Courtesy of Comcast SportsNet New England, the Regional Sports Network reports that its ratings for Celtics games are up a whopping 106% over last season. The Celtics have completed the single season record for biggest turnaround and the ratings have reflected that. While the C’s are not close to Red Sox ratings, this season has to be considered a success for Comcast which took over FSN New England last October.
Even though Comcast SportsNet New England only has the Celtics, it can focus all of its resources on the team, provide ancillary wraparound programming and not have to worry about scheduling conflicts. All of the regular season games can be carried on CSN and this gives viewers one stop shopping without having to put games on a secondary channel as is the case with NESN when the Bruins and Red Sox conflict.
The press release from Comcast SportsNet:
COMCAST SPORTSNET CELTICS TELECASTS UP 106 PERCENT IN 2007-2008
BURLINGTON, MA – The 2007-08 Boston Celtics have set the single season record for the biggest turnaround in NBA history and the Celtics have scored a major success off the court as well. Comcast SportsNet’s Boston Celtics telecasts are up 106 percent in 2007-08.
Through 69 telecasts, Comcast SportsNet Celtics games are averaging a 3.5 rating (80,500 households) versus a 1.7 rating through 69 games in 2006-07. During the 2007-08 campaign, Comcast SportsNet has achieved ratings of 5.0 or higher five times and 4.0 or higher 24 times. No Boston Celtics telecast surpassed a 3.9 in 2006-07.
Comcast SportsNet’s single game high rating was a 5.7 (131,000 households) for the Celtics-Pistons telecast on March 5, 2008.
“The regular season has been just a warm up to what could be a very special post season. Celtics fans have tuned in all year long to Comcast SportsNet’s Celtics coverage and they can expect us to provide unmatched coverage throughout the Green’s post season run,” said Bill Bridgen, Comcast SportsNet executive vice president and general manager.
Comcast SportsNet has six remaining Boston Celtics telecasts before the start of the NBA playoffs.
However, with success comes more national attention. Most likely, the NBA will want the Celtics on its national TV partners and with RSN’s only able to televise playoff games in the first two rounds, Comcast SportsNet may not be able to fully take advantage of its ratings momentum in the postseason.
And if the Celtics go deep into the playoffs or go to the finals, expect their national appearances which were 7 this season, to increase significantly next season.
