Televised Bowling Was Killed By One Network Decision. 100 Pro Careers Paid The Price

Televised Bowling Was Killed By One Network Decision. 100 Pro Careers Paid The Price The Professional Bowlers Association occupied ABC's Saturday afternoon schedule for thirty-five consecutive years. The network cancelled the contract in nineteen ninety-seven. The stated reason was falling ratings. The documented fact is that the final season of PBA bowling on ABC drew more viewers than every NHL playoff game on the same network that year, more than most PGA Tour events broadcast in comparable time slots, and more than ABC's own Sunday afternoon pregame coverage in the same period. The cancellation notice was issued anyway. No competitive bidding process for the rights was publicly documented.