Fueled by the presence of the Heat, Celtics and Lakers, ABC continued to earn strong numbers for NBA coverage last weekend.
ABC earned a 3.4 final rating and 5.163 million viewers for Miami’s loss to the Celtics Sunday afternoon. The game drew the highest rating for an early afternoon NBA game (start time prior to 3 PM ET) since Christmas Day 2005, and the highest for a non-Christmas early game since February 2002.
There was no telecast on the comparable date last year, due to NBA All-Star Weekend. Compared to Cavaliers/Magic on February 21 of last year (1.9, 2.862M), Sunday’s telecast was up 79% in ratings and 80% in viewership.
Boosted by the Heat/Celtics lead-in, ABC scored even better numbers earlier in the day.
In the second-half of the network’s doubleheader, the Lakers’ loss to the Magic earned a 3.5 and 5.631 million viewers. The game is tied as the third-highest rated non-Christmas regular season game on ABC since the network reacquired rights in ’02.
Compared to Celtics/Nuggets on February 21 of last year (2.3, 3.534M), Lakers/Magic was up 52% and 59%, respectively.
Overall, five of the 20 highest rated regular season games on ABC since ’02 have taken place this season alone.
Ratings/Viewership For NBA on ABC During 2010-11 Season
| Date | Time | Game | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., 12/25/10 | 2:30 PM | BOS 78, ORL 86 | ABC |
4.6
|
8,657
|
| 5 PM | MIA 96, LAL 80 | ABC |
6.4
|
13,113
|
|
| Sun., 1/30/11 | 1 PM | MIA 108, OKC 103 | ABC |
2.5
|
3,788
|
| 3:30 PM | BOS 109, LAL 96 | ABC |
4.3
|
7,003
|
|
| Sun., 2/6/11 | 2:30 PM | ORL 80, BOS 91 | ABC |
2.3
|
3,711
|
| Sun., 2/13/11 | 1 PM | MIA 82, BOS 85 | ABC |
3.4
|
5,163
|
| 3:30 PM | LAL 75, ORL 89 | ABC |
3.5
|
5,631
|
(nielsen.com)
