Both Fox and NBC, "concerned" with an 8% drop in NFL ratings
over last year, "have protested" rating numbers by A.C. Nielsen
Co. If the dip continues, "the NFL TV juggernaut could be slowed
as the league enters its critical TV contract negotiation year."
A.C. Nielsen VP /Communications Jack Loftus: "We have no plans to
adjust anything. ... We haven't seen anything wrong with our
collection and our processing methods. I think there are fewer
people watching football." NBC Sports President Dick Ebersol
said he has "very little faith" in Nielsen numbers as they don't
"know how to regionalize." Nielsen's Loftus: "When the numbers
were high, no one was questioning them." Grey Advertising's Jon
Mandel: "The NFL's not what it was, but nothing else is either"
(USA TODAY, 9/17).
NEWS & NOTES: CBS' Presidents Cup overnight rating of a
2.8/6 share was up 8% overall from '94. Sunday numbers were up
12% over '94 (THE DAILY)....In New York, Steve Zipay questions
the scheduling of MLB's postseason, notably putting Fox MLB games
against ABC's "Monday Night Football." On October 7, an NL
Divisional Series goes against Steelers-Chiefs and on October 14,
the fifth game of the NLCS would run into the 49ers-Packers
(NEWSDAY, 9/17).
