ABC is expected to emerge as the top-rated broadcast network
in prime time when the '94-95 season ends Sunday night, "but
overall, the three-network share of the TV audience dropped
significantly in the period." The three major networks combined
-- ABC, NBC and CBS -- drew just 57% of the TV-viewing audience
this season, down significantly from 61% last season. Basic
cable services "benefited most from" the networks' loss. David
Poltrack, CBS Exec VP in charge of ratings, blames the decline on
the lack of big events, such as the Olympics and the World
Series. CBS fared the worst among, down 21% from last year. In
fact, among adults 18-49, CBS is expected to finish a close
fourth behind Fox in ratings. Fox's ratings growth is the best
for that network since it expanded its prime-time schedule to
seven nights (Elizabeth Jensen, WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/14).
ON THE HEELS OF THAT: Cap Cities/ABC, GE and News Corp.,
"boosted by a buoyant advertising market, expect to report
strong" 1st quarter earnings gains. CBS posted a 68% decline in
its 1stQ net income (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 4/14).
