Inside the Ratings Numbers; RAW bodyslams NITRO
In the wake of media backlash at the WWF for the direction and content of
their programs, "Raw Is War" shattered its all time ratings record. "Raw"
earned a monstrous 6.32 composite, compared to a 4.32 posted by WCW's
"Nitro." It marked the seventeenth consecutive head to head victory for the USA
Network program.
The last victory for "Nitro" takes you back to October 26th of last year when WCW
beat the WWF show, 5.06 to 4.48. In 1998, "Raw" won the head to head series, 25 to
19 weeks, with both shows posting a 4.22 rating on May 25th. Even though "Raw" won
more weeks, "Nitro" still had the higher average for the year, winning by a slim 4.43 to
4.35 margin.
If you are wondering why the Monday Night Wars never equals fifty two weeks
a year, you must remember the USA Network pre-empts "Raw" each year for the
Westminster Dog Show and the U.S. Tennis Open. "Nitro" is pre-empted up
to four weeks a year by the NBA playoffs, and occasional mini series on TNT.
After 83 consecutive victories head to head for "Nitro," the teased “Stone Cold”
Steve Austin-Vince McMahon match back on April 13, 1998, propelled "Raw" to a
slim 4.63 to 4.34 win.
Thus far in 1999, "Raw" has obviously won every week averaging a 5.72,
compared to a 4.67. The last five point rating posted by "Nitro" was back on
February 8th, when "Raw" was pre-empted for the Westminster Dog Show, earning
a 5.67 composite. The unopposed rating is below "Raw's" average rating in head to
head competition.
The five week trial, turned weekly program "Sunday Night Heat" continues to
post some sizzling ratings. The show earned its highest rating of 4.9 twice already in
1999.
"Halftime Heat" which aired during halftime of the Superbowl earned a strong 6.6 rating
for the fifteen minute segment featuring Mankind using a forklift to pin The Rock for the
WWF Championship.
TBS's "Thunder" program is averaging 3.83 in 1999, up from its 3.66 1998 average. The
improved average can be attributed to the January 7th show which did a 4.27 rating, three
days after Kevin Nash laid down to allow Hogan to regain the WCW title, and reunite
the New World Order. The January 7th rating was the highest rating "Thunder" achieved
since the March 26, 1998 show, which posted a 4.4 rating.
Speaking of strong ratings, the February 26th episode of "Nash Bridges," featuring an
appearance by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin as undercover cop Jake Cage, did a 9.8 rating,
which is not the all time high for the show, but it was up over two ratings points from the
previous week, and it won its timeslot beating out "20/20," which rarely happens.
Based on the success of the episode featuring Steve Austin, television executives are
considering a spin off of “Nash Bridges” called “Jake Cage,” starring Austin in the lead
role.
The episode of "That 70s Show" featuring WWF Champion The Rock and Ken Shamrock
did an 8.5 rating which is the all-time record for the show.
More television appearances by WWF Superstars will continue this weekend. The Rock guest
stars on “The Net,” Saturday night on the USA Network. The Undertaker will be featured on
“Polgergeist: The Legacy,” following “Sunday Night Heat.”
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