Recent sports TV ratings news, including substantial increases for the NBA on TNT and the Jazz on FSN Utah, and local ratings for ESPN’s NBA Christmas Day coverage.
- TNT averaged a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.541 million viewers for 20 NBA telecasts through December 23, up 45% in ratings and 47% in viewership from the first 20 games last year (1.1, 1.723 mil), and up 60% and 64%, respectively, from the first 20 games in 2008 (1.0, 1.551 mil). (Turner Sports)
- Fox Sports Net Utah averaged a 6.3 rating for Utah Jazz games through December 22, up 50% from last year (4.2). The network has topped a 9.0 rating on three separate occasions this season, matching last year’s full season total. (Salt Lake Tribune via Sports Business Daily)
- Local ratings for ESPN’s Christmas Day NBA games: Bulls/Knicks drew a 4.2 rating in Chicago and a 2.7 in New York, Nuggets/Thunder drew a 4.1 in Oklahoma City and a 1.8 in Denver, and Blazers/Warriors drew a 3.0 in Portland and a 1.7 in the Bay Area. (ESPN)
