- NBA ratings continue to increase from last year. TNT is reporting substantial ratings increases in several demographics, including “households (+11%) and all key demos including adults 18-34 (+22%), adults 18-49 (+19%), adults 25-54 (+21%), men 18-34 (+28%), men 18-49 (+21%) and men 25-54 (+22%).”
- Is America over Sharapova? Ratings for the women’s final at the Australian Open were down 25% from last year. Maria Sharapova‘s victory over Ana Ivanovic drew a 1.5 overnight, compared to the 1.9 Sharapova/Serena Williams drew last year.
- The State of the Union address was no match for NFL Football. The final SOTU address of George W. Bush‘s presidency drew a combined 37.5 million viewers across over nine outlets; the 37.5 million viewers falls behind three NFL playoff games — Giants/Packers, Chargers/Patriots and Giants/Cowboys.
WSJ: Rupert Murdoch spoke to White House about NFL streaming deals
Fox Corporation's campaign against the NFL's streaming deals reportedly reached the highest levels of the company and the government.
