Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.ads From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: ads Wed, May 20 1992 Date: Wed, 20 May 92 05:20:57 EDT Message-ID: 05-20 0000 DECISIONLINE: Advertising USA TODAY Update May 20, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network `CHEERS' IS TOP SHOW OF WEEK: The season finale of "Cheers," featuring the Woody:Kelly nuptials, was the No. 1 program of the week, helping to lift NBC to the top spot for the week. Earlier Thursday on NBC, "A Different World's" wedding of Whitley and Dwayne tied with CBS' "60 Minutes" at No. 10. The season finale of ABC's "Roseanne" was the week's second-most watched program. (For more, see special Ratings package below.) SWEEPS RACE IS TIGHT: The May sweeps end Thursday and ABC ratings chief Alan Wurtzel says it is "one of the tightest in history." Through Tuesday, just 0.3 of a ratings point separated first and third place. NBC had an 11.9 rating:20 share; CBS an 11.7:20 and ABC an 11.6:20. The quarterly period is used by local stations to adjust ad rates. Compared to last May, ABC is the only network whose ratings are up. AIRLINES FOCUS ON ELITE DEALS: Now that frequent-flier programs are 11 years old, airlines are focusing more on taking away rivals' frequent fliers than getting new fliers, says Inside Flyer Publisher Randy Petersen. Delta Airlines has unveiled an ad campaign this week touting the Medallion level of its Frequent Flyer program. "The elite-level programs are going to be the new battleground," he says. `SMOTHERS BROTHERS' SYNDICATED: After more than 25 years in the vault, the Smothers Brothers have pulled out 72 episodes of "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" for the syndication market. Most of the episodes have never been rerun. The 1967-69 series was canceled at its prime by CBS over a censorship controversy. Guests on the show include the Beatles, Steve Martin, Simon & Garfunkel, the Doors and the Who. CANDIDATE RUNS CONTROVERSIAL AD: Idaho Republican Senate candidate Rod Beck has begun airing a graphic anti-abortion ad. The 30-second spot is similar to a controversial ad used by a winning congressional candidate in Indiana. Beck faces Boise Mayor Dirk Kempthorne, who opposes unrestricted abortions, and pro-choice stockbroker Milt Erhart in the May 26 primary. Erhart is running pro-choice ads. HEPATITIS B CAMPAIGN TO BEGIN: The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases on Wednesday is launching a public education and prevention campaign on the sexually-transmitted disease hepatitis B. The organization's campaign includes MTV-style public service announcements, transit advertising, a toll-free number and participation by sex educator Dr. Ruth Westheimer and hepatitis B patient Wendy Marx. N.Y. BILL LIMITS TOBACCO ADS: The New York State Assembly advanced a bill Tuesday that restricts cigarette vending machines and limits tobacco advertising in public facilities and on mass transit and highways. The measure faces an uncertain future because of complaints that it infringes on Constitutional guarantees of free speech. The Senate is considering a similar bill, but it does not prohibit tobacco ads. BILL WOULD END FREE SAMPLES: A law passed by the New York State Assembly would allow cigarette advertising in public facilities, including sports arenas, only if there is an equal amount of space for anti-smoking ads. It also outlaws the free or discounted distribution of tobacco product samples. The Tobacco Institute said the measure would not make any difference in discouraging young people from smoking. SPORTS SPONSORSHIP TO GO UP: Gerald Celente, editor and publisher of The Trends Journal, predicts an increase in sports sponsorships and advertising. "Among the trends we see evolving is a movement toward more sponsorships as the splintering of media becomes more pronounced," he says. "Marketers will embrace special event and talent tie-ins at a greater rate than currently exists." SPECIAL PACKAGE ON RATINGS: NBC HAS TOP MOVIE: NBC, the top network of the week, also won the Sunday movie race with "Cruel Doubt, Part 1," at No. 7. CBS followed with "Intruders," No. 20. ABC's airing of the feature movie "Look Who's Talking" ranked No. 25. Also on ABC, a repeat episode of "Home Improvement" tied with "Northern Exposure" at No. 5. WALTERS HAS TOP SPECIAL: There were a plethora of specials this week. The winner was ABC's "The Best of Barbara Walters," which tied with ABC's "Full House" at No. 16. "American Bandstand's 40th Anniversary Special" on ABC came in at No. 24; CBS' "Ancient Secrets of the Bible" was No. 34; NBC's "Bob Hope Special" was 50; and the Roseanne:Tom Arnold animated "Rosey and Buddy" was No. 55. ABC STAYS ON TOP OF NEWS RACE: In the nightly news race, ABC held its ground for the 71st straight week. CBS was in second, followed by NBC. The bottom five shows of the week were all on the Fox network. "Get a Life" was a at the bottom. The others cellar dwellers were "Parker Lewis," "Stand by Your Man," "Trial and Error," and "True Colors." (End of package.) Advertising Editor: Ed Kelleher. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM