WWFE PINS THREE-YEAR DEAL WITH SCORE TELEVISION
By Adnews Staff
World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc., based in Stamford, CT, has inked a broadcasting agreement with Toronto-based Score Television Network. Score will broadcast WWFE's television program SmackDown on Thursday nights. Also included are a three-year deal for Score to broadcast WWFE's WWF Metal program beginning in mid-December and a two-year deal to broadcast certain XFL games beginning in February 2001. SmackDown is currently broadcast in the U.S. market on UPN. WWF Metal is currently seen on a number of stations in the Canadian market. In thirty days the rights to broadcast the program will move to Score and the network's three-year term will begin. The XFL agreement will allow Score to broadcast one football game every Sunday during the regular season as well as two playoff games and the championship game. The XFL season begins on February 3, 2001. Other WWFE programs seen in Canada include Sunday Night Heat and Livewire, which air on CTV Sportsnet, and Raw is War, which airs on TSN. WWFE's broadcasting agreements with CTV and TSN are not affected by the Score deal. Toronto-based WWFE Canada Inc. will promote the agreement with Score through advertising and public relations activities. Although details have not been confirmed, initial plans include outdoor, print and radio advertising, on-air promotion, public relations activities and a launch party, all expected to begin rolling out next month. Advertising and public relations for WWFE Canada are handled in-house.