ABC 7 off to decent start with Cubs (in the ratings)

Wednesday’s game scores in the ratings – despite some production bumps in the road

History was made on Wednesday when ABC-owned WLS-TV broadcast its first Chicago Cubs game since 1949 (when it was known as WENR, pre-ABC’s merger with United Paramount Theaters.)

And it paid off handsomely in the ratings, too: Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals drew a 4 live-plus-same day overnight household rating, according to Chicago Business Journal. It was double what ABC 7’s daytime schedule usually gets in the 1-4 p.m. timeframe.

ABC 7’s sports anchors Mark Giangreco and Jim Rose hosted the pre-game show; and Cheryl Scott handled the weather report.

While ABC 7 used font similar to what ESPN uses, it did not use its graphics package. ESPN and WLS-TV share the same corporate parent in The Walt Disney Co.

The first WLS Cubs broadcast didn’t come off without a hitch: in the opening graphics package (which you can see below), there were some numerous spelling mistakes, and even one graphic saying “San Francisco Mariners” (Good God, Seattle lost another sports team? )

The broadcast is the first of 24 games WLS is scheduled to air this season in a five-year deal. In addition, WLS Cubs games are airing in other Illinois and Indiana markets, similar to what WGN-TV is doing with their sports telecasts.

The next ABC 7 game is Friday against San Diego at Wrigley Field. Game time is at 1:20 p.m.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suVFFLE9Saw