GANGS GOES TO USA
USA Network has acquired the basic cable rights to Miramax Films' "Gangs of New York." The Universal-owned cable channel will air the Oscar-nominated film as early as March 2006, following a September 2005 screening in the broadcast window. Miramax has not yet sold "Gangs" to a broadcast network. The purchase is USA's first made directly from Miramax, said to Jane Blaney, the network's senior vp program acquisitions. "I hope this is the beginning of a long relationship with them," referring to chief operating officer Rick Sands and vp television sales Gary Perchick, who negotiated the deal on behalf of Miramax.