Since January, Comcast SportsNet (CSN) has "notched
better ratings" in Philadelphia than ESPN, according to Mike
Bruton of the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. ESPN's ratings topped
CSN during the start-up's first two months on the air last
November and December. But in '98, CSN narrowed the gap and
has rated higher than ESPN each month. The networks'
ratings between the hours of 7:00-11:00pm ET have averaged
the following: January: CSN averaged a 1.04; ESPN a 0.56;
February: CSN 0.68, ESPN's 0.47; March: CSN 1.48, ESPN 0.73,
April CSN 1.12, ESPN 1.01; May: CSN 1.53, ESPN 1.29.
Through June 23, CSN averaged a 1.53 to ESPN's 1.29. CSN
President Jack Williams: "ESPN was way up there. When
football went away, they dropped way back, but on the other
hand, we continued to climb and have continued all the way
through. That's extremely encouraging" (PHILA. INQUIRER,
6/26). Dana Pennett of the BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES wrote
that CSN "has snared a spot in Philly sports fans' living
rooms and doesn't appear to be letting go." Since its
inception, CSN's average rating is a 1.08 to ESPN's 0.97 --
which measures out to approximately 28,000 viewers for CSN
and 25,000 for ESPN. While CSN's Williams said that the net
"doesn't have any major changes planned," CSN will "tweak"
its news segments and produce more specials, including one
on Eagles' training camp (BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES, 6/24).
ROOT FOR THE HOME TEAM? The INQUIRER's Bruton writes,
"Though SportsNet could be a little tougher on its own
teams, the network did show some teeth in its first seven
months." The "closest SportsNet came to grilling one of its
own" was a segment in which Flyers GM Bobby Clarke was asked
some "piercing questions" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 6/26). In
Miami, Barry Jackson examines possible conflicts on interest
among three WQAM sports talk show hosts, while also serving
on the Marlins' radio announcing team. When asked whether
Marlins management "should be blamed for the club's
predicament" and poor season, WQAM's Jon Sciambi said, "I
better not answer that." Sciambi, off the air: "It's
difficult in spots. When things are going badly and you
stick up for the team, listeners accuse you of being a
shill" (Barry Jackson, MIAMI HERALD, 6/26).
