Recent sports TV ratings notes, including big gains for the New York Knicks on MSG Network, lower ratings for the NBA’s marquee matchups, and a slight increase for the NHL on NBC.
- Knicks Ratings Up Big Locally: MSG Network has averaged a 2.02 rating for 24 New York Knicks telecasts this season, up 71% from the same number of telecasts last year (1.18). Keep in mind this season began on Christmas Day due to the NBA owners’ five-month lockout of players, the fourth work stoppage in league history (all being owner-imposed lockouts). Saturday’s Knicks/Timberwolves game earned a 4.17 rating, the highest for the Knicks on MSG since last February (MIL/NY: 6.75). The past four Knicks telecasts have averaged a 3.08 rating, up 70% compared to the first twenty games. (MSG Network)
- Double-Digit Drop For Lakers/Celtics on TNT: The Lakers/Celtics rivalry is quickly losing steam. Thursday’s matchup between the teams earned a 2.1 U.S. rating and 3.112 million viewers on TNT, down 28% in ratings and 34% in viewership from the same matchup on the comparable night last year (2.9, 4.714M), but up 24% and 21%, respectively, from 2010 (ORL/CLE: 1.7, 2.579M). Of note, ratings and viewership also dropped for the NBA’s other marquee matchup this season. The January 19 Lakers/Heat game on TNT earned a 2.7 and 4.396 million viewers, down 13% and 9%, respectively, from last year’s game between the same teams, which aired in March (3.1, 4.844M). (The Voice of TV [1], [2])
- Caps/Rangers Up on NBC: Sunday’s Capitals/Rangers NHL regular season game earned a 1.0 overnight rating on NBC, up 11% from last year’s comparable game (BOS/DET: 0.9). Last year’s game, which involved the Bruins, aired directly opposite a Heat/Celtics NBA game on ABC. (Puck the Media, citing Sports Business Daily)
