Tuesday, February 15, 2000
Griffey expected to boost ratings
BY SCOTT MacGREGOR
The Cincinnati Enquirer
The Ken Griffey Jr. effect has hit TV. Because of the Griffey trade, Fox Sports Net estimates its Reds' TV ratings will be 11/2 times higher than last year's — a 6 rating this year after finishing around 4 in 1999.
That means higher advertising rates, as the network sells time on its 85 Reds' broadcasts.
FSN already expected ratings to improve; they doubled last year as the Reds captured fan excitement, up to a 4 rating from a 2 in 1998. But the Griffey trade caused the network to boost its estimates.
“It definitely has heightened interest,” said FSN General Manager Steve Liverani.
Fox Sports Net released its Reds TV schedule Monday, with 85 games on cable this season, the same as last year.
FSN has exclusive local rights to the Reds, meaning no games will be on over-the-air networks — unless it's a Fox network game on Channel 19.
Highlights of the TV schedule include:
• Opening Day, April 3 vs. Milwaukee
• April 7-8, May 20-21, Aug. 13, Sept. 11-13 vs. the Cubs and Sammy Sosa
• May 5, June 26, 28, July 4-5, Sept. 29, Oct. 1 vs. the Cardinals and Mark McGwire
• June 9, 11, July 7, 9 vs. the Indians
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