News and notes from the NBA & NHL playoffs, both of which
start their conference finals this weekend.
RATINGS GALORE: NBC reports last weekend's five-telecast
average of a 8.1 rating and a 23 share was the highest rating for
the third weekend of the NBA playoffs since '81. The rating also
was an improvement over the 7.1 rating for the same time last
year. NBC's cumulative average for three weekends of coverage is
a 7.1/20 for 14 telecasts -- the highest since '77 (NBC). In
Atlanta, Prentis Rogers predicts "eye-popping numbers" for the
Bulls-Magic series (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 5/17).
HOCKEY ON THE RISE: Fox reports that NHL ratings continue
to rise. Last Sunday's 2.6/7 is a new high, surpassing the 2.5
of the weekend before and 63% better than a 1.6/5 in the same
weekend in '95. After four weeks, Stanley Cup playoffs on Fox
are averaging a 2.4/7, 26% better than last year's 1.9/5 (Fox
Sports).
RADIO FREE NORTH AMERICA: NHL Radio will present the
Conference and Stanley Cup Finals in 150 markets in North America
-- 100 in the U.S. via the Westwood One Radio Network, and 50 in
Canada via TSN Radio. Sam Rosen and Gary Green will handle the
Cup Finals as well as the Eastern Finals, while Bob Miller and Ed
Olczyk will handle the Western Conference finals (NHL Radio).
THE LOTTO SHOW, WITH DAVE AND RUSS: The NBA will have a new
format for its draft lottery, to be aired at halftime of Sunday's
Bulls-Magic. NBC's Bob Costas hosts the show from NBA
Entertainment studios in Secaucus, NJ. He will be joined by NBA
Commissioner David Stern, while Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik
reveals the draft positions of the teams. In Milwaukee, Bob
Wolfley notes, "In past lottery shows, Stern has served in the
Vanna White role." NBA spokesperson Chris Brienza said they
decided to have "some fun with the format" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
SENTINEL, 5/17). Costas said he plans to ask Stern about the
trend of high schoolers and underclassmen declaring early during
coverage of the lottery (Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY, 5/17).
STRIKING POSSIBILITY: Key CBC unions are set to strike at
midnight next Thursday, which could fall during Game 3 of the
Western Finals. While the work stoppage would affect the NHL
playoffs -- three of the networks HNIC announcers are members of
the unions involved -- it "could be much more damaging" to CBC's
preparations for coverage of the Atlanta Games (TORONTO STAR,
5/17).
