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Apparently NOT "The Best Damn Sports Show On TV!"

In this week's Houston Business Journal Greg Barr reports, not surprisingly:

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - 4:23 PM CDT
Astros TV ratings striking out
Houston Business Journal - by Greg Barr
  
The Houston Astros struggles on the baseball diamond are being reflected in declining TV ratings.

According to an analysis of Nielsen Media Research viewership data by the SportsBusiness Journal, Fox SportsNet Southwest, which broadcasts Astros games on a regional basis, has seen a 26 percent ratings decline -- down about 69,000 households -- through the first half of the 2008 season to record a 3.36 share.

That's the fourth-highest ratings decline across Major League Baseball, with only the Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals turning in worse numbers for regional games.

Heading into this week's All-Star break, the Astros were in last place in the National League's Central Division.

Of course, winning certainly helps. The teams with the biggest TV ratings boosts are the resurgent Chicago Cubs, holding down top spot in the NL Central Division, and the Tampa Bay Rays, fighting for first place in the American League East Division with the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox. The Cubs had a 51 percent ratings gain in the first half, while Tampa enjoyed a 31 percent boost.

Overall through the first half of the season, national network broadcasts on Fox and ESPN are down across the board, but television executives expect the numbers to improve in the second half when more Red Sox and New York Yankees games are tossed into the mix.

0 recs  |  Comment 4 comments

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It's not just the losing

It’s the way they lose. Often the bats go totally dead after the second inning. Many times, they have a small lead that disappears in the late innings. You always worry about the pitching. The end of the lineup is three straight outs. This is just not good baseball, so the audience is reduced to the die-hard fans and personality cultists (like the pumas and cabaleros).

In my part of the world, I also get Rangers games and more often than not, they are my choice. But also FSSW, so the Astro ratings may be even lower.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Jul 18, 2008 10:15 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Caradoc has got it

The Astros play bad baseball and it is hard to watch.
Of course I fall into the die-hard group – as I assume many here do – so I sit and watch and suffer.

My friends suggested I see someone about my baseball problem. So I made an appointment but just ended up helping the doctor with his fantasy team.

by TBurford on Jul 18, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's pretty sad when

the most entertaining thing about the Astros games are the announcers

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Jul 18, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

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