For the second straight season, the LeBron James and his Cavaliers averaged the highest local rating in the NBA.
Cavaliers games averaged an 8.59 rating on FS Ohio during the 2009-10 regular season, down 1% from last year’s team record, but easily the highest average rating in the NBA. The Cavaliers averaged the second-highest rating of any team in the four major sports on an RSN — behind only the Red Sox on NESN (9.46, 2009 season) and ahead of the Penguins on FSN Pittsburgh (8.05).
A somewhat distant second were the Spurs on FS Southwest (6.61, down 2%), the Lakers on FS West (3.54, down 22%) and the Blazers on Comcast SportsNet Northwest (down 19%).
Though the Cavaliers led the way in ratings, the Lakers — who play in a much larger market — averaged more households (200,000 to 131,000).
The Bobcats had the largest increase in ratings during the regular season, as their 0.93 average on FS Carolinas was up 76%. Following were the Thunder on FS Oklahoma (1.91, up 68%), the Mavericks on FS Southwest (2.41, up 65%), the Wizards on CSN Mid-Atlantic (1.18, up 37%) and the Hawks on SportSouth (1.93, up 36%).
On the flip side, the 12-70 Nets had the lowest average rating and the largest decrease in ratings of any NBA team, as their 0.29 rating on YES was down 45% from last year. The 45% drop topped a 43% decline for the Pistons (1.98 on FS Detroit), the 24% decline for the Timberwolves (0.75 on FS North) and the 23% decline for the Knicks (0.95 on MSG).
In addition the aforementioned Nets, Timberwolves, Knicks and Bobcats, the Clippers finished among the five lowest rated NBA teams, with a 0.44 on FS Prime Ticket (down 12%).
(Sports Business Journal)
Sports Business Journal data is through April 9. The NBA regular season ended on April 14. Data for the Hawks and Magic was split between two regional sports networks (FS South and SportSouth for the Hawks and FS Florida and Sun Sports for the Magic). Ratings for the Hornets, Jazz, Kings and Raptors not included.
