Redskins Sweep Local TV Ratings
August 16, 2004
The Washington Redskins' first home game of the 2004 NFL preseason swept the DC-area television ratings, even besting the telecast of the Olympic Games, continuing the team's long-standing tenure as the sports fans' program of choice, posting an overnight 18.2 rating at its peak.
Since head coach Joe Gibbs' return to the Redskins in January, he has consistently praised the devotion and dedication of the fans. And the fans have returned his appreciation, turning out by the thousands at training camp, braving the elements to attend Saturday's game and tuning in en masse for the telecast of the game.
Produced by Comcast SportsNet and broadcast by W*USA 9 and Comcast SportsNet HDTV, Saturday's 8 p.m. kickoff faced strong, head-to-head competition from the first evening of primetime Olympic action.
Proving interest in the team and Gibbs remains at a peak, the game achieved an average 14.7 household rating (8-11 p.m.) and a 23 share for W*USA 9, outperforming the Olympics by a full 3.4 ratings points. At its peak, the Redskins game scored an 18.2 rating, while the Olympics topped out at 14.2.
Last season's opening preseason game, coincidentally also against the Carolina Panthers, although a solid 11.9 household rating, was 24 percent below this year's inaugural home contest.
"Coach Gibbs has certainly heightened interest in our games, which only enhances the ratings we've posted at the top of the charts season after season," said Mike Stevens, Redskins senior vice president of marketing.
W*USA 9 and Comcast SportsNet will broadcast two of the three remaining preseason games--this Saturday night's pairing with the Miami Dolphins and the Sept. 3 preseason finale versus the Atlanta Falcons. The Friday, Aug. 27, game at St. Louis will be broadcast nationally by FOX.
http://www.redskins.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=2965
actually, he broke even IMO, when he got gibbs. snyder is on a level playing field as far as i'm concerned... as of right now.