Channel 7 Poll Indicates Most Fans Prefer Their Raider Telecasts ‘Live’

Channel 7 is asking viewers to decide when the station should televise Thursday night’s Raider-San Diego Charger game, either -live at 5 p.m. or delayed at 7:30 p.m.

Monday night, votes were running 3 to 1 in favor of a live telecast, said John Severino, Channel 7’s general manager.

A source said that the ABC-owned station wants to show the game at 7:30 p.m., since the networks are currently in the November ratings “sweeps” period, during which advertising rates are established.

But Severino said the fact that this is a sweeps period is not important. “If the game turns into a blowout, and everyone knows it’s a blowout, a delayed telecast would hurt us,” he said.

Asked his personal preference, Severino said: “I’m a traditionalist. I like sports live.”

But the source said a delayed Raider telecast would provide Channel 7 with more viable competition against prime-time programming on CBS and NBC.

CBS offers the final installment of “Fresno,” “Simon and Simon” and “Knots Landing” on Thursday night. The NBC lineup has “The Cosby Show,” “Family Ties,” “Cheers,” “Night Court” and “Fast Copy.”