Media Notes

The Ft. Worth-Dallas market has moved past S.F. “into the No. 1 position in the increase of [NASCAR] Nextel Cup TV ratings for top-20 markets.” The broadcast ratings in Ft. Worth-Dallas this year are 5.8, up 18% from a 4.9 last year (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 10/13).

SHOULDER TO TIE ON: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Andy Bernstein notes MSG Network last Thursday debuted “Hockey Night in New York,” which features “an entire night of programming built around a live game.” Panasonic is sponsoring the show. The network will also launch a basketball version of the show in November that “is still shopping for a sponsor.” The Mets’ SportsNet New York is planning “Baseball Night in New York” next spring, which will air “every night it carries” a Mets game (SBJ, 10/10).