Pay-Per-View Idea Snubbed So Far

O.J. Simpson’s first big test of his marketability may be foundering: Some cable TV operators and viewers are rebelling at the idea of a pay-per-view interview with him.

Major pay-TV distributor Request TV has refused to carry such a program.

“There’s been an outpouring of calls … imploring us not to do a (Simpson) pay-per-view event,” Request President Hugh Panero said Thursday.

Word that Simpson was seeking a multimillion-dollar pay-TV deal began circulating shortly after his acquittal Tuesday.

Robert Kardashian, Simpson’s friend, told ABC on Tuesday that it was being considered.

Viewer’s Choice, another major pay-per-view distributor, also appeared wary of an interview.

“It is hard to foresee the circumstances under which an O.J. interview would be an appropriate pay-per-view event,” company president Jim Heyworth said.