ESPN Sacks Record with Steelers-Ravens

ESPN's Dec. 16 telecast of the National Football League game between the
Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens generated a 9.14 household rating,
setting a network ratings high for the year, according to ESPN
representatives.

The contest -- which Pittsburgh won 26-21 -- was also the most-viewed program
on basic cable this year, with more than 7.8 million homes tuning in, ESPN
said.

The matchup also proved to be ESPN's highest-rated program since its Dec. 12,
1999, coverage of the NFL game between the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City
Chiefs, which earned a 9.17 household rating, according to the
network.

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.