Broadcast network executives said such shifts would be made easier because of corporate ties to sister cable networks. But some cable programmers said scheduling considerations and contract provisions might hamper any potential changes in programming.
Though broadcast network executives downplayed the likelihood of moving live sports events to cable in deference to breaking war news, such shifts had already occurred on October 7. On that day - the first of the US bombing campaign in Afghanistan - ABC and NBC pre-empted live soccer and National Association for Stock Car Racing programming, respectively.
NBC Sports spokeswoman Cameron Blanchard said that the network hadn't made contingency decisions on whether to move any of its pro hoops telecasts to TNT or TBS Superstation, in lieu of breaking war news.
Since NBC and Turner are not financial partners in the NBA deal, the broadcaster would take a direct financial hit if it moved its live telecasts to cable, according to sources.
Fox Sports also doesn't have hard rules governing if and when to switch a sports event from the Fox broadcast network to FX or Fox Sports Net.
Fox Sports spokesman Dan Bell said the sports department is in "constant communication" with the news department concerning breaking news issues, and would respond accordingly by switching to Fox News Channel in the event of a major news story.
