Orlando continues to be interested in Billy Donovan, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Thursday’s Game Five of the Western Conference Finals between the Thunder and Warriors on TNT garnered 131,784 according to Nielsen ratings, which was the most-watched television program of the night in Central Florida.
Thunder-Warriors beat CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, which usually dominates the ratings on Thursday nights, drew 123,508 viewers.
Rounding out the top five TV programs the Thunder-Warriors beat included Bones on FOX with 79,676, The O’Reilly Factor on FOX News Channel with 72,849 and Life in Pieces on CBS with 64,081.
The NBA playoffs ranked first in the month of May in Central Florida with viewers ages 18-49. Keep in mind the Orlando Magic were not involved in this year’s playoffs.
Game Four of the Thunder-Warriors series on Tuesday night was the third most-watched television program in Central Florida with 108,418 viewers, trailing only Dancing with the Stars. Dancing with the Stars concluded its season that night by drawing 167,044 viewers.
The Thunder-Warriors series has been the preference of Central Florida of the two Conference finals. Game Four of the Cleveland Cavaliers-Toronto Raptors Eastern Conference Finals series generated 89,060 viewers which was a similar number for Game Five of the series on Wednesday night.
It should not come as big of a surprise the Western Conference Finals is being watched more in Central Florida then the Eastern Conference Finals. The Thunder have former Gators head coach Billy Donovan in the series and the Warriors have become a ratings bonanza nationally, which has included Central Florida.
The Golden State Warriors game at Amway Center on Feb. 25 against the Orlando Magic was the 2nd most watched Magic game in Central Florida this season on FOX Sports Florida. The Warriors’ first round series against the Houston Rockets was the most watched 1st round series in Central Florida.
Orlando City-themed bar planned for Downtown
Plans have been submitted to build an Orlando City-themed bar on Church Street in the Church Street square area, Kyle Arnold of the Orlando Sentinel reports. The restaurant and bar would be in the old Teele Building across the street from Hamburger Mary’s and Church Street Tavern.
The only thing known are the exterior designs for the building that are intended for the plan. The plans show a lion crest being installed and to change the awnings and roof structure to match the other buildings along the row.
The group that is requesting the plans also redesigned and renovated The Orchid Garden as a wedding venue in the Church Street Ballroom event building.
Victor Oladipo talks about Frank Vogel hire
There were a few Orlando Magic players milling about Monday during the introductory press conference for new coach Frank Vogel.
Vogel noted that Victor Oladipo was getting shots up when he arrived in the Amway Center for the first time and he had the chance to speak to him then. He also shouted out Evan Fournier who was in the back of the room as he has continued to get his work in at the arena this offseason (before his free agency).
Vogel’s hire has been largely praised around the NBA world. But what do the players think?
Victor Oladipo chatted with OrlandoMagic.com’s Dan Savage after the press conference.
“I think he’s a great fit,” Oladipo said. “I’ve pretty much known Frank for a while. Watched him at Indiana. I think he fits perfect. I am looking forward to playing with him.”
Oladipo surmised that his positive disposition along with Vogel’s positive disposition have helped them click even in their limited interactions so far.
[…] beat CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, which usually dominates the ratings on Thursday nights. The Big Bang Theory was a repeat that […]
It was a great game but I’m still upset at OKC for not closing out the series when they had a chance.