The 2010-11 NBA season is off to a hot start on ESPN, as all eight of the network’s games have had increases in ratings and viewership compared to last year.
Through eight games, ESPN has averaged a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.471 million viewers for NBA coverage, up 60% in ratings and 66% in viewership from the comparable last year (1.0, 1.491 mil).
On Friday, the Celtics’ overtime win over the Bulls earned a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.473 million viewers on ESPN, up 46% in ratings and 43% in viewership from last year (CLE/NY: 1.1, 1.731 mil).
Later in the night, Clippers/Nuggets drew a 1.2 and 1.914 million viewers, up 20% and 35%, respectively, from last year (SA/POR: 1.0, 1.417 mil).
ESPN had even bigger increases two nights earlier, as both games of the network’s Wednesday night doubleheader had ratings jump by at least 100%.
The Celtics’ overtime win over the Bucks drew a 1.7 and 2.451 million viewers on ESPN, up 113% and 122%, respectively, from last year’s matchup (MIA/WSH: 0.8, 1.103 mil), which aired in an earlier timeslot.
In the nightcap, Lakers/Kings earned a 1.6 and 2.329 million viewers, up 100% and 98%, respectively, from last year (DAL/NO: 0.8, 1.176 mil).
Ratings/Viewership For NBA on ESPN During 2010-11 Season
| Date | Game | Net | Rating | vs. ’09 | Viewers (000) | vs. ’09 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wed., 10/27/10 | Bulls 95 | ESPN |
1.2
|
50%
|
1,697
|
38%
|
| Thunder 106 | ||||||
| Blazers 98 | ESPN |
1.2
|
9%
|
1,854
|
15%
|
|
| Clippers 88 | ||||||
| Fri., 10/29/10 | Magic 70 | ESPN |
2.3
|
109%
|
3,774
|
145%
|
| Heat 96 | ||||||
| Lakers 114 | ESPN |
2.0
|
33%
|
3,168
|
48%
|
|
| Suns 106 | ||||||
| Wed., 11/3/10 | Bucks 102 | ESPN |
1.7
|
113%
|
2,451
|
122%
|
| Celtics 105 | ||||||
| Lakers 112 | ESPN |
1.6
|
100%
|
2,329
|
98%
|
|
| Kings 100 | ||||||
| Fri., 11/5/10 | Bulls 105 | ESPN |
1.6
|
46%
|
2,473
|
43%
|
| Celtics 110 | ||||||
| Clippers 104 | ESPN |
1.2
|
20%
|
1,914
|
35%
|
|
| Nuggets 111 | ||||||
|
Average Through Two Weeks
|
1.6
|
60%
|
2,471
|
66%
|
||
(ESPN, pifeedback.com)
