Delayed telecasts draw well for K5

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Saturday Night Delayed was more popular than "Saturday Night Live" during the television sweeps period last month.

According to Nielsen figures, K5's same-night delayed telecasts of University of Hawai'i home football games in November averaged an 11 household rating and 42 audience share.

Each rating point represents about 4,000 households, or 1 percent of Hawai'i's 401,000 households, meaning about 44,000 Island households were tuned to the Warriors' victories over San Jose State Nov. 2 and Cincinnati Nov. 23.

Using the formula of 2.5 viewers per household, about 110,000 Island television viewers watched those two games.

The UH telecasts easily won their time slot, outdrawing runner-up "Saturday Night Live," which earned a 4 rating.

The audience share showed that of all of the television sets in use during that time span, 42 percent were tuned to the UH games. Each delayed telecast started at 10 p.m., four hours after the actual kickoff at Aloha Stadium.

UH coach June Jones yesterday said he was not surprised by the Warriors' wide-spread appeal. But he added, "I have my opinion on same-day coverage of our games."

Jones has said he believed attendance has been impacted by offering live telecasts of UH football games on a pay-per-view basis and then airing delayed telecasts for free. He said the Warriors are the only football program in the country to offer so many options to fans.

"We have to make sure we make good decisions and maximize the revenues because it's the only way we have an opportunity to survive (financially)," he said.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier said he is studying the matter, and will release his findings later.

But, he said, the football ratings were "pretty phenomenal, when you consider the large number attending the games coupled with the opportunity to purchase (a live telecast) as well. It tells you about the popularity of the sport."

K5's Saturday morning live telecast of UH's road game against Rice in Houston Nov. 16 earned a 15 rating and 45 share.

In comparison, the sitcom "Friends" averaged a 14 rating in Hawai'i in November, and "ER" earned a 13 rating. "CSI" is Hawai'i's rating leader, averaging a 22.

"I think the household ratings (for UH football) were outstanding," said Dan Schmidt, K5's program director. "It shows the University of Hawai'i is a powerful draw. When the team is doing well, people will watch."

Health report: Jones said he does not expect strong safety Hyrum Peters to play in tomorrow's ConAgra Foods Hawai'i Bowl.

Peters, a fourth-year junior, is recovering from a sprained left knee. Yesterday, he practiced for the second consecutive day, but later was treated with ice packs.

Still, defensive coordinator Kevin Lempa has left open the slight possibility that Peters might be available to play. "I have to talk to him," Lempa said, adding Peters will be evaluated after today's closed practice.

If Peters cannot play, Leonard Peters (no relation) will start at free safety and David Gilmore will open at strong safety.

Tulane, UH's opponent tomorrow, has not reported any serious injuries.