I meant to respond to this initially then forgot, but in the wake of David Stern’s death yesterday, thought I would make this brief note for the record. See LAT obit here:
https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2020-01-01/david-stern-nba-commissioner-dead The story behind the header that the Lakers (never Clippers) game was the top rated prime time program Christmas Day is really the story of how the NBA went from being in danger of media and mainstream cultural irrelevance as recently as 1981 (when the playoffs were on tape delay on CBS at 11:30 pm) to a major part of mainstream media culture, a significant player on cable TV, and an international brand. This is symbolized by the NBA “owning” Christmas Day, and in many families (mine included) watching at least one NBA game is a deeply entrenched part of the Christmas ritual (we open presents in the morning, go see a movie in early afternoon, get take-out Chinese food on way home and eat it watching the main NBA game, which we have recorded). While the absolute numbers are relatively modest on the day, given fractured tv model and multiple distractions of the holiday, it symbolizes the success of the Association in the Stern era. I have a number of criticisms of Stern’s legacy, but it would be churlish on the event of his death not to give him his due. On Thu, Dec 26, 2019 at 6:11 PM 'Bob Jersey' via TVorNotTV < [email protected]> wrote: > Over, f'rinstance, twice "The Grinch" on NBC (the animated original *and* > the Jim Carrey feature) > > The Variety writer forgets that they now share the same venue... > > > https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/tv-ratings-clippers-lakers-game-tops-christmas-day-1203451949/ > (link) > > B > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "TVorNotTV" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvornottv/1ae4c950-36ec-4c43-b5ca-dc7a844c5858%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvornottv/1ae4c950-36ec-4c43-b5ca-dc7a844c5858%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- Sent from Gmail Mobile -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "TVorNotTV" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/tvornottv/CAKGtkYKr%2BOx9-LwAMSzrrK3aqphnSvmUsXZzqN74HYPjuZ3GZQ%40mail.gmail.com.
