Through the first two and a half weeks of the abbreviated season, ratings for the NBA on ESPN have risen by double-digits compared to last year. Through January 11, ESPN has averaged a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.477 million viewers for NBA regular season games (six telecasts), up 23% in ratings and 20% in viewership from the comparable time period — Christmas Day through January 11 — last season (1.3, 2.065M, six telecasts). Compared to last season’s full October-January average (1.4, 2.182M), ESPN’s telecasts are up 14% in both ratings and viewership.The 2011-12 NBA regular season was shortened to 66 games due to a five-month owners’ lockout of players, the fourth owner-imposed lockout in league history and the second to result in the cancellation of games, reported by Sports Media Watch.