The following lists Nielsen ratings for the MLB All-
Star Game over the past 20 years (THE DAILY).
YEAR NET RAT/SHR YEAR NET RAT/SHR
1998 NBC 13.3/25 1988 ABC 20.4/26
1997 Fox 11.8/21 1987 NBC 18.2/37
1996 NBC 13.2/23 1986 ABC 20.3/35
1995 ABC 13.9/25 1985 NBC 20.5/36
1994 NBC 15.7/28 1984 ABC 20.1/35
1993 CBS 15.6/28 1983 NBC 21.5/39
1992 CBS 14.9/27 1982 ABC 25.0/44
1991 CBS 17.4/32 1981 NBC 20.1/36
1990 CBS 16.2/33 1980 ABC 26.8/46
1989 NBC 18.2/33 1979 NBC 24.4/45
WHY THE DROP? In Boston, Howard Manly notes the ratings
decline for the All-Star Game: "More than anything else, the
dip in All-Star Game ratings has symbolized the decline in
the game's mass appeal." While MLB execs "blame cable for
the erosion of viewership," Manly writes MLB's "problem is
that it has not been able to move beyond its core audience,
and in today's television landscape it's all about the
casual fan, not the hardcore junky" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/13).
FENWAY TONIGHT'S CENTERPIECE: In N.Y., Richard Sandomir
previews tonight's broadcast on Fox and writes that the net
will give Fenway Park "a star turn." Cameras will be placed
atop the Green Monster, footage of Fenway "oddities" will be
"on tap" and 3-D graphics of the old and the proposed new
Fenway are planned (N.Y. TIMES, 7/13)....Foxsports.com will
debut an added feature on its Web site during tonight's game
called "All-Access," offering an "insider's view" of MLB
broadcasts on Fox (Foxsports.com)....MLB and SportsLine USA
launched the official '99 All-Star Game Web site, located at
www.majorleaguebaseball.com. The area offers exclusive live
game audio and video highlights (MLB).
HOME RUN DERBY: In Boston, Howard Manly calls ESPN's
coverage of last night's Home Run Derby "excellent." Manly:
"Everything from the graphics to the super slow-mo cameras
added drama to one of Major League Baseball's showcases.
Add Chris Berman to the technological polish, and last
night's broadcast highlighted ESPN's star power" (BOSTON
GLOBE, 7/13). FSN's Keith Olbermann, during his voiceover
of Home Run Derby highlights in which Berman's commentary
could be heard, said, "Who is that annoying voice in the
background?" ("Fox Sports Net Primetime," FSN, 7/12).
