Sports News Network (SNN) (sometimes referred to as Mizlou Sports News Network) was the first 24-hour sports news cable channel, owned by Mizlou Communications.[1] It pre-dates NewSport, launched in 1993 & owned by Rainbow Programming Holdings, a joint venture between the Rainbow Media subsidiary of Cablevision, NBC and Liberty Media, which itself pre-dates the launch of the originally similar ESPNews in 1996.
| Type | Cable channel |
|---|---|
| Availability | Defunct |
| Parent | Mizlou Communications Co. |
| Established | 1989 |
Launch date | November 1989 |
| Dissolved | December 17, 1990 |
| Callsigns | SNN |
History
editIn August 1989, Mizlou Communications announced the November launch of Sports News Network, a 24-hour sports news and interview basic channel.[1] SNN moved from Washington, D. C. studios to Edison, N.J. on October 1, 1990.[2] Mizlou in February 1990 made a private placement of securities to keep SNN going. Mizlou made another attempt before July 1990 and attempted a third placement of $15–$20 million in July 1990 for the network.[3] SNN goes dark on December 17, 1990 as parent Mizlou Communications filed for bankruptcy. Mizlou was in talks with Landmark Communications and Telecable Corporation as a potential buyer of the channel.[4][5] In January 1991, Landmark dropped plans for a sport news channel and its discussions with Mizlou for the purchases of Sports News Network[6] due to Tele-Communications Inc.'s planned launch of Prime Sports News, an all sports news cable channel.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b Nidetz, Steve (August 25, 1989). "Mizlou To Offer 24-hour Sports News". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ Sullivan, Tom (December 1, 1990). "Mizlou's SNN: move into new studios completed in record pace". Cable Television Business. Archived from the original on August 26, 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ Higgins, John M. (July 16, 1990). "Mizlou running out of cash for SNN". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ Higgins, John M.; Umstead, R. Thomas (December 24, 1990). "SNN goes dark, Mizlou to file for Ch. 11". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ "Talks on Cable Deal End". New York Times. AP. January 28, 1991. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ Higgins, John (January 28, 1991). "Landmark spikes its plans for Sports News Network". Multichannel News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
- ^ Pierce, Scott D. (February 13, 1991). "ALL-SPORTS NEWS NETWORK COMING, AND CNN, TBS LEAD CABLE RATINGS". Deseret News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2012.