ESPN "is disputing" a S.F. Examiner report which cited
TV ratings in the Bay Area showing FSN's "Primetime" beating
ESPN's "SportsCenter" in ratings for the 10:00-11:00pm PT
hour, according to Michelle Smith of the S.F. EXAMINER (See
THE DAILY, 8/9). Ratings "provided" by Fox's L.A.-based
research department "showed 'Fox Sports News' doubling the
'SportsCenter'" rating since April. But Smith wrote that
numbers provided "directly" by Nielsen "paint a different
picture." Nielsen shows the average rating for FSN's
"Primetime" in the 10:00-11:00pm PT time slot for the period
July 8-August 4 was a .4, and during the same period, ESPN
earned a .6. Fox's research department "is sticking to its
numbers" (S.F. EXAMINER, 8/13).
PICK OF THE WEEK: BRILL'S CONTENT lists ESPN's
"SportsCenter" as one of its top "TV Picks" and writes that
the show's hosts "avoid the grating extremes of say, Fox
Sports Net's Van Earl Wright." ESPN Classic's Vince Doria:
"I think the best kind of humor on these shows is
understated, if it works." BRILL'S CONTENT: "ESPN's top
team of Dan Patrick and Kenny Mayne pulls it off better than
any other tandem" (BRILL'S CONTENT, 9/99 issue).
