The Oklahoma City Thunder TV ratings are down 51% this year, according to Sports Business Daily and The Athletic.
Oklahoma City’s rating this year is 3.16. Despite the drop, it’s still a top-five team in the league, according to a graphic tweeted by Ethan Strauss.
Part of the reason this drop has happened could be on-court, despite the Thunder having a near-identical All-Star break record (34-21 this season vs. 37-20 last year). Without Russell Westbrook and Paul George, there isn’t the same amount of star power. Fans aren’t risking out on missing a 40-point triple-double if they take a night off watching.
A bigger reason is likely the contract dispute between Fox Sports Oklahoma and the Dish Network. Even some fans who do want to watch every night are unable to.
A third reason, and maybe the most likely, remains a mystery. The drop is happening league-wide.
Fourteen teams’ ratings dropped at the All-Star break, according to the SBJ.
The San Antonio Spurs have the best rating at 3.51. In 2017-18, the Spurs had the third-highest rating — at 6.45.
There are lots of theories for why ratings are dropping. There are more cord-cutters and people watching live streams.
Kevin Durant is injured. Steph Curry is injured. Zion Williamson missed half the season.
LeBron James is on a team that naturally has a big market, so the Cleveland Cavaliers ratings have decreased more the last two years than the Los Angeles Lakers are up.
Maybe viewers dislike the style of play today enough that they’re content just watching game highlights. Maybe there’s too much stoppage with foul calls.
Point is, ratings are down, as the SBJ found, and the Thunder were not spared.