Nielsen Media Research is reporting that "for the most
part," NBA fans are welcoming back their local teams "with
open arms," as RSN ratings are "up as much as" 20-30%,
according to R. Thomas Umstead of MULTICHANNEL NEWS, who
writes that the "predicted backlash" after the NBA's "bitter
six-month lockout never truly materialized," as cable is
"enjoying one of its highest-rated NBA seasons." MSG
Network is seeing a 33% increase in Knicks ratings over last
year, while Fox Sports N.Y. has seen a 45% increase in its
Nets ratings. Comcast SportsNet is averaging a 3.0 rating
for its 76ers telecasts, "nearly double last year's overall
numbers," while the Sunshine Network is averaging a 7.3
rating for Magic games, up from last year's 6.4. Fox Sports
NW's Sonics ratings are up from last year's 6.8 to 7.3. Fox
Sports Chicago has been "hurt" by Michael Jordan's
retirement, as Bulls games are averaging a 4.4, down from
last year's 8.9 (MULTICHANNEL NEWS, 3/29 issue).
IN TX: In Houston, David Barron wrote that, at the
midpoint of the NBA season, ratings are up for all three
teams on Fox Sports SW: Rockets games are averaging a 6.5, a
41% increase over last year's season average of 4.6. Spurs
games are averaging a 5.2, up 13% over last season's 4.6 and
the Mavs are averaging a 1.3, up from last year's 1.2. The
NBA says that ratings are "up" 6% for all local over-the-air
games, and Rockets games are receiving a 10.4/17 on KHTV-TV,
up 20% over last season's 8.7/14 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/29).
