I'm not 100% sure, but I had read in more than one place that ABC had decided to air the miniseries without commercial interruptions. So advertisers wouldn't be part of the equation.
But ratings for all other ABC shows definitely would.
"No commercials" doesn't mean no commercials. The lead-ins and lead-outs and any commercial in close contat is in the same position.
That's correct, I just went to ABC's website, in which it is being prominently promo-ed. When you go to ABC.com, you automatically get an audio promo and it says it will be presented without interruptions.
In a bit of hilariously convoluted logic, a dem operative argued on H&C that it doesn't matter that Clinton passed up bin Laden because Bush let him go at Tora Bora. :)