IMPROVING PISTONS HEAT UP MOTOR CITY RATINGS WARS

          The Pistons' ratings increase in Detroit is a "small
     step back to their TV glory days," while the Red Wings'
     viewership increases have been "impressively consistent,"
     according to Steve Crowe in the DETROIT FREE PRESS.  While
     the Pistons averaged a 6.2 rating/10 share for their 41
     regular season games on UPN-TV, up more than 40% from last
     season, it "still wasn't enough to catch" the Red Wings, who
     drew a 7.9/13 for 34 telecasts on UPN-TV.  The Red Wings'
     numbers were up eight percent over last season's 7.3/12.  On
     PASS, 41 Wings games averaged a 3.1/5, up from 2.9/5 last
     year, while the Pistons' 34 games on PASS had a 1.0/2 going
     in to April, up from last season's 0.6/1 (FREE PRESS, 4/18).
          NO BULL: The Red Wings 2-0 loss to St. Louis on
     Wednesday drew a 15.4/23 on UPN-TV, making it the market's
     top-rated primetime show (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/18).