Heading into game 5 this Sunday in Boston the betting line is hot as are hoop viewers glued to the play-by-play. The ratings have been registering numbers of top performance. Follow the numbers:
2010 NBA Finals Game 4: The NBA Finals on ABC – GM 4 (9:03-11:50pm, ET) out delivered its primetime competitors to stand as Thursday’s #1 TV program in Total Viewers and across each of the key Adult demos (AD18-34/AD18-49/AD25-54). It was the 4th consecutive broadcast for the 2010 NBA Finals to finish as the #1 TV show of the night in viewers and key adults. The Boston Celtics defeated the LA Lakers by a score of 96-89, tying the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
Game 4 registered as the biggest draw yet in overall viewership for the 2010 NBA Finals and as the most-watched for any NBA Championship game in 2 years – since the series-clinching Game 6 of the 2008 Celtics-Lakers Series (on 6/17/08). Beyond that, the NBA Game attracted the largest audience for any non-Olympic summer telecast on any network since the same date 2 years ago.
In viewers and young adults, it was the best Game 4 for the NBA Championship Series in 6 years and the second-highest-ever on ABC – since Game 4 of the 2004 series on 6/13/04.
Based on 4-game averages, the 2010 NBA Championship Series continues to generate the strongest numbers in 6 years (since 2004), its 2nd-highest-ever on ABC in both Total Viewers and Adults 18-49.
2010 NBA Finals Game 3: “NBA Finals on ABC – GM 3” (9:04 – 11:55 p.m., ET) The “NBA Finals on ABC – GM 3” topped stiff competition during primetime, including Fox’s season finale of “Glee” and NBC’s “America’s Got Talent,” to finish as Tuesday’s No. 1 TV program in Total Viewers (16.0 million) and across each of the key adult demographics: A18-34 (7.0/22), A18-49 (6.7/19) and A25-54 (6.6/18). It was the 3rd broadcast in a row for the 2010 NBA Finals to qualify as the evening’s highest-rated television program in viewers and key adults. The LA Lakers beat the Boston Celtics by a score of 91-84, to lead the best-of-seven series 2-1.
In viewers and young adults, it was the biggest Game 3 for the NBA Championship Series in 6 years and the second-highest-ever on ABC – since Game 3 of the 2004 series on 6/10/04. In addition, it was the highest-rated-ever Game 3 on ABC among Men 18-34, Men 18-49 and Teens 12-17.
2010 NBA Finals Game 2: Sunday Night (7:00-11:00 p.m. – “Fast Affiliate Ratings”) Driven by Game 2 coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals, featuring the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers, ABC turned in a convincing win on Sunday evening. According to Nielsen’s preliminary time-period-based “Fast Affiliate” ratings, ABC outpaced its nearest competition during primetime by 4.5 million viewers (11.1 million vs. 6.6 million – CBS) and by 137% in Adults 18-49 (4.5/13 vs. 1.9/6 – NBC). In Adults 18-49, ABC beat the combined delivery of CBS, NBC and Fox on the evening (4.5/13 vs. 4.4/13). It was ABC’s 2nd consecutive night to claim a dominant primetime victory with coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals.
“NBA Finals on ABC – GM 2” (8:04 – 11:04 p.m., ET “Fast National Ratings”) According to Nielsen’s special-ordered program-based “Fast National” ratings, the “NBA Finals on ABC – GM 2” overcame its competitors during primetime, including NBC’s broadcast of the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals, to qualify as Sunday night’s No. 1 TV program in Total Viewers (15.5 million) and across each of the key adult demographics: A18-34 (6.4 rating), A18-49 (6.3 rating) and A25-54 (6.3 rating). It was the 2nd straight telecast for the 2009 NBA Finals to stand as the night’s top-rated television program in viewers and key adults. The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers by a score of 101-96, tying the best-of-seven series at 1-1
ABC’s Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals posted solid year-to-year increases in Total Viewers (+1.4 million) and Adults 18-49 (+9%), over the second game of the 2009 Lakers-Orlando Finals (14.1 million & 5.8/17 on 6/7/09). In viewers and young adults, it was the strongest Game 2 for the NBA Championship Series in 6 years and the second-highest-ever on ABC – since Game 2 of the 2004 series on 6/8/04. ABC began carriage of the NBA Finals starting in 2003.
2010 NBA Finals Game 1: Thursday Night (8:00-11:00 p.m.) With coverage of the 2010 NBA Finals Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, ABC posted a dominant win on Thursday night, beating its nearest competition (Fox) by 2.0 million viewers (10.7 million vs. 8.7 million) and by 24% in Adults 18-49 (4.1/14 vs. 3.3/11).
In Total Viewers and Adults 18-49 (tie), ABC tallied its strongest Thursday with summer programming since September 2005 – since 9/8/05.
The Net produced its most-watched-ever opening night with the NBA Finals. It was also ABC’s highest-ever opening night delivery with the NBA Championship Series in Adults 18-34 (4.2/15-tie), Men 18-49 (5.4/19-tie), Men 25-54 (5.5/17-tie) and Teens 12-17 (3.2/13).
(source: ABC)
