Season-to-date Nielsen Household Rating Up 16% Through First 32 Games
on MSG Networks
Last Four Games' Average Household Rating 55% Higher Than Current Season Average
Monday's Game Against the Islanders Scored a 1.60 Household Rating
to Tie the Season High
NEW YORK, Dec. 29, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Through 32 games on MSG Networks, Rangers telecasts have recorded a 16% increase in the average Nielsen household rating (0.85 HH vs. 0.73 HH) compared to 2010-11. Monday's 3-0 win over the rival Islanders scored a 1.60 HH rating to tie the current season high set November 29 when the Rangers defeated the Penguins.
In addition, the last four Rangers games on MSG Network all delivered a 1.13 HH rating or greater, with each game delivering a higher HH rating than the previous game (12/20 at Devils – 1.13 HH; 12/22 vs. Islanders – 1.16 HH; 12/23 vs. Flyers – 1.37 HH; and 12/26 vs. Islanders – 1.60 HH). The average rating for the past four games is a 1.32 HH, which is 55% higher than the current season-to-date average (0.85 HH).
The Rangers are tied for third in the NHL with 48 points and are in first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 22-9-4 on the season (11-3-2 at Madison Square Garden). The team travels to Florida to face the Panthers on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (coverage starts with Rangers Game Night at 7:00 p.m.) before playing the Flyers in the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on January 2 (special MSG Network pre-game show starting at 12:00 p.m.).
As the exclusive local television home of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, New York Liberty and New York Red Bulls, MSG Networks telecasts nearly 400 live professional games per year. MSG Networks also telecasts 150 live college basketball games and 50 live college football games from top national conferences (SEC, Pac 12, Big 12), as well as other award-winning original programming. MSG Networks has won 63 New York Emmy Awards over the last four years, more than any New York station or network.
About MSG Media
MSG Media is a leader in production and content development for multiple distribution platforms, including content originating from MSG's venues. MSG Media consists of the MSG Networks (MSG, MSG Plus, MSG HD and MSG Plus HD) regional sports networks and the Fuse Networks (Fuse and Fuse HD), a national television network dedicated to music. MSG Media is also responsible for managing interactive initiatives (online, mobile, VOD and iTV) across all business segments. MSG Media is part of The Madison Square Garden Company, a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business. The company is comprised of three business segments: MSG Sports, MSG Media and MSG Entertainment, which are strategically aligned to work together to drive the company's overall business, which is built on a foundation of iconic venues and compelling content that the company creates, produces, presents and/or distributes through its programming networks and other media assets. MSG Sports consists of owning and operating sports franchises, including the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL), the New York Liberty (WNBA), and the Connecticut Whale (AHL). MSG Sports also features the presentation of a wide variety of live sporting events including professional boxing, college basketball, track and field and tennis, as well as MSG Action Sports, an action sports and lifestyle division. MSG Entertainment creates, produces and/or presents a variety of live productions, including the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts other live entertainment events such as concerts, family shows and special events in MSG's diverse collection of venues. These venues include Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, the Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Beacon Theatre, the Chicago Theatre and the Wang Theatre. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com.
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