The NBA Playoffs got off to the best start on ABC since the network’s first year covering the league.
ABC earned a 4.6 overnight rating for the Hornets’ surprising Game 1 win over the Lakers Sunday afternoon, up 12% from last year (OKC/LAL G1: 4.1), and up 15% from 2009 (UTA/LAL G1: 4.0).
The 4.6 overnight is the highest for an opening weekend playoff game on ABC since Lakers/Timberwolves in 2003 (5.1).
Hornets/Lakers earned the top NBA Playoff overnight of the weekend, edging TNT’s Knicks/Celtics telecast (4.3).
On Saturday, the series opener between the 76ers and Heat drew a 3.9 overnight, up 18% from last year (CHI/CLE: 3.3), and up 44% from 2009 (DET/CLE: 2.7).
The 3.9 is the highest ever for a Saturday Game 1 on ABC (seven telecasts), topping the previous high of 3.7 set by Suns/Spurs Game 1 in 2008.
Overall, ABC averaged its highest overnight for the opening weekend of the NBA Playoffs since 2003, when the network aired only one game.
(Numbers from ESPN)
