Viewership sank for both games of Thursday’s NBA on TNT doubleheader. In other news, NBCSN had mixed numbers for NHL coverage during the week, and the MLS regular season posted gains on ESPN and Fox Sports.
Big Declines For NBA on TNT Thursday
- Thursday’s Mavericks/Clippers NBA regular season game had a 1.0 final rating and 1.4 million viewers on TNT, down 27% in ratings and 33% in viewership from Thunder/Clippers last year (1.5, 2.1M) and down 21% and 35%, respectively, from Warriors/Clippers in 2013 (1.4, 2.2M). Hawks/Knicks provided a weak lead-in with 1.1 million, down 74% from Knicks/Cavaliers last year — LeBron James‘ return (4.0M) — and down 60% from Knicks/Bulls in 2013 (2.6M). Coverage aired opposite Thursday Night Football on CBS and NFL Network, compared to NFL Network alone last year. (via ShowBuzz/TVMI)
NHL Down Tuesday, Up Wednesday, on NBCSN
- NBCSN scored 462,000 viewers for Wednesday’s Penguins/Capitals NHL regular season game, up 71% from Red Wings/Capitals last year (271K) and up 24% from Bruins/Sabres in 2013 (374K). In the nightcap, Predators/Sharks had 201,000. Lightning/Blues drew 156,000 the previous night, down 16% from Wild/Bruins last year (186K) and down 37% from Predators/Wild in 2013, the latter of which did not face the World Series (247K). (via Sports TV Ratings [1], [2])
MLS Regular Season Up on ESPN, FS1
- Major League Soccer regular season games averaged 249,000 viewers on ESPN and ESPN2, according to Sports Business Daily, up 4% from last year (240K) and up 13% from 2013 (220K). Viewership was the highest on the networks since 2012 (311K). Fox Sports 1 averaged 197,000 for its coverage, up 40% from last year (141K) and up 76% from 2013 (112K), when coverage aired on NBCSN. (Sports Business Daily)
