The 2009 NBA Finals continues to deliver solid numbers for ABC.
Game 3 of the Lakers/Magic NBA Finals drew an 8.6/15 final rating and 14.2 million viewers on ABC Tuesday night, down 7% and 2%, respectively, from a 9.2 and 14.5 million for Celtics/Lakers Game 3 in ’08.
Ratings peaked at an 11.8/25 from 11:45-midnight.
Though down slightly from last year, Lakers/Magic Game 3 outperformed other recent Game 3s in the NBA Finals, topping Spurs/Cavaliers Game 3 in ’07 by 34% in ratings (vs. a 6.4) and 50% in viewers (vs. 9.5 million), and beating Mavericks/Heat Game 3 by 8% in ratings (vs. an 8.0) and 16% in viewers (vs. 12.2 million).
Through three games, the Lakers/Magic NBA Finals is averaging an 8.2 rating and 13.8 million viewers on ABC, down 7% in ratings but even in viewership compared to an 8.8 and 13.8 million through three games of Celtics/Lakers last year.
The 2009 NBA Finals is currently outpacing the 2008 World Series by 5% in ratings (8.2 vs 7.8) and 11% in viewers (13.8 mil vs. 12.4 mil). On the flip side, the 8.2 rating puts the NBA Finals behind the Bowl Championship Series (10.2 average), Final Four (9.0 average), the Kentucky Derby (9.8), and the final round of The Masters (8.3).
Like Games 1 and 2, Game 3 was the most-viewed television program of the night. The first three games of the NBA Finals mark the three most-viewed television broadcasts of the month of June.
Ratings for the first three games of the NBA Finals since ’95.
| Year | Series | Gm. 1 | Gm. 2 | Gm. 3 | Thru G3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 (ABC) | LAL 2, ORL 1 |
7.8/14
|
8.2/14
|
8.6/15
|
8.2/14 |
| 2008 (ABC) | BOS 2, LAL 1 | 8.8/16 | |||
| 2007 (ABC) | SAS 3, CLE 0 | 6.1/11 | |||
| 2006 (ABC) | DAL 2, MIA 1 | 7.9/14 | |||
| 2005 (ABC) | SAS 2, DET 1 | 7.1/13 | |||
| 2004 (ABC) | DET 2, LAL 1 | 10.4/18 | |||
| 2003 (ABC) | SAS 2, NJN 1 | 6.2/11 | |||
| 2002 (NBC) | LAL 3, NJN 0 | 10.0/19 | |||
| 2001 (NBC) | LAL 2, PHI 1 | 12.3/22 | |||
| 2000 (NBC) | LAL 2, IND 1 | 10.4/18 | |||
| 1999 (NBC) | SAS 2, NYK 1 | 11.1/20 | |||
| 1998 (NBC) | CHI 2, UTA 1 | 17.0/30 | |||
| 1997 (NBC) | CHI 2, UTA 1 | 15.0/27 | |||
| 1996 (NBC) | CHI 3, SEA 0 |
15.5/29
|
|||
| 1995 (NBC) | HOU 3, ORL 0 | 13.6/– |
