The four major broadcast networks "are scrambling" to match
last year's record sales in the upfront ad market, according to
Stuart Elliott of the N.Y. TIMES. Media buyers note the
networks' overall share of the prime-time audience is at an "all-
time low." Betsy Frank, Exec VP at Zenith Media Worldwide: "The
only part of the viewing pie that's growing is cable" (N.Y.
TIMES, 5/22)....SportsChannel New York is undergoing "sweeping"
programming and production changes, including: The debut of
"SportsChannel Lite" (edited versions of Mets, Nets, Devils and
Islanders games); staging pre- and post-game shows on-site; and
airing regularly scheduled "themed" programming blocks (GOULD
MEDIA, 5/21)....In addition to Detroit, Denver was another market
in which the NHL topped the NBA last Sunday. Ascent
Entertainment reports the Avalanche-Red Wings on Fox received a
7.4 rating and a 20 share vs. a 6.6/18 for the Bulls-Magic and a
7.2/20 for the Rockies (THE DAILY)....Last week's Game 7 between
the Red Wings and Blues drew 2.472 million viewers on CBC,
rivaling the 2.478 million for Leafs-Blues' opening round Game 7
(GLOBE & MAIL, 5/22).
