Chicago, IL (April 14, 2011) – Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the NBA Eastern Conference champion Chicago Bulls (who finished the 2010-11 regular season with the NBA's #1 overall record at 62-20), posted massive television ratings increases for the '10-'11 regular season campaign -- a 4.50 household season average rating (approx. 157,617 households watching per game) -- a 90% increase over last season's 2.37 final average -- a 122% increase from the final season average two years ago (2.03) -- and a 157% increase from three years ago (1.75).
The 4.50 final regular season average on Comcast SportsNet is also the highest Bulls regular season average on any Chicago regional sports network in 13 years (since the '97-'98 season). Source for all ratings information is provided by Nielsen Media Research. Note the following additional Comcast SportsNet/Bulls regular season TV ratings highlights from this season:
The Top 18 highest-rated Bulls regular season games in Comcast SportsNet Chicago history have all occurred THIS season (network launched in October of 2004). The all-time highest rated regular season or playoff game in network history to date was posted on March 7 vs. New Orleans (7.21).
16 Bulls telecasts on Comcast SportsNet this season averaged "at least a 5.0 household rating"…in Comcast SportsNet Chicago's six-plus year history, the Bulls have never posted a regular season game that averaged at least a 5.0 rating prior to this season.
28 Bulls telecasts this season averaged "at least a 4.0 household rating"…last season, only two games averaged at least a 4.0 rating.
38 Bulls telecasts this season averaged "at least a 3.0 household rating"…last season, only 12 games averaged at least a 3.0 rating.
Comcast SportsNet also experienced massive year-to-year ratings increases in every key advertiser demo category, including Adults 18-49 (2.2 avg., up 100% from last season) and Adults 25-54 (2.1 avg., up 91% from last season).
In addition to its game ratings success, Comcast SportsNet's Bulls Pre-Game Live ratings finished up 188% compared to last season, while Kia Bulls Post Game Live ratings increased 114%.
Comcast SportsNet will continue its comprehensive coverage of the #1-seeded Chicago Bulls charge throughout the 2011 NBA Playoffs with live coverage of EVERY first round game against the rival Indiana Pacers starting on Sat, April 16 at NOON (Game 1). Additional games include: Mon, April 18 at 8:30 PM (Game 2), Thu, April 21 at 6:00 PM (Game 3), Sat, April 23 at 1:30 PM (Game 4), along with Games 5-7 (if nec.).
Bulls legend Scottie Pippen joins the always-entertaining announcing tandem of Neil Funk and Stacey King for every Bulls playoff game on Comcast SportsNet.