Despite declining ratings in each of the past two weeks, the NBA on ABC is on pace for its first ever increase in ratings.
NBA ratings on broadcast have declined every year since 1995-96, when games on NBC averaged a 5.0. Since ABC took over the broadcast rights for the NBA, its highest average rating was a 2.6 in 2002-03. Last year, the network averaged a 2.0 rating — the lowest ever for NBA games on broadcast.
Through last Sunday, ABC is averaging a 2.2 rating for games this season, up 10% from last year. Assuming the final ratings for yesterday’s Raptors/Pistons and Spurs/Lakers doubleheader do not crater from the overnights (1.8 and 2.8, respectively), ABC is almost ensured higher ratings this year.
Overall, the NBA is on pace to have ratings rise across the board this season, a rarity in the post-Michael Jordan era. TNT averaged a 1.1 rating for its NBA coverage, up 10% from last year, and ESPN — which wraps up its regular season slate on Wednesday — is on pace for an increase in ratings as well.
Overnight ratings for the NBA on ABC.
* excluding Christmas
2.3: Celtics/Magic (1/27, 1 PM); down 12% from ’07.
3.4: Cavaliers/Lakers (1/27, 3:30 PM); up 3% from ’07.
2.0: Mavericks/Pistons (2/3, 2:30 PM); down 5% from ’07.
2.6: Spurs/Celtics (2/10, 1 PM); up 8% from ’07.
2.9: Lakers/Heat (2/10, 3:30 PM); down 6% from ’07.
2.4: Pistons/Suns (2/24, 2:30 PM); up 4% from ’07.
2.3: Bulls/Cavaliers (3/2, 1 PM); no comparable game in ’07.
3.4: Mavericks/Lakers (3/2, 3:30 PM); up 42% from ’07.
2.6: Spurs/Suns (3/9, 3:30 PM); up 73% from ’07.
1.8: Hornets/Pistons (3/16, 1 PM); no comparable game in ’07.
2.9: Lakers/Rockets (3/16, 3:30 PM); up 81% from ’07.
1.8: Spurs/Mavericks (3/23, 1 PM); up 50% from ’07.
1.8: Rockets/Spurs (3/30, 1 PM); down 40% from ’07.
2.0: Warriors/Hornets (4/6, 1 PM); down 13% from ’07.
2.9: Mavericks/Suns (4/6, 3:30 PM) down 3% from ’07.
1.8: Raptors/Pistons (4/13, 1 PM); down 5% from ’07.
2.8: Spurs/Lakers (4/13, 3:30 PM); down 3% from ’07.
