The Needle, or: “How Leagues Learned to Stop Worrying and Shrug the Ratings”
Welcome back to “The Needle,” a ratings-focused column on Sports Media Watch that will break down the numbers,…
NBA Finals hits series-high in Game 4, but still trending low
The NBA Finals hit a second-straight series-high in Game 4 Friday night, but yet again was the least-watched…
NBA has least-watched Finals opener outside of COVID
The NBA got the finish it needed in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, but it was not…
NBA Finals audience is lowest since “bubble” for second-straight game
Despite a competitive game and unexpected outcome, Game 3 of the NBA Finals hit another viewership low. Wednesday’s…
Pacers-Knicks finishes strong, if down from previous Game 6
The Pacers-Knicks Eastern Conference Finals ended with a series — and season — high, if short of the…
ECF pacing at seven-year high as Knicks extend series
The NBA Eastern Conference Finals hit another seven-year high as the Knicks ensured at least a sixth game.…
Multi-year highs continue for Pacers-Knicks
With potentially just one game left in the series, Pacers-Knicks continues to deliver some of the largest Eastern…
Pacers-Knicks audience grows in Game 2
After an all-time classic Game 1, viewers were evidently interested in more of the same from the Pacers-Knicks…
Big gains for Celtics-Knicks as NBA Playoffs continues upward trend
NBA playoff viewership continues to trend above last year, with the Celtics-Knicks series producing a pair of big…
Warriors-Rockets finale is top first round game on cable since ’09
The final first round NBA playoff game on TNT was the network’s most-watched in 16 years. Sunday’s Warriors-Rockets…
Lakers-T’Wolves Game 4 among top first round games since 2002
A thriller between the Lakers and Timberwolves scored one of the largest opening round NBA playoff audiences since…