For the first time since the 1995-96 season, ratings increased for NBA games on broadcast television.
ABC averaged a 2.2 rating and 3.1 million viewers for 19 games, up 10% from a 2.0 and 2.8 million viewers last year. Excluding Christmas, the network’s highest rated game was Mavericks/Lakers on March 2, which drew a 3.0.
The increase makes the NBA one of only two major broadcast sports properties — excluding the NFL — to see increasing regular season ratings in the past three years. Ratings for the MLB on FOX have dropped in four consecutive years, while NASCAR ratings on broadcast have dropped in each of the past two years.
The NHL recently completed its season with an 11% jump in ratings on NBC, thanks primarily to the 2.2 rating for the Winter Classic on January 1.
Avg. ratings for NBA on ABC (regular season).
2002-03: 2.6 (14 games)
2003-04: 2.4 (18 games)
2004-05: 2.3 (18 games)
2005-06: 2.2 (20 games)
2006-07: 2.0 (19 games)
2007-08: 2.2 (19 games)
