In N.Y., Zach Braziller wrote the "frosty relationship between the NFL and ESPN has considerably warmed," noting the deal to put two hours of the NFL Combine on ABC. Once "bitter," the two are now "back in business." ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro has "made it a priority to repair the fractured relationship" since taking over last March. The issues between the league and the net "seem to have been cleared up for now" (N.Y. POST, 2/13).
HAPPY BLUE PERIOD : In St. Louis, Dan Caesar notes the Blues have "surged this month, and television viewers are leaping on the bandwagon." In the their five games this month on FS Midwest, the Blues drew a 3.7 rating in the market, up over the 3.3 average this season. For the 5-4 overtime win over the Predators on Sunday, which was televised by NBC, the Blues "generated a 7.8 rating locally" on KSDK-NBC, the team's "best performance this season." However, Blues ratings this season as a whole are down 19% from '17-18. Despite the drop, the Blues "rank No. 4 among U.S.-based NHL teams and are on pace to finish in the top five for the sixth straight year" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 2/15).
BLASTING OFF AGAIN: In Houston, David Barron noted Rockets games on AT&T SportsNet Southwest are averaging a 2.2 rating at the All-Star break, up 38% from a 1.6 last season at this point. The team's "international cachet continues, too, with viewership up" 17% for international NBA League Pass viewing (HOUSTONCHRONICLE.com, 2/14).
