Ratings for Thunder telecasts on FS Oklahoma are “nearly double” this season compared to the '10-11 campaign, according to Mel Bracht of the OKLAHOMAN. Bracht notes that the shortened 66-game season “has been a hit with viewers,” as the Thunder’s 6.0 local rating in Oklahoma City is up 82% from the same period last year. TV viewing figures also show that “fans are staying up late for the West Coast games,” as the net is averaging a 6.9 rating for games beginning at 9:00pm CT or later. The Thunder’s two games on TNT this season to date have also “produced huge local ratings, including a team-high 10.5 at Boston on Jan. 16 and a 10.0 against visiting Dallas on Dec. 29.” The Magic-Thunder Christmas night game on ESPN produced a team-high 8.3 local rating. Nationally, NBA viewership on ESPN is up 20% “when compared Christmas-to-date with last season.” TNT’s NBA viewership is up 36% (OKLAHOMAN, 2/10).
LIN IS IN: MSG has averaged a 2.6 local rating for two Knicks games since G Jeremy Lin became a starter, up 36% from a 1.9 rating season-to-date. The net earned a 2.7 local rating for the Feb. 6 game against the Jazz and a 2.4 rating for the Feb. 8 game against the Wizards (MSG).
