NEWS
"Linsanity" Drives Viewers to MSG Network
Knicks Average Household Rating Up 36% Since Jeremy Lin Was Inserted Into the Starting Lineup
Knicks Season-to-Date Average Up 66% Compared to Last Season
New York, NY (February 9, 2012) - "Linsanity" has dribbled out of Madison Square Garden and into New Yorkers' homes. Since New York Knicks sudden sensation Jeremy Lin took over the starting point guard position on February 6, the team's average Nielsen household rating on MSG Network has jumped 36% (2.55 HH) compared to the season average (1.88 HH). With Lin in the starting lineup the past two games, resulting in two Knicks wins, the team has scored household ratings of 2.68 (February 6 vs. Utah) and 2.41 (February 8 at Washington).
Lin's play and the Knicks' current three-game winning streak have also spurred a 66% increase in the average season-to-date household rating compared to the first 22 games on MSG Network last season (1.88 HH vs. 1.13 HH).
Lin and the Knicks face the Los Angeles Lakers tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden. At 7:00 p.m., MSG Network will celebrate the rivalry with the "Knicks Blue Carpet presented by Chase" special, a star-studded blue carpet show featuring interviews with former Knicks players and celebrity Knicks fans, including Super Bowl Champion New York Giants Justin Tuck and Brandon Jacobs; supermodel Kate Upton; actors Dylan McDermott, Billy Crudup and Chase Crawford; and NBC's Al Roker. Bill Pidto, Alan Hahn and Kelly Tripucka will host the show from MSG Studios while Tina Cervasio and Jill Martin walk the blue carpet.
At 7:30 p.m., Tripucka and Hahn will be joined by Al Trautwig in studio for the "Knicks Game Night" pre-game show. Knicks vs. Lakers tips at 8:00 p.m. with Spero Dedes, Walt 'Clyde' Frazier and special guest Bernard King courtside. Following the conclusion of the game, the "Knicks Post-Game Show" takes over with Trautwig, Tripucka and Hahn back in the studio to wrap up the game with highlights and interviews.
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. 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.
Contacts:
Dan Schoenberg
212-465-6367
dan.schoenberg@msg.com
Brian Fisher
212-465-6754
brian.fisher@msg.com
