Sports Media Digest- October 29, 2013

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Once Again SNF Beats World Series in Viewership

For the third time in four years Sunday Night Football (SNF) on NBC won the ratings and viewership war versus the World Series on Fox.

The final ratings numbers from Sunday give SNF and average rating of 9.8 compared to 9,4 for the World Series on Fox.  The Packers and Vikings on NBC averaged 16.9 million viewers while the Red Sox and Cardinals on Fox attracted 16.0 million viewers.

World Series Game Five Results in Slight Viewership Gains for Fox, Beats MNF

Fox Sports continues to see modest gains in viewership for the World Series.

Last night’s Game 5 registered a 8.9 rating with 14.4 million viewers, a 1% over Game 5 of the 2011 series, the last which lasted at least five games.

The World Series topped the ratings for Monday Night Football on ESPN, which registered a 6.7 rating and 10.7 million viewers.

Through five games, the 2013 World Series on Fox is averaging an 8.5/14 and 14.1 million viewers, +12% over last year’s World Series (7.6/12, 12.7 million viewers), and ranks as the highest-rated World Series since the New York Yankees met the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009.

Jon Barry Replaces Jack Ramsey as Lead NBA Game Analyst on ESPN Radio

ESPN announced today that Jon Barry has reached a multi-year agreement to serve as the lead analyst for NBA on ESPN Radio along side play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro. Barry replaces Dr. Jack Ramsey, who stepped down from the job at the completion of last season.  The new team gets to work tonight as the NBA season opens with the Miami Heat hosting the Chicago Bulls.

“I am excited to expand my role with ESPN to include games on ESPN Radio.” said Barry. “I know I can’t fill the shoes of Dr. Jack Ramsay, but I will do my best to inform and entertain our listeners.”

“As we enter ESPN Radio’s 19th season as the exclusive national broadcaster of the NBA, adding Jon Barry, with his NBA knowledge and pedigree, only solidifies our commitment to producing the best play- by play-content.” said Tim McCarthy, senior vice president, ESPN Audio play-by-play and talent planning,  ”The team of Kevin Calabro and Jon Barry will be very compelling.”

ESPN also announced that Mark Kestecher and P.J. Carlisimo will also work select NBA games for ESPN Radio this season.