Reruns, Game Shows Top Freedom Bowl TV Ratings

Southern California television viewers preferred game shows and reruns of “Married . . . With Children” and “Hunter” to the Freedom Bowl, but Tulsa’s 28-17 victory over San Diego State did draw a larger rating than the Clippers-Boston Celtics game, the other sporting event on broadcast television Monday.

According to figures released Tuesday by the A.C. Nielsen Co., the Freedom Bowl telecast on KCAL Channel 9 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. drew a 4.6 rating, meaning it was seen in about 224,000 area households. Each rating point is equivalent to 48,751 households.

By comparison, a rerun of “Hunter” from 6 to 7 p.m. on KTLA Channel 5 received a 7.4, and a “Married . . . With Children” repeat from 7 to 7:30 p.m. on KTTV Channel 11, a 10.5. “Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” on KCBS Channel 2 from 7 to 8 p.m. had a 9.1 and 10.4, respectively.

The Clippers’ 97-86 loss to the Celtics had a 3.4 rating, although it began 90 minutes after the Freedom Bowl and was on at a time when more viewers were at home.

On a night when most prime-time programming was reruns, the most-watched show locally was the season premiere of “Davis Rules” on KCBS Channel 2 from 8 to 8:30 p.m., which had a 13.1 rating.