`Sour grapes’

In your Feb. 22 p. 1 story ‘NetStar plot thickens,’ you made several statements that require clarification.

espn has stated repeatedly on the public record that its original deal with CanWest was exactly the same deal it concluded with ctv in every respect, except for the price.

Assertions to the contrary by unnamed individuals close to the CanWest/espn negotiations are nothing more than sour grapes.

Fears about espn control over NetStar are totally unfounded. espn had 32% before – they will have 32% after. NetStar control stays in Canadian hands. Program control stays in Canadian hands.

Tom Curzon,

VP corporate communications, CTV,

Toronto