On Long Island, Neil Best wrote the Knicks' "first postseason game in seven years was a hit with New York area-viewers," as TNT, MSG and MSG Plus averaged an 8.9 local rating in N.Y. for Sunday's Knicks-Celtics Eastern Conference First Round Game One. TNT averaged a 5.4 local rating, MSG averaged a 3.3 and MSG Plus, "which simulcast the MSG coverage," averaged a 0.2 (NEWSDAY.com, 4/18). In N.Y., Bob Raissman writes Rangers fans "got shafted" in regard to postgame coverage of Sunday's Capitals-Rangers Eastern Conference Quarterfinal Game Three. MSG after the game "presented an abbreviated postgame on MSG and MSG+" before the show was "hustled off both channels to accommodate the Knicks' pregame." Viewers "were told to tune in 'after' the Knicks' postgame show for the extended Rangers' postgame show" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/19).
FIGHTING WORDS: CABLEFAX DAILY reported a "redacted version" of Comcast's testimony in Tennis Channel's FCC carriage complaint case against the MSO indicates that Comcast's argument is that it "would be 'economic folly' to carry the net more broadly." The case "will be heard before an FCC administrative law judge" on April 26, and Comcast said if the judge rules in favor of increased distribution for Tennis Channel, then the net "should not be entitled to receive hundreds of millions in additional fees." Comcast added that NHL Network "has 'far more valuable programming' than Tennis," and that "any fees that Tennis is permitted to charge for increased distribution should be lower than NHL Net's fee." Tennis Channel claims that Comcast "favors its own nets." Comcast "has a minority stake in NHL Net" (CABLEFAX DAILY, 4/18).
TURNAROUND ARTIST? In Toronto, Raju Mudhar profiled new CBC Exec Dir of Sports Properties Jeffrey Orridge, who is "charged with charting the national broadcaster's sports future at a time when most assume CBC Sports is on a diminishing path, dwarfed by the deep pockets of its competitors." But Mudhar wrote, "For those looking for good signs for the CBC, he looks like the best one. He's enthusiastic and comes with an expansive and interesting sports media resume that hopefully makes him uniquely prepared for this job" (TORONTO STAR, 4/18).
