The lone Celtics/Bulls game on ABC helped boost the network’s playoff ratings last weekend.
ABC averaged a 3.4 rating for an NBA Playoff doubleheader last Sunday, up 13% from a 3.0 for last year’s comparable games.
In particular, the double-overtime Game 4 between the Celtics and Bulls drew a 3.3 rating, up 38% from both Cavaliers/Wizards Game 4 last year and Bulls/Heat Game 4 in ’07. The 3.3 is the highest rating for an NBA Playoff game in the 1:00 PM window since last year’s Hawks/Celtics Game 7 drew a 3.5.
Thanks in part to the strong lead-in from Celtics/Bulls, ratings held steady for the less-than-exciting Game 4 between the Cavaliers and Pistons. The Cavaliers’ series-clinching win drew a 3.5 final rating, even with Suns/Spurs last year, and up 6% from Suns/Lakers in ’07.
Through four games, ABC is averaging a 3.1 rating for NBA Playoff coverage, down 3% from a 3.2 through four games last year, but up 15% from a 2.7 through the same point in ’07.
Source: ESPN
