Recent sports TV ratings news, including significant increases for Celtics/Bucks and Heat/Spurs on ESPN, as well as Red Sox spring training on NESN.
- ESPN earned a 1.6 overnight rating for Sunday’s Knicks/Hawks game, up 33% from last year’s comparable game (WSH/BOS: 1.2), which aired opposite the Academy Awards. Later in the night, Celtics/Bucks drew a 1.8, up a whopping 80% from last year (POR/DEN: 1.0). Both of last year’s games aired in later timeslots. (ESPN)
- The Spurs’ blowout win over the Heat drew a 2.2 overnight rating on ESPN Friday night, up 83% from last year (NO/SA: 1.2). Earlier in the night, Bulls/Magic drew a 1.4, even with last year (DET/CLE: 1.4). (ESPN)
- Through three telecasts, NESN is averaging a 2.4 rating for Red Sox spring training games, up 85% from last year, and a four-year high. Even in what amounts to preseason, the Red Sox are not too far off from the average for the Bruins on NESN (3.0). (NESN via Fang’s Bites)
