ABC Sports reports that despite a USA TODAY report that more
people watched figure skating on NBC and CBS than ABC's college
football last weekend, final ratings indicate college football
earned a 7.7, while skating on NBC gained a 3.0 and on CBS a 3.6
(ABC Sports)....In Canada, CBC execs see "potential" for one of
the highest ratings ever for the Grey Cup between Calgary and
Baltimore. Last year's game was the "most watched event on
Canadian TV. Period" (Rob Longley, TORONTO SUN, 11/17). Many
fans may stay at home to watch the game with the weather forecast
of -6C in Regina, and a wind chill expected at -40C. In Toronto,
Jim Hunt criticizes the decision to show the game in the late
afternoon to get a higher TV audience. Hunt writes the "big"
money for the Grey Cup isn't in TV rights, estimated in the $1M
range, but in the live gate (TORONTO SUN, 11/17). ....There is a
"strong possibility" media packager Kevin Dunn will secure Red
Sox TV rights for WLVI. Dunn has made a five-year offer for an
average of $14M for 75 games a season. Dunn could then syndicate
the telecasts to various New England stations (Jim Baker, BOSTON
HERALD, 11/17).
