So far this season, ratings for nationally televised NBA games are down in both Seattle and Oklahoma City.
In Seattle, which is undergoing its first season without an NBA team in 42 years, nationally televised NBA games are averaging a 0.8 rating on ESPN and a 0.9 on TNT, down 20% and 10% respectively from a 1.0 on each network last year.
In Oklahoma City, which is in its first year as a full-time NBA city, games on ESPN are averaging a 0.9 rating, down 18% from a 1.1 in ’07, while games on TNT are averaging a surprisingly low 0.6 — down 33% from a 0.9 last year.
According to Nielsen, Oklahoma City Thunder telecasts are averaging a 1.2/2 rating and approximately 9,000 homes on KSBI (6 games), and a 1.1/2 and approximately 7,000 homes on FS Oklahoma. Sonics games averaged a 1.27 rating on FSN Northwest for the full 2007-08 season, equaling approximately 22,600 homes.
The highest rated game was the season opener, which drew a 4.3/7 on KSBI. The lowest rated game was a December 6 tilt between the Thunder and Miami Heat, which averaged a 0.2 rating on KSBI. 12 of the 23 Thunder telecasts on KSBI and FS Oklahoma have drawn sub-1.0 ratings.
Highest rated Oklahoma City Thunder games this season.
in Oklahoma City DMA
4.3: Bucks/Thunder (Wed., 10/29, 7 PM CT KSBI)
2.8: Celtics/Thunder (Wed., 11/5, 7 PM CT FS Oklahoma)
2.6: Hornets/Thunder (Fri., 11/21, 8:30 PM CT ESPN/FS Oklahoma)*
1.9: Timberwolves/Thunder (Fri., 11/28, 7 PM CT FS Oklahoma)
1.4: Rockets/Thunder (Mon., 11/17, 7 PM CT FS Oklahoma)
1.4: Suns/Thunder (Tue., 11/25, 7 PM FS Oklahoma)
* 2.0 on ESPN, 0.6 on FS Oklahoma.
