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ABC decision to switch Sunday results in ratings plunge
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The decision by ABC to switch its coverage of the closing laps of the Phoenix race Sunday to ESPN2 not only didn’t gain many fans it also didn’t exactly result in a ratings bonanza.
The network made the decision to show the final 34 laps of the race on ESPN2 in the Eastern and Central time zones after the event ran late. ‘Not because we want to, but because we have to’ lamented race announcer Dr. Jerry Punch.
The initial overnight ratings show the network ratings plunge nearly 20% after the switch was made to America’s Funniest home Video’s.
Not only were fans confused by the move, but competitors as well.
“I can’t imagine being a race fan and being on the East Coast and trying to watch this, and then going to that,” third-place finisher Jamie McMurray said. “Obviously, if the president was going to talk, or maybe if something big had happened. But I can’t imagine ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’ would take priority over us. I mean, I like that show, but I’d rather watch the race, you know?”
Race winner Jimmie Johnson, who could have made racing history Sunday night, seemed dismayed.
“I thought it went dark and nobody could watch it,” he said. “So the fact that it was on another television channel was better. But to go to ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos?’ That one hurts. I thought we have a lot of characters. Why do we need that show?”
In a statement ABC said that its entertainment viewers and NASCAR fans were both well served by the programming change.
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