ABC did not do particularly well with NBA coverage on Super Bowl Sunday.
Last week’s Magic/Celtics game drew a 1.6 final rating and 2.5 million viewers on ABC, down 11% in ratings from Cavaliers/Pistons last year (1.8), but even with Mavericks/Pistons in 2008.
Magic/Celtics is tied with Nuggets/Spurs on Jan. 31 as the lowest rated NBA telecast of the season on ABC.
Sunday’s game on ABC barely outdrew Nuggets/Lakers on ESPN (1.5, 2.3 mil) and Heat/Cavaliers on TNT (1.4, 2.2 mil) days earlier.
Ratings/viewership for NBA on ABC during 2009-10 season
| Date | Game | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., 12/25/09 | Celtics 86 | ABC |
3.3
|
5,855
|
| Magic 77 | ||||
| Cavaliers 102 | ABC |
4.4
|
8,316
|
|
| Lakers 87 | ||||
| Sun., 1/31/10 | Nuggets 103 | ABC |
1.6
|
2,328
|
| Spurs 89 | ||||
| Lakers 90 | ABC |
3.5
|
5,655
|
|
| Celtics 89 | ||||
| Sun., 2/7/10 | Magic 96 | ABC |
1.6
|
2,484
|
| Celtics 89 |
(Nielsen)
