In any other year, the numbers for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals would be extremely impressive. However, coming off of last year’s spectacular numbers for the Conference Finals, Monday’s numbers look almost pedestrian.
The Lakers’ Game 1 blowout win over the Suns drew a 4.4 U.S. rating and 7.1 million viewers on TNT Monday night, down 4% in ratings and 3% in viewership from Magic/Cavaliers Game 1 last year (4.6, 7.3 mil), but up 7% and 15%, respectively, from Spurs/Lakers Game 1 in ’08 (4.1, 6.2 mil).
Compared to Nuggets/Lakers Game 1 last year, which aired on ESPN, Monday’s game was down 12% in ratings and viewership from a 5.0 and 8.1 million viewers.
Though down from last year, Monday’s rating compares favorably to previous years. Whereas 10 of last year’s 11 Conference Final games on cable drew ratings higher than 4.4, only 10 of the previous 60 (2003-2008) hit that mark.
For perspective, Suns/Lakers topped Game 1 of the Phillies/Dodgers NLCS on TBS last October (4.3, 6.8 mil).
Overall, Suns/Lakers Game 1 ranks as the second-highest rated and second-most viewed NBA Playoff game on cable this year, behind only Cavaliers/Celtics Game 6 on ESPN last Thursday (5.7, 9.0 mil).
