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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

AFL Rating Ties Best Ever

February 6, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - Feb. 6, 2003 - NBC Sports' inaugural coverage of the Arena Football League on Sunday, Feb. 2 debuted with a 1.6 national rating/4 share, tying the ArenaBowl XII telecast (Aug. 23, 1998) for the highest AFL rating in its 17-year history, according to Nielsen Media Research.

An estimated 7.9 million people watched all or part of the regionalized coverage, according to Nielsen Media Research and the 1.6 rating represents a 100 percent increase over ABC's .8/2 for the AFL's Championship game, ArenaBowl XVI (3-6 p.m. ET on 8/18/02) - the last time the league was featured on network television. ABC's NHL All-Star Game coverage earned a 1.7/4 (2:30 - 5:30 p.m. ET).

Additionally, NBC's AFL broadcasts (3:03 - 5:46 p.m. ET) built throughout the afternoon to a 1.9/4 peak in the final 16 minutes of the game coverage.

"We're pleased with our start, but this is a marathon not a sprint," said Ken Schanzer, NBC Sports President. "We're particularly delighted that our audience increased throughout the afternoon and to be so close to an event of the stature of the NHL All-Star Game is a great place for us to be.

"I've done basketball games that weren't as fast paced as [the AFL]," said Hammond

With Week 1 under his belt, lead play-by-play announcer Hammond reflected on calling his first AFL game last Sunday in Dallas.

"You can prepare all you want. You can think about it all you want, but until you get right in the middle of it you don't realize how fast it all is. Even having done the practice games and some of those audition games, when you're right in the middle of it, doing it for real you realize just how fast-paced it is. I've done some basketball games that weren't as fast paced as [the AFL]. It was like fast break basketball on every possession. It pointed out how important stops were and that in an offensive game, defense can play a really crucial part.

Tampa Bay at Orlando / Chicago at Dallas / San Jose at Los Angeles / Las Vegas at Arizona

Week 2 of the AFL on NBC continues Sunday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m. ET with regional coverage of four games:

Tampa Bay (1-0) at Orlando (1-0): Separated by 85 miles of highway and dubbed the "War on I-4," the intense rivalry between Tampa Bay and Orlando dates to their first meeting in 1991. In 24 regular seasons meetings, four playoffs and two ArenaBowls, the scoring-differential is only five points. Orlando is lead by QB Jay Gruden, fresh off a Super Bowl victory as an assistant coach to older brother Jon Gruden. Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Pat Haden (analyst) and Lewis Johnson (reporting) on the broadcast.

Chicago (0-1) at Dallas (1-0): This budding Central Division rivalry will pit two of the AFL's "young guns" in what has all the makings of an offensive shootout. Chicago QB Billy Dicken will have OS Antonio Chatman and WR/DB Dameon Porter as his main targets, while Dallas QB Jim Kubiak has the sophomore duo of Dialleo Burks and Andy McCullough to aim for. Mike Breen (play-by-play), Ray Bentley (analyst), Marty Snider (reporter) handle the broadcast duties.

San Jose (1-0) at Los Angeles (1-0) -- This match-up could be an early preview for the Western Division crown. Both San Jose and Los Angeles picked up victories in Week 1, but the game could have divisional implications for later in the season. The defending Champion SaberCats have a healthy Mark Grieb (QB) to guide their potent offense. Dan Hicks (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst) have the telecast.

Las Vegas (0-1) at Arizona (0-1)-- Las Vegas and Arizona are two playoff teams from 2002 hoping to avoid an 0-2 start. Arizona QB Chris Hixson will take the reigns from the injured Sherdrick Bonner with hopes of getting the ArenaBowl XVI finalist into the win column. Eli Gold (play-by-play) and John Riggins (analyst) have the call.

Studio Analyst Parker: "I like being the voice of reason.

"I like being the voice of reason," said Glenn Parker, AFL on NBC Studio Show analyst. It's fun with Michael because he is so over the top that I get a chance to have a little fun with him and Al is so good at keeping things together. I think the three of us, once we get started, are going to have a great show.

The AFL on NBC Studio Show, a TelePrompTer-free zone, hosted by Al Trautwig with analysts Michael Irvin and Parker will include features and live interviews with Orlando quarterback Jay Gruden, as well as with Dallas quarterback Jim Kubiak. The weekly Studio Show will feature pre-game analysis and features, half-time games updates from around the league, as well as the latest NFL news, and post-game wrap interviews.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from February 6, 2003


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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