Overnights for Sunday's ALCS Game 5 on NBC: 13.2 rating and
a 21 share (Nielsen Sports Marketing). NBC got a a 10.4/19 on
Saturday and a 13.0/23 on Friday (NEWSDAY, 10/15)....The Red Sox
are expected to announce their '96 broadcast TV carrier next
week, although Jack Craig of the BOSTON GLOBE notes any delay
lessens the time needed to sell ads. In the running, after
Paramount's WSBK-TV opted to end its 21-year relationship: WABU,
WLVI and an independent packager. The Sox are seeking $12M/year
(BOSTON GLOBE, 10/15)....The Yankees have already rejected a
"low-ball" offer from WABC, which has one year left on its
Yankees radio contract. According to Bob Raissman, if the
Yankees and WABC can't come to terms, Westinghouse-owned WCBS and
WINS could step in, with WFAN a also a possibility after that
station's two-year deal with the Mets ends (N.Y. DAILY NEWS,
10/15)....NFL Dir of Communications Greg Aiello said the league
has expressed its "disappointment" with the message of TNT's NFL
promos ("Shortness of breath. Nausea. Disorientation. Memory
Loss. The fun begins at 8 p.m. Sunday Night.") -- especially in
light of recent QB injuries. TNT spokesperson Greg Hughes:
"The campaign has been modified. It's only going to be in effect
two more weeks, then you will not see it again" (NEWSDAY,
10/15)....The A's new ownership has fired longtime radio
announcer Lon Simmons. Simmons, 72, accepts the A's decision but
has no plans to retire as an announcer (S.F. CHRONICLE,
10/14)....ABC Sports has decided to prohibit college football
analyst Bob Griese from working any Michigan games. Griese's
son, Brian, is the Wolverines' No. 2 QB (CHICAGO TRIBUNE,
10/16)....CTV host Rob Black will serve as play-by-play man on
the network's coverage of the Raptors and Grizzlies (Toronto
GLOBE & MAIL, 10/14)....The Penguins opener, simulcast on KDKA-TV
and KBL, drew a combine 11.2 rating. KDKA's 10.8 was up from 7.8
for last year's post-lockout opener (Penguins)....TNT will air
"Women and Sport: The Power to Compete" -- the Women's Sports
Foundation's annual awards ceremony on October 21. Also, Nancy
Kerrigan stars in TNT's "Halloween on Ice" special on October 28
(TNT)....ESPN and ISES have announced plans for the '96 Andersen
World Championship of Golf -- 36.5 hours for regionals and semis.
The finals will be on ABC (ESPN).
