The NBA continues to put up strong numbers on ABC.
Sunday’s Game 4 of between the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz drew a 4.8 overnight on ABC, up 41% from a 3.4 for Pistons/Bulls last year. The 4.8 is tied as the highest overnight of the playoffs; Game 1 of the series drew the same rating last Sunday.
Lakers/Jazz had the highest overnight of any sporting event for the weekend, beating NASCAR on Saturday night and easily outdistancing the final round of The Players Championship.
The ratings news was not all good for ABC. On Saturday night, Celtics/Cavaliers Game 3 drew a 3.9 overnight, down 5% from a 4.1 for Suns/Spurs last year.
Through eight telecasts, ABC is averaging a 4.1 overnight rating for NBA Playoff games, up 11% from last year.
Overnight ratings for NBA Playoff games on ABC.
3.7: Suns/Spurs Game 1 (Sat., 4/19, 3 PM ABC); up 32% from ’07.
3.9: Nuggets/Lakers Game 1 (Sun., 4/20, 3 PM ABC); even with ’07.
3.0: Cavaliers/Wizards Game 4 (Sun., 4/27, 1 PM ABC); down 6% from ’07.
4.3: Spurs/Suns Game 4 (Sun., 4/27, 3:30 PM ABC); even with ’07.
4.2: Hawks/Celtics Game 7 (Sun., 5/4, 1 PM ABC); up 40% from ’07.
4.8: Jazz/Lakers Game 1 (Sun., 5/4, 3:30 PM ABC); up 7% from ’07.
3.9: Celtics/Cavaliers Game 3 (Sat., 5/10, 8:15 PM ABC); down 5% from ’07.
4.8: Lakers/Jazz Game 4 (Sun., 5/11, 3:30 PM ABC); up 41% from ’07.
