HOW IT RATES: Although the All-Star Game drew its best preliminary rating on ABC since 2000, it didn't top the Arena Football League on NBC.
Both events were viewed in 2.5 percent of homes in the top 55 markets, according to Nielsen Media Research Inc.
"Any form of football reinforces the power of the sport to attract viewers," Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, said. "For the NHL, the lack of a major national audience remains a problem." Ratings were 9 percent higher than 2003.
