The Thunder and Knicks gave TNT its largest audience of the NBA season for a game that did not involve the Lakers or Heat. In other news, ESPN’s Friday NBA doubleheader declined by double-digits compared to 2011, and the NHL on NBC hit a season-low in overnights Sunday.
Thunder/Knicks Solid Draw For TNT
- Thursday’s Thunder/Knicks NBA regular season game drew 2.7 million viewers on TNT, up 30% from Magic/Bulls last year (2.1M), up 1% from Magic/Heat in 2011 (2.7M), and the network’s top game this season that did not involve the Lakers or Heat. Later Thursday night, Clippers/Nuggets earned 1.7 million — up 33% from Mavericks/Suns last year (1.3M), and up 18% from Nuggets/Jazz in 2011 (1.5M). (Thu. numbers from The Futon Critic)
Double-Digit Declines For NBA on ESPN
- On Friday night, the Rockets/Warriors game drew 1.7 million viewers on ESPN — down 43% from Heat/Spurs in an earlier slot two years ago (2.9M). Hawks/Celtics scored 1.5 million earlier in the night, down 15% from Bulls/Magic in 2011. There were no comparable games last year. On Wednesday, Bulls/Spurs earned 1.4 million viewers; there were no comparable games last year or in 2011. (The Futon Critic, TV By the Numbers)
Season-Low For NHL on NBC
- NBC earned a mere 0.8 overnight rating for the Rangers/Capitals NHL regular season game Sunday afternoon, even with Bruins/Penguins last year (0.8), and down a tick from Blackhawks/Capitals in 2011 (0.9). The 0.8 overnight is the lowest of the season for an NHL telecast on NBC. (Weekend overnights from Sports Business Daily)
