MSG Network's telecast of the New York Knicks-New Jersey Nets preseason game from Madison Square Garden delivered the regional sports network's highest-rated preseason game in seven years.
The Dec. 21 telecast averaged a 2.28 household rating in the New York DMA, according to Nielsen data. That made Knicks-Nets the highest-rated preseason game on MSGN since 2004, when Nielsen began using LPM to measure ratings in New York.
Wednesday night's game also topped the Knicks 2010 preseason home opener ratings. Compared to the Knicks-Timberwolves preseason game on Oct. 6, 2010, last night's game was up 322% from a 2.28 from a 0.54 DMA rating.
During the 2010-11 regular season, the Knicks averaged a 1.80 household rating over 77 games on MSG Network, up 100% from the previous season.
This season during the NBA lockout truncated campaign, MSG Network, which is involved in a contract extension renewal fight with Time Warner Cable, will telecast 56 of the Knicks' 66 2011-12 regular season games. Its slate tips off Dec. 28 at 10:30 p.m. when the team travels to Golden State. All regular season games will be preceded by the 30-minute pre-game show Knicks Game Night, and most games will be followed by the Ford Post-Game show.
