Full Throttle

After last weeks NEXTEL Cup event at Kansas the overnight TV ratings were reported as being lower than in ‘04. When the full report was compiled later in the week ratings were actually up by over 7% from the previous year.

This week after “Humpy’s Debacle” the overnights are showing a gain in viewership.

NBC’s broadcast of Saturday night’s UAW-GM Quality 500 from Lowe’s Motor Speedway earned a 4.8 overnight rating and a 9 share from Nielsen Media Research, Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Daily reports.

The 4.8 overnight rating represents a 4.3 percent increase over the 4.6 overnight figure in 2004, and The Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch reports that the 4.8 is highest overnight figure in the event’s history.

So what does it mean? Hell if I know. The only thing for sure is the overnights are based on a very small sampling of an already small number of families and their viewing habits. What I would be most interested in seeing is the hourly breakdown of the numbers. As the tires popped and the yellows flew just how many TV’s got turned to Oprah or some other nonsensical trash that passes for “entertainment.”

In related “idiot box” news:

The New York Times reports that ABC Sports and ESPN plan to soon announce a six-year deal to cover Nextel Cup Series races, replacing NBC and TNT.

Executives involved in the negotiations told The New York Times that the deal is estimated at $280 million a year and will last through 2012.

At $280 million annually, ESPN-ABC will pay 40 percent more than the $200 million NBC-TNT has paid annually since 2001 and will pay through next season.

That seems to confirm the earlier rumors. France got his early Chritsmas present. Note no mention of the Busch Series in the contract. That may confirm France’s desire to give the Series it’s “own identity” and own broadcast contract.

Hmmm a 40% jump in TV revenue. So that means in ‘07 you will be entertained by seeing more advertisments for [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/crock-pot.gif]these[/avatar] and when tired of that you can [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/dale-cell.jpg]make a call[/avatar] to see how Brian’s [avatar:http://cranialcavity.net/files/money.gif]green garden[/avatar] has grown.

Disclaimer: Let me know how it goes. On this side of the Pacific Ocean I don’t see any ads. In their place I get one of the in car cameras complete with audio of the driver/crew chief. Yes I know it’s a terrible cross to bare! But someone must do it!

UPDATE: Looks like I spoke too soon, albeit right on the mark. Scene Daily is reporting the Busch Series is also going to ABC/ESPN but will be broadcast on ESPN2. So Brian gets his second wish, Busch gets it’s “own identity” and network.

NEXTEL Cup, Nielson Ratings, Auto Racing, Sports