Local television ratings have risen nearly 50% for the Chicago Bulls this season. Meanwhile, the Red Wings hit an eight-year high on Fox Sports Detroit, and NASCAR’s Budweiser Shootout slumped to a six-year low.
- Bulls TV Ratings Up Big Entering All-Star Break: Bulls telecasts have averaged a 5.92 rating on Comcast SportsNet Chicago entering NBA All-Star Weekend, up 45% from the first half average last season (4.09), and more than double the first half average two seasons ago (2.5). The three highest rated Bulls telecasts in the eight-year history of CSN Chicago have taken place this season — Bulls/Pistons on January 4 (7.54), Hawks/Bulls the previous night (7.66), and Pacers/Bulls on January 25 (8.73). Overall, ten telecasts have earned at least a 6.0 rating through the first half of the abbreviated season, compared to only one such telecast all of last season. (NBA.com/Bulls)
- Red Wings Earn Highest Local TV Rating Since 2004: Thursday’s Canucks/Red Wings NHL regular season game earned an 8.3 rating on Fox Sports Detroit Thursday night, the highest for a regular season Red Wings game on the network since April 2004. The Canucks won in a shootout, ending the Red Wings’ record 23-game home winning streak. (detroitnews.com)
- Six-Year Low For Budweiser Shootout: The NASCAR Sprint Cup Budweiser Shootout drew a 4.2 final rating and 7.467 million viewers on FOX Saturday night, down 7% in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (4.5, 7.847M), and down 5% and 9%, respectively, from 2010 (4.4, 8.187M). The telecast ranks as the lowest rated and least-viewed Budweiser Shootout since 2006, the last year the event aired on cable (3.7, 6.150M, TNT). (The Voice of TV)
