Recent sports TV ratings news, including a massive increase in ratings for the Oklahoma City Thunder, a double-digit rise in viewership for Saturday’s Missouri/Kansas game, and continued gains for the NBA on ESPN.
- Ratings Up 82% For Thunder in Oklahoma City: Fox Sports Oklahoma has averaged a 6.0 rating for Oklahoma City Thunder telecasts during the lockout-shortened NBA season, up 82% from last year (3.3). The owners’ five-month lockout of players resulted in the cancellation of games in November and December, the Thunder’s “two lowest-rated months from previous seasons when it competes with college football.” (newsok.com via Sports Business Daily)
- Viewership Up Double-Digits For Missouri/Kansas on ESPN: Saturday’s #4 Missouri/#8 Kansas college basketball game earned a 1.5 U.S. rating and 2.432 million viewers on ESPN, up 7% in ratings and 16% in viewership from last year’s comparable game (UK/FLA: 1.4, 2.097M), and up 27% and 34%, respectively from the comparable game in 2010 (MSU/ILL: 1.1, 1.812M). The game earned a 9.2 rating in the St. Louis market. (The Voice of TV, STLToday.com)
- ESPN’s NBA Ratings, Viewership, Continue to Rise: So far this season, NBA games on ESPN have averaged a 1.4 U.S. rating and 2.116 million viewers, up 27% in ratings and 20% in viewership from the comparable time period last season (1.1, 1.758M). Last year’s full season-to-date averages (October-February) were not immediately available. (espnmediazone3.com)
