The NFL's blackout policy is examined by C.W. Nevius of
the S.F. CHRONICLE. Nevius: "Lots of ideas from the '60s
seemed like a good concept at the time ... [but] refusing to
allow potential customers to look at your product is
probably not the best way to sell tickets." He concludes:
"The blackout has become a self-perpetuating mistake ... you
are not only losing die-hard fans, you aren't building a fan
base, you aren't attracting young viewers and you aren't
helping your merchandising. And, let's get serious, you're
not attracting any more people to the stadium" (S.F.
CHRONICLE, 12/11).
SUSPICIOUS MINDS IN ATLANTA? In Atlanta, Prentis Rogers
notes "for the first time this decade, and possibly for the
first time ever," both the Falcons telecast and "Monday
Night Football" last week failed to get double digit
ratings. Sunday's Falcons-Saints drew local 9.7/19, and
Monday's Chiefs-Raiders earned a "surprising" 9.9. Rogers:
"There can be no doubt the apathy generated by the Falcons'
sorry season is having an dramatic impact on overall NFL
viewership locally" (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 12/11).
THE BIG PICTURE: ABC's Chiefs-Raiders drew a 13.8
national rating. Its "Monday Night Football" season average
is 16.4, down 4% from last year's 17.1 (USA TODAY, 12/11).