TV Ratings Up 89%

The Nielsen Media Company released their semi annual report of television ratings this past Thursday, showing a large spike in viewership for the Red Army. Beltway Sportsnet, the flagship station for the Red Army, earned on average a .12 rating with 2,301 viewers during the 12 games they broadcasted this season, up 89% from the 1,258 viewers they averaged last season. The largest rating was last Tuesday's tilt against Prestige Worldwide, which earned a .28 share, attracting a little over 5,000 viewers.

The two Red Army games (both matchups against the Shockers) that were shown on the the cable partner of Dulles Sportsplex Sports, Oxygen, earned the highest ratings of the season, amassing a combined 532,000 viewers for the two games.

Carol Hynes, the CEO of the Oxygen network, was very pleased the company's increase in numbers. "I think it's great for everyone, the fans, the networks, and the sport. Thanks to a lot of folks owning HD TV's now, the puck can be spotted a lot easier on the blue surface." When asked about the current feud between Oxygen and Direct TV, Hynes was quick to cite the numbers. "I think people will see that the O doesn't need Direct TV."

------------------------------------------

The Red Army has canceled practice this week to allow some players to rest up for the coming playoffs. I'll have a story later this weekend about some story lines for the postseason, as well as the full transcript of a sit down interview I had with the Captain about how it feels to be watching from the sidelines and whether a return is possible. Here is a brief taste of the interview:

Red Army Digest: What have you been doing to remain in shape so that if your shoulder does heal you can make it back into the lineup?

Captain Steve Hand: I've maintained a healthy diet by eating at Sub Connection on campus as much as I can. Normally I get the Turkey Club because that is ripe with protein.

RAD: What has been your favorite thing about this season?

CSH: Being able to drink Thursday nights instead of playing.


More to come later this week, stay tuned Comrades.