Networks Have Work To Do In Order To Recapture Ratings Magic From Last Year

Heading into the first weekend of the MLB playoffs, several baseball nuggets from our Sports Media section highlight today’s issue. First, the N.Y. POST reports that Comcast has joined discussions with the Mets and Time Warner about forming the Mets Network, an RSN that would be owned equally by the three entities . Meanwhile, Fox’ two playoff games have both seen sharp ratings declines, and while the network had the Vice Presidential debate as an excuse Tuesday night, Thursday night’s Dodgers-Cardinals game was off 28% from the comparable Twins-Yankees game last year . Speaking of Dodgers-Cardinals, that series has been the source of a very compelling story for the industry. The Dodgers and FSN Midwest are offering much different versions of the events in the visitors’ clubhouse Tuesday night that led to the network erasing the tape of the racially-charged spat between Dodgers RF Milton Bradley and L.A. Times reporter Jason Reid .

Print | Tags: Front Page

Lifestyles Of The Rich...
PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS floats McKay as possible successor to Tagliabue.

Repeat Offender
USOC again chastises President Bush for using “Olympics” in campaign message.

On The Run
’06 World Cup of Track & Field scrapped at The Home Depot Center.

Taste Test
ISC earnings announcement reveals lucrative extension with Pepsi through ’07.

Love It Live
Network counterparts not in agreement with Dick Ebersol’s decision to implement delay for NBC’s NASCAR telecasts.

Big T-Mac Attack
McGrady to unveil adidas’ laceless performance shoe in Shanghai next week.

League Of Their Own
McDonald’s to title NHLers’ barnstorming exhibitions.

Stadium Ceding
Tom Hicks meets with Jerry Jones to protect Rangers’ interests should Cowboys move to Arlington.

Ming Sting
Apple endorser Yao spotted using Dell laptop on flight.

Needful Things
Stephen King to co-author book on Red Sox’ ’04 season.

Queen Trumps King
LeBron pulled off GQ cover in favor of risque shot of Lindsay Lohan.

Print | Tags: Front Page

“For decades, television has been improving technology for the sole reason of bringing viewers at home an experience that is as close to being live at the stadium as humanly possible. We think that’s the way it should be.”

— Fox Sports Chair David Hill, on some networks using a delay for sporting events (N.Y. TIMES, 10/8).

Print | Tags: Front Page