ABC ended its regular season NBA coverage with a pair of big increases on Sunday.
Sunday’s Celtics/Heat game earned a 3.2 overnight rating on ABC, up 60% from last year (POR/LAL: 2.0), and up 46% from 2009 (BOS/CLE: 2.2).
The 3.2 overnight is the highest for the NBA on ABC on the final Sunday of the regular season since Lakers/Kings in 2004 (3.6).
ABC’s first Heat/Celtics game this season (February 13) drew a 3.9 overnight, albeit against less formidable competition.
Earlier in the day, the Bulls’ close win over the Magic drew a 2.4 overnight, up 33% from last year (ORL/CLE: 1.8), and up 26% from 2009 (DAL/NO: 1.9).
April 3 ratings: In related news, ABC drew a 2.5 final rating and 3.962 million viewers for Nuggets/Lakers on April 3, flat in ratings and viewership from last year (SA/LAL: 2.5, 3.957M), but up 32% and 44%, respectively, from 2009 (PHX/DAL: 1.9, 2.758M).
In the early game, Suns/Spurs drew a season-low 1.3 and 1.953 million viewers, down 38% in ratings and 41% in viewership from last year (CLE/BOS: 2.1, 3.303M), and down 32% and 26%, respectively, from 2009 (SA/CLE: 1.9, 2.628M).
(Numbers from ESPN)
