Highest Average Season Household Rating Since 2008-09
Average Ratings Also Up in Every Demo Compared to Last Season
NEW YORK, April 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MSG Networks' New York Rangers average Nielsen household rating for the regular season was up 36% compared to the 2010-11 regular season average (0.99 HH vs. 0.73 HH). The household rating was also the highest regular season rating for the Rangers since the 2008-09 season when they scored a 1.05 household rating. MSG Media is part of The Madison Square Garden Company (Nasdaq:MSG), a fully-integrated sports, media and entertainment business.
The Rangers average ratings on MSG Networks were also up in every demo across the board compared to last season, including a 150% increase in the key demo of young adults ages 21 to 34 (0.65 A21-34 vs. 0.26 A21-34).
The Rangers drop the puck on the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday, April 12 when they host the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden at 7:00 p.m. MSG, which will exclusively carry every Rangers game in the first round in the New York region, begins coverage at 6:00 p.m. and will follow the game with an hour-long postgame show. MSG Networks' comprehensive weekly hockey show, "HOCKEY NIGHT LIVE," makes its postseason debut Saturday night and continues throughout the playoffs.
As the exclusive local television home of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres, New York Liberty and New York Red Bulls, MSG Networks telecasts nearly 700 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 recently earned 16 New York Emmy Awards, the most in the New York region for the third year in a row. Over the past five years, MSG Networks has won a total of 79 New York Emmy Awards, which is also more than any New York station or network in that time.
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 (Nasdaq:MSG), 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. 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 the Company'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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