All three of the NBA’s television partners have had increases in viewership for the 2010 NBA Playoffs.
Through Tuesday, TNT averaged a 2.1 U.S. rating and 3.2 million viewers for NBA Playoff coverage, even in ratings and up 4% in viewership from the comparable point last year.
Wednesday’s Bucks/Hawks Game 5 drew a 1.8 U.S. rating and 2.5 million viewers on TNT, flat in ratings but down 8% in viewership from Heat/Hawks Game 5 last year. In the nightcap, Jazz/Nuggets Game 5 drew a 2.1 and 3.1 million, up 11% and 14%, respectively, from last year’s Hornets/Nuggets Game 5.
On ESPN, playoff coverage is 1.9 U.S. rating and 2.9 million viewers, up 6% and 13%, respectively, from last year.
Broadcast network ABC is averaging the largest audience, as its four games have averaged a 3.0 and 4.6 million viewers, even in ratings and up 1% in viewership from last year.
Ratings For 2010 NBA Playoffs on TNT, ESPN and ABC Through Wednesday
| Date | Time | Game | # | Net | Rating | vs. ’09 | Viewers | vs. ’09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., 4/17/10 | 3:00 PM | Bulls 83 | 1 | ABC |
2.5
|
14%
|
3,679
|
18%
|
| Cavaliers 96 | ||||||||
| 5:30 PM | Bucks 92 | 1 | ESPN |
1.5
|
—
|
2,160
|
—
|
|
| Hawks 102 | ||||||||
| 8:05 PM | Heat 76 | 1 | ESPN |
2.5
|
47%
|
3,821
|
58%
|
|
| Celtics 85 | ||||||||
| 10:30 PM | Jazz 113 | 1 | ESPN |
1.9
|
-10%
|
2,921
|
-6%
|
|
| Nuggets 126 | ||||||||
| Sun., 4/18/10 | 3:00 PM | Thunder 79 | 1 | ABC |
3.3
|
3%
|
5,132
|
6%
|
| Lakers 87 | ||||||||
| 5:39 PM | Bobcats 89 | 1 | TNT |
2.0
|
11%
|
3,116
|
13%
|
|
| Magic 96 | ||||||||
| 8:18 PM | Spurs 94 | 1 | TNT |
2.5
|
14%
|
3,925
|
22%
|
|
| Mavericks 100 | ||||||||
| 10:53 PM | Blazers 105 | 1 | TNT |
2.0
|
even
|
2,988
|
8%
|
|
| Suns 100 | ||||||||
| Mon., 4/19/10 | 8:05 PM | Bulls 102 | 2 | TNT |
2.6
|
even
|
3,907
|
4%
|
| Cavaliers 112 | ||||||||
| 10:41 PM | Jazz 114 | 2 | TNT |
2.1
|
even
|
3,149
|
6%
|
|
| Nuggets 111 | ||||||||
| Tue., 4/20/10 | 8:06 PM | Heat 77 | 2 | TNT |
1.9
|
-21%
|
2,874
|
-22%
|
| Celtics 106 | ||||||||
| 10:42 PM | Thunder 92 | 2 | TNT |
2.5
|
4%
|
3,741
|
4%
|
|
| Lakers 95 | ||||||||
| Wed., 4/21/10 | 7:06 PM | Bobcats 77 | 2 | TNT |
1.4
|
-26%
|
2,066
|
-29%
|
| Magic 92 | ||||||||
| 9:46 PM | Spurs 102 | 2 | TNT |
2.1
|
5%
|
3,059
|
10%
|
|
| Mavericks 88 | ||||||||
| Thu., 4/22/10 | 7:05 PM | Cavaliers 106 | 3 | TNT |
1.8
|
-18%
|
2,763
|
-19%
|
| Bulls 108 | ||||||||
| 9:48 PM | Lakers 96 | 3 | TNT |
2.5
|
-4%
|
3,934
|
3%
|
|
| Thunder 101 | ||||||||
| Fri., 4/23/10 | 7:00 PM | Celtics 100 | 3 | ESPN |
1.6
|
23%
|
2,386
|
—
|
| Heat 98 | ||||||||
| 9:52 PM | Mavericks 90 | 3 | ESPN |
1.9
|
19%
|
2,820
|
—
|
|
| Spurs 94 | ||||||||
| 10:30 PM | Nuggets 93 | 3 | ESPN2 |
0.9
|
—
|
1,461
|
—
|
|
| Jazz 105 | ||||||||
| Sat., 4/24/10 | 2:00 PM | Magic 90 | 3 | TNT |
1.2
|
-25%
|
1,678
|
-20%
|
| Bobcats 86 | ||||||||
| 4:30 PM | Suns 87 | 4 | TNT |
1.7
|
55%
|
2,429
|
50%
|
|
| Blazers 96 | ||||||||
| 7:00 PM | Hawks 89 | 3 | ESPN |
1.3
|
8%
|
1,945
|
7%
|
|
| Bucks 107 | ||||||||
| 9:35 PM | Lakers 89 | 4 | ESPN |
2.7
|
23%
|
4,163
|
26%
|
|
| Thunder 110 | ||||||||
| Sun., 4/25/10 | 1:00 PM | Celtics 92 | 4 | ABC |
2.6
|
-21%
|
3,913
|
-21%
|
| Heat 101 | ||||||||
| 3:30 PM | Cavaliers 121 | 4 | ABC |
3.7
|
6%
|
5,704
|
7%
|
|
| Bulls 98 | ||||||||
| 7:03 PM | Mavericks 89 | 4 | TNT |
2.1
|
40%
|
3,252
|
45%
|
|
| Spurs 92 | ||||||||
| 9:47 PM | Nuggets 106 | 4 | TNT |
2.1
|
even
|
3,156
|
3%
|
|
| Jazz 117 | ||||||||
| Mon., 4/26/10 | 8:05 PM | Magic 99 | 4 | TNT |
2.1
|
11%
|
3,068
|
16%
|
| Bobcats 90 | ||||||||
| 10:59 PM | Blazers 88 | 5 | TNT |
1.9
|
-21%
|
2,716
|
-25%
|
|
| Suns 107 | ||||||||
| Tue., 4/27/10 | 8:05 PM | Bulls 94 | 5 | TNT |
2.8
|
12%
|
4,244
|
9%
|
| Cavaliers 96 | ||||||||
| 10:50 PM | Thunder 87 | 5 | TNT |
3.1
|
41%
|
4,685
|
40%
|
|
| Lakers 111 | ||||||||
| Wed., 4/28/10 | 8:05 PM | Bucks 91 | 5 | TNT |
1.8
|
even
|
2,538
|
-8%
|
| Hawks 87 | ||||||||
| 10:47 PM | Jazz 102 | 5 | TNT |
2.1
|
11%
|
3,060
|
14%
|
|
| Nuggets 116 |
