Two uncompetitive NBA games drew less than impressive numbers on ABC last week.
A doubleheader featuring Spurs/Cavaliers and Suns/Mavericks averaged a 1.9 rating on ABC last Sunday, up 6% from a 1.8 for last year’s comparable Warriors/Hornets and Mavericks/Suns double-dip last year, but the lowest rating for an NBA doubleheader on ABC since March of last year.
In particular, the early Spurs/Cavaliers game drew a 1.9/5 final rating, up 36% from a 1.4 for Warriors/Hornets in ’08. Meanwhile, the Mavericks’ trouncing of the Suns in the late window drew a 1.9/4, off 14% from a 2.2 for the same match-up last year.
From December 25 to March 8, ABC averaged a 2.8 rating for NBA telecasts, up 12% from a 2.5 during the same period in ’08. Since March 8, NBA games have averaged a 1.7, flat with last year’s comparable games. During that span, only two games on ABC have seen increased ratings, and both involved the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Heading into the final Sunday of the regular season, ABC is averaging a 2.4 for NBA telecasts, up 9% from a 2.2 through the same point last year, and the highest average for the NBA on broadcast since the 2003-04 season.
