According to Sports Business Daily Journal, the Orlando Magic had the second biggest increase in local TV ratings to this point of the season. Magic games on FOX Sports Florida are up 83 percent at the season’s midpoint.
The defending champion Golden State Warriors have seen their local TV ratings more than double this season with an 8.42 average rating on CSN Bay Area. The Warriors’ 120 percent spike in ratings is easily the largest increase in the league.
AVG. RATING Change in NBA Local TV Ratings
| TEAM | RSN | CHANGE* (AVG. RATING) |
| TOP 5 | ||
| Golden State Warriors | CSN Bay Area | +120% (8.42) |
| Orlando Magic | FS Florida | +83% (1.37) |
| Philadelphia 76ers | CSN Philadelphia | +45% (1.07) |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | FS Ohio | +36% (9.44) |
| New York Knicks | MSG | +31% (2.17) |
| BOTTOM 5 | ||
| Chicago Bulls | CSN Chicago | -29% (3.52) |
| Dallas Mavericks | FS Southwest | -29% (1.66) |
| Atlanta Hawks | FS Southeast | -33% (1.28) |
| New Orleans Pelicans | FS New Orleans | -33% (1.11) |
| Washington Wizards | CSN Mid-Atlantic | -34% (0.96) |
Clearly more people in Orlando are more interested in the Magic this season than they have been in the post-Dwight Howard era. The Magic’s most watched game this season to date was against the Rockets and Dwight Howard back on Dec. 23, 2015.
The question in the second half of the season is if the viewers will stay with the Magic with Orlando City right around the corner and the NCAA Tournament among other key sporting events competing for attention.
How long the Magic can stay in the playoff race could determine how long the Orlando viewers keep watching the Magic. The Magic have lost 16 of their last 20 games and have fallen 3.5 games out of the Playoffs. Perhaps even the Magic’s trade of Tobias Harris will pique some interest with new players.
Ultimately, winning is likely to keep viewers watching games in the numbers they have this year.
