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Thunder come in strong in local TV ratings

By Alex Mcewen

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 30: Rumble the Bison mascot of the Oklahoma City Thunder keeps the fans going during a break in the action against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 30: Rumble the Bison mascot of the Oklahoma City Thunder keeps the fans going during a break in the action against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2012 NBA Playoffs on April 30, 2012 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Small market size did not affect the OKC Thunder in the midseason local television ratings roundup. Oklahoma City ranks 3rd among all 30 teams.

The OKC Thunder may be underachieving in the eyes of some fans and media members. But in reality, Oklahoma City is in a very good place.

The Thunder went into the All-Star break with the leagues 11th best record, yet according to  Sports Business Daily the Thunder have the 3rd best local television ratings in all of the NBA.

That is no small achievement considering the Thunder play in the leagues third smallest market, behind only the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans.

Oklahoma City’s average TV rating is 7.01 according the Sports Business Daily’s report, up 13% compared to last years 6.18 average rating.

The additions of Paul George and Carmelo Anthony are undoubtedly a factor in the Thunder’s uptick in ratings. It also helps having Russell Westbrook’s continued domination and the emergence of Steven Adams. The uptick shows that two superstars and two stars are truly better than one solo superstar from a fan perspective.

Other highlights from the list

NBA ratings as a whole are up 15 percent across ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV. Local NBA television ratings are up seven percent compared to last All-Star break.

The Brooklyn Nets have the worst local TV ratings among all 30 teams at 0.42. Atlanta comes in at second-worst with a 0.58 rating. The Los Angeles Clippers have the worst local TV ratings among Western Conference Teams at 0.58.

The teams with the five best local TV ratings are the Golden State Warriors (8.87 – up 3%), the Cleveland Cavaliers (8.21 – up 15%), the OKC Thunder (7.01 – up 13%), the San Antonio Spurs (6.45 – up 26%) and the Boston Celtics (3.65 – up 82%).

Thunder Nation: something important to keep in mind while reading these local TV ratings is that this is not the 80’s or 90’s. It is 2018 – superstars no longer need to play in one of the ten largest markets to gain exposure.

Two of the five teams with the best local TV ratings are bottom five in market size (OKC and San Antonio). Cleveland is not much better, as they have the 17th largest TV market.

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