Via a team press release, the Sun Sports telecast of the Orlando Magic's victory against the New York Knicks last night posted the highest ratings of any Magic game broadcast on that network since a January 30th, 2002 loss to the L.A. Lakers. The broadcast had a 4.7 average rating in the Orlando/Daytona Beach/Melbourne market for approximately 68,731 homes, and peaked from 9:30-9:45, when approximately 85,732 homes tuned in.
The broadcast performance indicates a strong upward trend for Sun Sports, which reports viewership for Magic games broadcast on that network has risen 30 percent this season over last through the same number of telecasts.
The Knicks' acquisition of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups last week, coupled with the free-agent signing of Amar'e Stoudemire, has made them a must-watch team. Last night's game was the first meeting between the Knicks and Magic since the trade with the Denver Nuggets which brought Anthony and Billups to the Big Apple.
Orlando plays New York twice more this month, with New York hosting both contests at Madison Square Garden.