Opposite Game 1 of the World Series, ESPN’s season-opening NBA doubleheader stumbled in the ratings Wednesday night.
ESPN drew a 0.8 U.S. rating and 1.2 million viewers for Hornets/Spurs on Wednesday night, down 27% in ratings and 21% in viewership from a 1.1 and 1.6 million for Suns/Spurs last year.
Meanwhile, the Jazz/Nuggets nightcap drew a 1.1 U.S. rating and 1.6 million viewers, off 21% and 22%, respectively, from a 1.4 and 2.1 million for last year’s Lakers/Clippers game.
As mentioned before, Wednesday’s doubleheader aired opposite Game 1 of the Phillies/Yankees World Series. However, the first game of last year’s doubleheader (Suns/Spurs) also aired opposite the World Series (the conclusion of Phillies/Rays Game 5).
Source: ESPN
