- Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and even Ernie Johnson were missing from Thursday’s TNT NBA doubleheader, but the games still drew fairly well. The Bulls’ win over the Cavaliers drew 1.6 million viewers (#26 for the night on cable), up 12% from 76ers/Bulls last year (1.5 mil), while the Nuggets’ win over the Lakers drew 2.0 million (#16 for the night), down 20% from the same matchup last year (2.5 mil). (pifeedback.com)
- Thursday’s Islanders/Penguins game drew a massive 13.1 rating on FSN Pittsburgh, the second-highest rating ever for a Penguins game on the network. This is the third time this season that the Penguins have drawn their second-highest rating ever on FSN. The record is still held by Maple Leafs/Penguins in ’00 (15.9), which featured the return of Mario Lemieux from retirement. (penguins.nhl.com)
- The Rays’ Opening Day game against the Orioles drew a 4.8 rating on FS Florida, up 115% from last year’s season opener (2.9). Meanwhile, the Athletics and Giants saw their Opening Day ratings rise 65% and 22%, respectively, while the White Sox’ opener had a 24% decline. (Sports Business Daily)
On the Air: Wembanyama and the sports debate ‘villain’ playbook
On the latest "On the Air," Armand Broady examines the negative turn in perceptions of Victor Wembanyama and the...
