Media Notes

Vikings Preseason Game Outpaces Twins-White Sox Game In Ratings

ESPN said it was the nation’s largest cable net with 92,285,000 HHs for the month of September, taking the top spot from the Discovery Channel (92,283,000). The last time ESPN was the largest network was May ’03 (ESPN)....Friday’s Ravens-Vikings preseason game on Minneapolis’ KSTP-ABC generated a 12.8 rating locally, compared to an 8.9 for FSN North’s coverage of Twins-White Sox. With one ratings point equaling 16,655 HHs, the difference means 64,955 more HHs watched the Vikings game (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 8/29).

NIKE+IPOD REVIEW: In DC, Rob Pegoraro reviewed the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, and wrote the option “isn’t likely to persuade somebody who has held off on buying an iPod to get one now. But for a runner used to jogging with an iPod-provided soundtrack, this is a fascinating, useful extra at minimal cost.” Pegoraro: “The iPod is becoming the Lego of consumer electronics: The fun starts when you connect other things to it” (WASHINGTON POST, 8/27).

PEOPLE & PERSONALITIES: In Toronto, William Houston reports Rogers Sportsnet told Jim Van Horne last week that he would “lose his Friday and Saturday spots as anchor of the dinner-hour newscast,” effective at the end of September. Van Horne will now be “off the air completely, except for doing network voiceovers.” Van Horne, “who is in his mid-50s, appears to be a casualty of Sportsnet’s pursuit of a younger audience.” His contract runs through February ’07, but Houston writes, “Don’t be surprised if Van Horne ... leaves before the deal is up” (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 8/29)....The Seattle Times’ Bob Finnigan retired Sunday after 25 seasons as the paper’s Mariners beat writer (SEATTLE TIMES, 8/27).