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The articles discusses the reasons for the rating improvement seen by the National Broadcasting Co. (NBC) and Fox Television in November 2000. It cites the role of the Sydney Olympic Games and the Major League Baseball World Series in the U.S. networks' efforts to promote their fall programming lineups.

The article presents an interview with Major League Baseball (MLB) commissioner Bud Selig. Selig discusses in the article how corporate sponsorship has helped MLB. When asked how he would market the next World Baseball Classic (WBC), he said that MLB and the WBC are continuing to make marketing plans for the next WBC, which will take place in 2009. He also talks about how the MLB will market Barry Bonds breaking Hank Aaron's record.

Reports on the rumor regarding the possible merger between satellite radio providers Sirius and XM Satellite Radio. Background of the two companies; Overview of the deal secured by XM to broadcast all Major League Baseball games; Competition between the two companies.

The article looks at the implications of the possible cancellation of the 2002 World Series in baseball, for Fox television network. The baseball strike would affect the ratings and advertiser interest in Fox. News Corp. could possible lose 260 million to 360 million dollars in potential advertising revenues.

The article reports on the weakening prices for commercial time in the 2001 Major League Baseball World Series in the U.S. Advertising executives said that unit prices for a 30-second spot for the World Series and playoff games are down five percent compared to 15 percent a year ago. The drop puts unit pricing in the $250,000 to $285,000 range for a 30-second ad in the World Series games one through five and somewhat lower for games six and seven.

This article deals with the television advertising campaigns for the Major League Baseball 2001 playoffs on Fox Sports. Beware of Things Made in October is the tag line of the humorous advertisements promoting Fox Sports' broadcasts of Major League Baseball Playoffs. The central theme in the advertisements from Omnicom Group's TBWA/Chiat/Day, San Francisco, revolves around the travails of a consumer whose product goes awry because the maker was absorbed in baseball's playoffs. In Nail Gun, a man tries to use a nail gun and nothing happens. He sets it down on his workbench, where it then proceeds to spray nails all over his garage and out into the street, sending people diving for cover. Another spot, Leaf Blower, finds man strapping on the product in a store. The leaf blower turns into a flame-thrower, igniting displays and causing fires in the store. A third spot shows similarly disastrous events surrounding a family boating trip. Although News Corporation's Fox Sports remains a client of Cliff Freeman & Partners, New York, which won the prestigious Grand Prix for television for a Fox Sports Net campaign at the 2001 International Advertising Festival in Cannes, France, the network occasionally farms out some advertising for specific events.

This article focuses on the media winners in the U.S. for the month of November 1999. The leader of the pack was the baseball team, the New York Yankees, which also won the World Series. Following second was Ford Motor Co., with its plans for global television advertisements. The restaging of the Coke Classic from beverage company Coca-Cola Co., ranked third. Television celebrity Martha Stewart reached fourth place, with coverage about the initial public offering of her company, Martha Stewart Omnimedia.

Comments on the importance of marketing for the recovery of the Major League Baseball (MLB) in the U.S. Description of opening of the 1999 MLB; Actions taken by the MLB in marketing baseball; Possible reasons behind the continued marketing recovery of baseball.

The article reports that Los Angeles, California and Honolulu, Hawaii won the city championships at "Advertising Age" magazine's Softball World Series. Los Angeles posted the best winning percentage among cities that entered teams in all three series categories. While Honolulu had the best winning percentage among cities with teams competing in one or two categories.

The section provides information about special events and properties requiring corporate sponsors as of May 22, 1995. SunScream II, the solar-power race car developed by Mercer University's School of Engineering, seeks sponsor to power its car. Amateur All-Star Baseball Inc. has sponsorship opportunities available at various levels for its third season of national all-star and world series youth baseball league tournaments. Motivational Media Assemblies wants three major sponsors to back Joyride, its 40-minute multimedia educational entertainment program touring more than 3,000 high schools.

This article reports that Major League Baseball (MLB) will launch its $15 million "Welcome to the show" campaign with a TV spot during ESPN Inc.'s Opening Day telecast on April 25, 1995. The commercial from Goodby Silverstein & Partners of San Francisco, uses familiar baseball imagery. Team marketing executives applaud the effort and say they look forward to receiving their "Welcome to the show" logos and bumper stickers. But many say they won't use the league marketing approach in their own ticket-selling promotional efforts for at least a couple weeks. MLB's integrated campaign also calls for the cooperation of corporate sponsors. But late last week some key sponsors said that they had yet to be contacted about participating.

This article reports on the move of sports card manufacturer to reduce its production in the U.S. due to the Major League Baseball strike in 1995. Donruss Trading Cards has already shipped its first 1995 series of baseball cards, but is considering cutting back shipments of its premium brand cards. Trading card marketer Fleer Corp. is also cutting back production. This year's production will be reduced to 10%, according to a company spokesman. The baseball strike began August 12, 1994, canceling the rest of the 1994 season, the World Series and threatening 1995. For the $2 billion trading card industry, an early season National Hockey League lockout exacerbated the situation.

This article reports on the efforts of Major League Baseball teams to win back their fans for the 1995 baseball season. The Detroit Tigers are going the extra mile to stay in good stead with their season-ticket holders. Owner Mike Ilitch has supplied complimentary passes to Tigers season-ticket holders for a pair of shows at his concert venue, the Fox Theatre. The Denver Rockies open Coors Field this season with a capacity of 50,000, and VP-Sales and Marketing Dave Glazier expects the club to again sell out every game in its third season. The Baltimore Orioles will proceed with ticket and marketing plans even if a settlement isn't reached, said Scott Nickle, director of marketing and advertising.

This article reports on the low ratings and financial issues facing CBS network as of October 1993. World Series advertising time is nearly sold out, but with the Toronto Blue Jays--a team with little following among U.S. fans--vying for the championship and few advertisers breaking noteworthy spots, baseball's success on CBS is not likely to move many viewers. The 1993 World Series marks the end of CBS network's $1.06 billion rights agreement with Major League Baseball, which next year teams up with NBC and ABC in a precedent-setting shared risk and revenue deal. While U.S. ratings could be boosted with the Philadelphia Phillies also in the series that began last weekend, media analysts remain skeptical CBS will go out with a ratings improvement due to the presence of the defending champion Blue Jays. Analysts said the Canadian team's participation was a major reason why the 1992 ratings were the fourth lowest in 20 years for the World Series.

This article reports on the sponsorship deal signed between Anheuser-Busch and Major League Baseball for its 1993 season. As part of the one-year deal, Anheuser-Busch will run a pre-season promotion for its three Michelob brands. The promotion includes in-store signage and distribution of a 32-page baseball preview handbook at point of purchase. In exchange for its sponsorship, Anheuser-Busch gets the right to use Major League Baseball insignia and terms such as World Series in advertisements and promotional materials.

This article deals with the impact of the Major League Baseball coverage on CBS Broadcasting Inc. Just days before the start of the Major League Baseball championships October 6, 1992, media buyers reported CBS has dramatically slashed its rate card for post-season ad units. Thirty-second World Series units that originally sold for $390,000 are now priced at half that, while spots in CBS primetime coverage of the American and National League playoffs, initially sold for $150,000 to $175,000, have been fetching as little as $75,000. The five scheduled daytime games are getting rates as low as $25,000 per unit, and spots are readily available. CBS executives maintain World Series units have not sold below $250,000 and playoff units have not gone for less than $95,000. In 1990, CBS reported a $282 million loss on its Major League Baseball coverage, and in 1991 it reported a combined loss of $322 million from baseball and National Football League coverage.

This article reports on a decision by the Phoenix Division of Safeway to be the exclusive presenting sponsor of the Arizona Fall Baseball League, which makes its debut on October 6, 1992. It is believed to be the first time a marketer has sponsored an entire league for a team sport. Safeway will promote the league and sell game tickets in 82 area grocery stores and its television and radio advertising from McCann-Erickson Worldwide will be tagged to plug the league. As part of the sponsorship of Safeway, its logo will show up everywhere the logo of the league appears. The name of Safeway will be on tickets, signage in the ballparks, league advertisements in local newspapers and on local television and radio.