PLAYOFF NOTES: "NBA ON NBC" LIVES FOR ANOTHER DAY

     By forcing a Game 5 of the NBA Finals, the Sonics also
ensured NBC will get another game's worth of advertising revenue
(Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY, 6/13).  In Chicago, Michael Hirsley
notes that last night's broadcast from Seattle was geared toward
a Bulls sweep with a halftime discussion with Larry Bird and
Magic Johnson on where the Bulls stand among other great teams
(CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 6/13).      O SAY, CAN YOU HEAR:  In the wake
of recent criticism for showing ads during the playing of the
national anthem, NBC stayed at the arena last night for Harry
Connick Jr.'s version of the Star Spangled Banner ("NBA on NBC,"
6/12).
     FINAL FOX NUMBERS:  Fox's two telecasts of the Stanley Cup
Finals averaged a 3.6 rating and a 7 share, a 6% improvement over
last year's 3.4/6.  Fox reports slight growth (between .1 and .4)
in three key demographic categories -- Men 18-34, Men 18-49 and
Men 25-54 (Fox).