The 2012 NBA Finals got off to the best start since Allen Iverson stepped over Tyronn Lue eleven years ago.
Game 1 of the Heat/Thunder NBA Finals drew a 9.9 final rating and 16.195 million viewers on ABC Tuesday night, up 10% in ratings and 7% in viewership from Mavericks/Heat Game 1 last year (9.0, 15.171M), and up 15% in both measures compared to Celtics/Lakers Game 1 in 2010 (8.6, 14.088M).
Tuesday’s game ranks as the highest rated Game 1 of the NBA Finals since Nets/Lakers on NBC in 2002 (10.6), and the most-viewed since Sixers/Lakers on NBC in 2001 (18.577M).
The previous record for an NBA Finals opener on ABC was held by Pistons/Lakers Game 1 in 2004 (9.8, 15.352M). Pistons/Lakers currently ranks as the highest rated NBA Finals ever on ABC.
Excluding series-clinching games, Game 1 ranks as the eighth-most viewed NBA Finals telecast on ABC since the network resumed airing games in the 2002-03 season. Game 1 drew more viewers than every single game of the 2009, 2007, 2006, and 2003 series on ABC.
Game 1 drew a 6.9 rating among adults 18-49, up 6% from last year (6.5), and up 21% from 2010 (5.7). The 6.9 is the highest rating in the demo for Game 1 of the NBA Finals since 2004 (7.0).
In addition, the 6.9 is the highest for any television program since the April 2 Kentucky/Kansas NCAA Tournament title game (7.6). That includes such heavyweight events as the season finale of ‘American Idol’ on FOX (6.4).
In other demo notes, Game 1 was the highest rated ever on ABC among adults 18-34 (7.0), topping the previous record set last year (6.8). Game 1 was also the highest rated ever on ABC among men 18-34 (9.0, tying last year) and teens 12-17 (4.6).
Ratings/Viewership For Game 1 of the NBA Finals
Past decade
| Year | Date | Away | Home | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) | A18-49 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Tue., 6/12/12 | Heat | Thunder | ABC |
9.9
|
16,195
|
6.9
|
| 2011 | Tue., 5/31/11 | Mavs | Heat | ABC |
9.0
|
15,171
|
6.5
|
| 2010 | Thu., 6/3/10 | Celtics | Lakers | ABC |
8.6
|
14,088
|
5.7
|
| 2009 | Thu., 6/4/09 | Magic | Lakers | ABC |
7.8
|
13,042
|
5.4
|
| 2008 | Thu., 6/5/08 | Lakers | Celtics | ABC |
8.7
|
13,384
|
5.4
|
| 2007 | Thu., 6/7/07 | Cavs | Spurs | ABC |
6.3
|
9,206
|
3.7
|
| 2006 | Thu., 6/8/06 | Heat | Mavs | ABC |
7.8
|
11,514
|
4.8
|
| 2005 | Thu., 6/9/05 | Pistons | Spurs | ABC |
7.2
|
10,569
|
4.4
|
| 2004 | Sun., 6/6/04 | Pistons | Lakers | ABC |
9.8
|
15,360
|
7.0
|
| 2003 | Wed., 6/4/03 | Nets | Spurs | ABC |
6.4
|
9,604
|
4.0
|
| 2002 | Wed., 6/5/02 | Nets | Lakers | NBC |
10.6
|
15,850
|
6.9
|
(Tuesday’s numbers from ESPN Media Zone and ABC Media Net)
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