Fox will broadcast the NFL Europe's World Bowl '98
between the Rhein Fire and Frankfurt Galaxy on June 14 live
from Frankfurt (Fox Sports). BRANDWEEK's Terry Lefton
reports that German brewer Holsten has signed "a seven-
figure deal" to be presenting sponsor for the World Bowl.
Holsten receives uniform patches, signage, co-sponsorship of
the televised halftime show and an option for exclusive
leaguewide category rights next year (BRANDWEEK, 6/8 issue).
RATINGS: USA Network's French Open ratings increased
25% to a .5 compared to a .4 in '97. Total viewers were up
54%, with an average of 453,000 watching each day. USA also
was up 140% among men 18-49 and 35% for women 18-49 (USA
Sports). The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Scott Hettrick examines
primetime basic and pay cable ratings for the period from
June 2, 1997 to May 24, 1998. Football on TNT and ESPN had
seven of the top 10 programs, nine of the top 15 and 11 of
the top 20. The NBA on TNT represented two of the top 30
programs (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 6/10).
OTHER NOTES: "Golf 2000" with Peter Jacobson has been
cleared in more than 85% of the country and debuts this
month. The weekly half-hour show is being syndicated by
T.J. Sports (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 6/8)....FSN COO Tracy
Dolgin said FSN's ad revenue is "dramatically growing," but
he declined to offer a specific percentage (ELECTRONIC
MEDIA, 6/8)....In Baltimore, Milton Kent offers his personal
ranking and opinion on ESPN's "SportsCenter," CNN's "Sports
Tonight" and FSN's "Fox Sports News." He writes that each
show has "individual flourishes and touches that attract
millions of viewers on a nightly basis" (SUN, 6/10).
