The Great Canadian Ratings Report: Toronto Raptors embark on a record television run

While the Toronto Raptors are being painted in some corners as a team that just can't take advantage of its chances on the court, there's no denying that they are making the most of their time in the television spotlight.

Through their first four games against the Miami Heat in the NBA conference semifinals, the Raptors are averaging 1.09 million viewers per game on TSN and Sportsnet. To put that in perspective, it's almost five times what the team averaged during the regular season and more than 30 per cent above what they averaged during the first-round win over the Indiana Pacers.

These are heady numbers for basketball in Canada. In fact, they're approaching Hockey Night In Canada numbers -- at least in these Canada-free playoffs.

Three of the four games against Miami have topped the million mark, with Monday's loss topping the list at 1,245,000 on TSN. This follows a record rating in Game 7 of the Indiana series (1.53 million.)

What has to be encouraging to Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is that these kinds of audiences might not be a flash in the pan. Once a team has made it past the first round, it takes on a new legitimacy -- something last year's team failed to achieve.

If the Raptors go on to the next round, those numbers will continue to grow -- and so will a fan base that's likely to come back next fall.

Creating that kind of loyalty is something Raptors management can see just by looking down the street. Despite a disappointing start, the Toronto Blue Jays are continuing to bring in big TV audiences on Sportsnet. Already, the team has topped the million mark six times (including once last week) and finished April 58 per cent ahead of where they were last season.

Here are the most-watched sports events on English-language television from the past weekend, according to Numeris overnight ratings:

1. NHL, Penguins at Capitals, Saturday, CBC-Sportsnet: 1,665,000

2. NBA, Raptors at Heat, Saturday, Sportsnet-Sportsnet One: 1,060,000

3. MLB, Dodgers at Blue Jays, Friday, Sportsnet: 1,030,000

4. MLB, Dodgers at Blue Jays, Sunday, Sportsnet One: 895,000

5. NHL, Predators at Sharks, Saturday, CBC-Sportsnet: 836,000

6. NHL, Lightning at Islanders, Friday, CBC: 684,000

7. MLB, Dodgers at Blue Jays, Saturday, Sportsnet One: 578,000

8. NHL, Islanders at Lightning, Sunday, Sportsnet: 387,000 (NBC audience not measured)

9. PGA, Wells Fargo Championship final round, Sunday, Global: 221,000

10. NHL, Blues at Stars, Saturday, Sportsnet: 214,000 (NBC audience not measured)

11. Auto racing, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Sunday, TSN: 198,000 (Fox audience not measured)

12. NBA, Spurs at Thunder, Sunday, Sportsnet-Sportsnet One: 189,000

13. PGA, Wells Fargo Championship third round, Saturday, Global: 171,000

14. NBA, Spurs at Thunder, Friday, TSN: 164,000

15. Hockey, Canada vs. U.S., Friday, TSN: 130,000

16. Soccer, Southampton at Tottenham, Sunday, Sportsnet: 124,000

17. Hockey, Norway vs. Switzerland, Sunday,TSN: 114,000

18. Horse racing, Kentucky Derby, Saturday, TSN: 113,00 (NBC audience not measured)

19. MLB, Red Sox at Yankees, Sunday, TSN: 112,000

20. Hockey, Latvia vs. Czech Republic, Saturday, TSN: 111,000

21. Soccer, Dallas at Toronto FC, Saturday, TSN: 107,000

22. Soccer, Manchester United at Norwich, Saturday, TSN: 103,000

23. NBA, Cavaliers at Hawks, Friday, TSN: 104,000

24. Soccer, English Premier League games, Saturday, TSN: 102,000

THREE TO WATCH

Battle of the inconsistents: If there's anything that can come close to matching the thrill of a Game 7, it's a Game 5 in a tied series. The wildly inconsistent Toronto Raptors have a great opportunity to use home-court advantage to get the edge on the equally inconsistent Miami Heat. Throw in the anticipated reaction to Dwyane (Anthem, what anthem?) Wade and it should be a fun night. Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET (TSN.)

All the marbles: The only thing better than a good Game 5 is a real Game 7, which is what the NHL is offering in its two Western semifinals. The first goes Wednesday (8 ET, Sportsnet) as Dallas and St. Louis battle out. The second goes Thursday (TBD) between Nashville and San Jose.

On track for Rio: If you want to get an early look at the world's best track and field athletes prior to the Rio Olympics, the Diamond League offers a great opportunity Saturday (4 p.m. ET, CBC.)