Wednesday, February 28. 2001
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 7
XFL ratings continue to drop
Fledgling league not coming close to expectations
NEW YORK — NBC pledged continued allegiance to the XFL yesterday despite a ratings freefall in which the football league narrowly missed a dubious milestone last weekend.
Saturday's fifth game of the XFL sea-
son had a rating of 2.6 — the second-lowest rating ever recorded for a prime-time show on any of the Big Three networks of ABC, CBS or NBC, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Only April 15, 2000 — a Saturday night split between an NBA game and a 3rd Rock From the Sun rerun on NBC — was lower, with a 2.4.
"I certainly hope it has bottomed out." NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker said. "We
will stick with it and give it a chance to grow."
If the XFL were a comedy or drama on NBC's schedule, it would be long gone. But because NBC and the World Wrestling Federation are co-owners of the league, the rules are different, said Scott Sassa, president of NBC West Coast.
Sassa said NBC was committed to showing the XFL in primetime for the rest of its two-year contract.
He said he wasn't aware of any affiliate complaints about the low ratings, or any talk NBC could dump the XFL on another network with which it has a business relationship, like CNBC or Pax TV.
It's difficult for any network to build an audience on Saturday night, particularly NBC — which generally appeals to a younger, more urban viewership that is more likely to be out or renting videos on Saturday, he said.
league, a strategy the WWF has successfully followed with wrestling. Sassa said.
NBC hopes to build an audience by developing personalities and stories about people in the
A polling expert said she believed a young audience attracted to extreme sports and high-tech gadgetry was looking forward to the XFL but was disappointed in the product.
"They have to overcome a brand that they've created that doesn't meet the market needs," said Nadine Gelberg, executive director of sports and entertainment at Harris Interactive.
Neal Pilson, a sports television consultant and former president of CBS Sports, said NBC should consider moving their broadcast into daytime hours, where their viewership levels would be more acceptable.
Sassa said no time change was in the works.
"I think it's over," said media analyst Paul Schulman, who owns his own advertising firm. "I don't think there's any hope for this thing and I don't think they can change it unless they take the uniforms off and have them wrestling."
Carruth's accomplice sentenced
Getaway driver could face 14 years for role in slaying
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The getaway driver in the ambush slaying of Rae Carruth's pregnant girlfriend was sentenced to up to 14 years and two months in prison yesterday after pleading guilty to murder.
Michael Kennedy, 25, testified against Carruth at the former football player's trial. Carruth was sentenced last month to up to 24 years and four months in prison for conspiracy to commit murder and other offenses.
"I just want to pray to God to forgive me for what I've done," Kennedy said, turning to the parents of victim Cherica Adams. "I want to ask Saundra Adams and Jeff Moonie to forgive me for what I've done."
Cherica Adams, 24, was wounded in her car in 1999 and died a month later in an attack prosecutors said was engineered by Carruth to avoid paying child support. Adams' son was delivered prematurely by emergency Caesarean section and has cerebral palsy.
Prosecutors used Carruth used his vehicle to box her in while a gunman opened fire from a car driven by Kennedy. The triggerman, Van Brett Watkins, pleaded guilty to murder and conspiracy and could get more than 50 years in prison. He told the jury Carruth paid him $2,000.
"To forgive someone doesn't mean they don't have to face the consequences of their actions," she said. "I believe without Michael Kennedy's testimony we might never have known what happened."
Judge Charles Lamm, who also presided during the former NFL player's trial, sentenced Kennedy to a minimum of 11 years, eight months in prison and a maximum of 14 years, two months.
Saundra Adams said justice has been done and she has forgiven Kennedy.
Kennedy's father, Robbie Bozzins, said he was satisfied with the sentence.
"He made a mistake and he wants people to forgive him," he said as he left the courthouse.
Kennedy also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an unoccupied vehicle and using an instrument with the intent to destroy an unborn child. The charges were consolidated to the second-degree murder charge for sentencing.
Kennedy had no deal with prosecutors and still faced a possible death sentence when he testified against Carruth during the murder trial of the ex-Carolina Panthers plaver.
Assistant District Attorney David Graham said prosecutors agreed to the deal because Kennedy offered to testify without a plea agreement.
"We found that to be meaningful," he told Lamm.
University of Kansas Spring 2001 Blood Drive
BE A HERO! DONATE BLOOD.
Monday-Wednesday February 26-28 Kansas Union Ballroom 11 a.m.-5 p.m
Thursday - Friday March 1 - 2 McCollum Hall Lobby 1 - 6 p.m. FREE COKE PRODUCTS! (to all presenting donors)
American Red Cross