Chicago, IL (March 8, 2011) - Comcast SportsNet, the television home for the most games and most comprehensive coverage of the NBA Central Division first place Chicago Bulls, delivered its highest Bulls game rating in network history last evening (March 7) -- a 7.21 household rating for its live coverage of the Bulls home contest against the New Orleans Hornets.
For last night's 85-77 victory by the Bulls, their ninth-straight win at home, Comcast SportsNet attracted approx. 252,538 households for the entire length of the game and posted a 10.02 peak rating during the 9:15 PM quarter-hour (close to 351,000 households). The 7.21 single game ratings record on Comcast SportsNet shatters the network's previous all-time high set on Apr. 30, 2009 for the historic NBA Playoffs First Round, Game 6 Triple-OT Bulls victory over the Boston Celtics (6.35 household rating). The previous all-time "regular season" high occurred earlier this season on December 21 vs. Philadelphia (5.70). Source for all ratings information is provided by Nielsen Media Research overnights.
Comcast SportsNet was also the #1-highest rated television network in the Chicago market last night for all TV households for the entire length of the game (7:00-9:30 PM), along with being #1 for the entire game in the demos of Men 18-34, Men 18-49 & Men 25-54. In the key advertising demo of Adults 25-54, Comcast SportsNet was the #1 most-watched network in the market from 9:00-9:30 PM.
So far this season, the Bulls on Comcast SportsNet are currently averaging a 4.22 household rating, a year-to-date increase of 66% compared to last season through 33 telecasts. In addition, Kia Bulls Post Game Live ratings are up 96% year-to-date. Comcast SportsNet's next Bulls telecast airs tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 9 on CSN+ as the Bulls travel to face the Charlotte Bobcats (live coverage begins at 5:30 PM on Bulls Pre-Game Live; tip-off at 6:00 PM featuring Neil Funk and Stacey King on the call).