Bold predictions for the year 2008 in sports media:
- After disappointing ratings for Wild Card weekend, the NFL sees record ratings for playoff games involving the Patriots, Packers and Cowboys. The AFC Championship Game, between the Colts and Patriots, and the NFC Championship Game, between the Packers and Cowboys, average ratings of 29.1 and 27.6, respectively. The Super Bowl, between the Patriots and Cowboys, is the highest rated Super Bowl ever, with a 49.7 rating.
- Despite the Cavaliers and Heat both missing the playoffs, the NBA sees its ratings increase thanks to the Celtics and Lakers. The Celtics play the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals; the series ends in six games and is the highest rated Conference Final since 2002, averaging a 5.0. The Lakers, in the midst of a magical playoff run, play San Antonio in the Western Conference Finals, helping TNT to some of its best ever NBA playoff ratings. Unfortunately for the league, the Pistons and Spurs win each series, and advance to the NBA Finals — which average a record low 6.0 on ABC.
- Off of the momentum from the NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, NBC sees slight increases for its regular season NHL coverage. The Stanley Cup Finals between the Rangers and Red Wings see huge increases in the U.S.; the series averages a 2.8 rating on NBC, up 75% from a 1.6 average for Ducks/Senators.
- Baseball ratings take a dive on FOX, falling to a record low 1.9 during the regular season. Just when it looks as if baseball may be losing its popularity, however, big market teams save the playoffs. The Yankees play the Red Sox in the ALCS on TBS, and Game 7 of the series draws becomes the most viewed cable program ever (19.1 million viewers). Meanwhile, the Dodgers and Cubs play in a six-game NLCS, which averages a 7.9 rating on FOX. The World Series, between the Yankees and Dodgers (otherwise known as the Torre Bowl), averages a 14.1 rating — the highest since 1999.
- David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy make the MLS Cup. The game, which is moved into prime-time, draws a record high 2.1 rating.
- NASCAR ratings continue to slide. The Daytona 500 draws less than a 10.0 rating for the first time in eight years, and ratings on ABC plummet when fans become fed-up with new NASCAR Countdown analyst Miley Cyrus.
- The NHL signs a television contract with ESPN, which puts hockey back on ESPN for the first time since 2004. ESPN2 airs games on Saturday nights after bowling and NFL Live.
- Dan Patrick signs a deal to join NBC. Patrick becomes the third co-host of Football Night in America, which devolves into madness after Week 8 of the NFL season.
- Tony Kornheiser leaves Monday Night Football. He is replaced by Skip Bayless.
- The NFL Network gives up on its battle with cable operators, and sells the rights to the Thursday-Saturday package of NFL games to the highest bidder — Versus.
