With the NBA regular season set to end Wednesday, the league’s three television partners continue to post some of their best numbers.
TNT averaged a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.443 million viewers for NBA coverage entering Tuesday’s doubleheader, up 45% in ratings and 41% in viewership from last year (1.1, 1.728M), and on pace to finish as the most-viewed NBA season ever on the network.
The current TNT record is 1.885 million viewers, set in the 1995-96 season.
On Thursday (April 7), TNT drew a 2.1 U.S. rating and 3.258 million viewers for Celtics/Bulls, up a whopping 91% in ratings and 99% in viewership from last year (CLE/CHI: 1.1, 1.636M). In the nightcap, Trail Blazers/Jazz drew a 1.0 and 1.535 milion.
ESPN and ABC have also experienced substantial increases this season, with both networks on pace for their best seasons since acquiring rights to the league nearly ten years ago.
ABC averaged a 3.1 rating and 5.268 million viewers through 14* telecasts this season, up 35% in ratings and 43% in viewership from last year’s full season average (2.3, 3.694M).
This marks the highest rated, most-viewed NBA season on ABC since the network reacquired rights to the league in 2002.
Meanwhile, ESPN has averaged a 1.3 and 2.025 million viewers for its 71 games, up 18% and 29%, respectively, from last year (1.1, 1.571M). As with ABC, this marks the most-viewed NBA season on ESPN since the network reacquired rights in ’02.
* Likely does not include Sunday’s Bulls/Magic telecast. Final ratings for early afternoon telecasts on broadcast are usually not available until later in the week.
