Fox reports its coverage of Game Five of the World Series
Thursday night drew a preliminary overnight rating of 21.2/32 in
34 overnight markets. That is the highest rated Game Five since
'91 and gives Fox is fifth nightly prime-time victory (Fox). Fox
will get an extra $15M a game in ad sales for Games Six and
Seven, "giving it a break-even chance" on its $120M annual rights
fee (Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY, 10/25). In New York, Steve Zipay
notes it now appears the '96 World Series "will not be the lowest
rated in history" and it seems Fox will win the week in network
ratings for the first time (NEWSDAY, 10/25).
REVIEWS: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth notes the difference in
mediums of World Series coverage between Fox and CBS Radio.
Noting Fox's efforts to "bring baseball into the future" with its
technology devices and CBS Radio reminding viewers of MLB's
history, Hoffarth writes, "Neither medium quite captures
baseball's present nebulous state. ... No matter how the media
tries to package it, something's not quite right here" (L.A.
DAILY NEWS, 10/25). In Tampa, Carter Gaddis praises Joe Buck's
work in the booth, adding his "presence almost makes us forget
there are at least two other men we'd rather see in his position
-- Bob Costas and Al Michaels" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 10/25). In New
York, Phil Mushnick notes the late start to the games, which
loses the young audience. Mushnick: "The games must start
earlier and be played faster." For an earlier start, "What's the
worst that could happen? ... Kids could watch the World Series?"
(N.Y. POST, 10/26). Fox's Buck, during Game Five: "The Super Bowl
has become so corporate. Stanley Cup Final has become so
corporate. You see so few kids in the stands at those events,
but we've had a lot of fun shots of kids in this series already
(Fox, 10/24).
WILL HE MAKE IT THERE? Braves Owner Ted Turner: "It'll be
fun to go back to New York. I love it up there" (HOUSTON
CHRONICLE, 10/25)....The MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL's Tom
Haudricourt notes "several visiting writers were stunned" that
Hank Aaron did not have a presence during the last game at Fulton
County Stadium (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 10/25). The TAMPA
TRIBUNE's Bill Chastain also notes Aaron nor Dale Murphy had a
role in Fulton County's closing. NAPBL President Mike Moore, USA
Baseball Chair Richard Case and Little League CEO Creighton Hale
threw out the first ball last night (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 10/25).
SUPER SUNDAY: If the Braves win Game Six Saturday, Fox's
Sunday would look like this: 49ers-Oilers to 45% of the U.S. at
1:00pm ET; Cowboys-Dolphins to 93% of the U.S. at 4:00pm ET, with
Game Seven immediately following (Fox).
LOCAL FLAVOR: Fox O&O WNYW-TV is reportedly doubling its
normal unit rates of $3,500-4,500 for their late newscast this
week. Station execs hope to bring in up to $250,000 per late
newcasts. The N.Y. POST is increasing its press run by 50,000
papers for each day of the Series. In all the Post expects to
take in an additional $25,000 in revenue each day (Michael
Freeman, MEDIAWEEK, 10/21 issue).
