox Milwaukee, also could be last week's price and Detroit 9 WJBK CBS WKBD Paramount on CBS's list. A conver- $250 million in a seven- Atlanta 11 WAGA CBS WATL Fox sation with Gaylord, year interest-free loan. Cleveland 12 WJW CBS W0I0 Mai rite however, could go be- New World also will Tampa 16 WTVT CBS WFTS Scripps Howard yond affiliation, since receive time on the Fox- St. Louis 18 WTVI ABC KDNL River City Gaylord has been spin- owned stations for its Phoenix 21 KSAZ CBS KNXV Scripps Howard ning off properties lately. syndicated programing. Milwaukee 28 WITI CBS WCGV Sinclair An assignable option on KSHB It will get two hours dur- Kansas City 29 WDAF NBC Scripps Howard its Milwaukee property Greensboro/49 WGHP ABC WNRW Act III ing daytime and a late- already may be in the night slot, probably at Winston Salem/ hands of Sinclair Broad- High Point 11:30. casting, which, as of last Birmingham 50 WBRC ABC WTT0 Sinclair New World subsidiary week, also owns the Austin 65 KTBC CBS KBV0 Austin Television Genesis is expected to deposed Fox affiliate in