The New York Knicks now trail the NHL’s Rangers on MSG Network. In other news, few viewers watched the Celtics and Lakers on national TV this week, and ESPN2 had mixed numbers for a Wednesday Night Baseball doubleheader.
Knicks Ratings Down, Trail Rangers
- New York Knicks NBA regular season games have averaged a 1.32 rating on MSG Network so far this season, according to Newsday, down 39% from last year and behind the NHL Rangers (1.63). The Knicks were last outdrawn by the Rangers during the 2007-08 season. The Knicks still top the Islanders (0.60) and Devils (0.25). (Newsday)
Few Viewers For Celtics, Lakers, Games
- ESPN drew 740,000 viewers for Wednesday’s Celtics/Pistons NBA game, down 62% from Heat/Grizzlies last year (2.0M), down 38% from Nets/Celtics in 2013 (1.2M) and the fourth-smallest NBA audience of the season on national TV (excludes NBA TV). The Suns/Mavericks nightcap drew 1.1 million (-46%). On Tuesday, TNT drew 958,000 for Lakers/Clippers — down 23% from Rockets/Lakers last year (1.3M) and the 10th-smallest audience of the season. 11 games have now slipped under the one million mark. Spurs/Thunder drew 1.2 million earlier in the night (-32%). (via ShowBuzz Daily [1], [2])
Mixed Numbers For Wednesday Night Baseball
- The Red Sox/Phillies Wednesday Night Baseball game drew 619,000 viewers on ESPN2, up 13% from Phillies/Rangers in a late timeslot last year (549K) but down 26% from Red Sox/Yankees in 2013 (833K). The Padres/Dodgers nightcap drew 543,000, down 23% from Giants/Dodgers in 2013 (708K); there was no comparable game last year. Both of Wednesday’s games were blacked out in the local markets. (via ShowBuzz Daily)
