Like ABC and TNT, ESPN also had a strong performance for coverage of the opening weekend of the NBA Playoffs.
Saturday’s Pacers/Bulls Game 1 earned a 2.8 overnight rating on ESPN, up 12% from 2009 (CHI/BOS G1: 2.5), and up 33% from 2008 (WSH/CLE G1: 2.1).
There was no game in the comparable timeslot last year. For comparison purposes, the first game of last year’s tripleheader on ESPN (MIL/ATL G1) earned a 1.8 overnight.
The Bulls’ close win drew the highest overnight of Saturday’s three playoff games on ESPN.
Later in the day, the Hawks’ victory over the Magic drew a 2.5 overnight, down 14% from last year (MIA/BOS G1: 2.9), but up 9% from 2009 (DAL/SA G1: 2.3).
Hawks/Magic was the only playoff game of the weekend to have a decline from the matchup in the comparable timeslot last year.
Finally, Game 1 between the Trail Blazers and Mavericks drew a 2.7 overnight, up 13% from both last year (DEN/UTA G1: 2.4), and 2009 (HOU/POR G1: 2.4).
(Numbers from ESPN)
