The first round of the NBA Playoffs set a ratings record on Turner Sports.
TNT averaged a 2.7 U.S. rating and 4.179 million viewers for 23 first round NBA Playoff games, up 29% in ratings and 32% in viewership from the same number of games last year (2.1, 3.174M), and up 17% and 24%, respectively, from 2009 (2.3, 3.379M).
This marks the highest average rating ever for the first round of the NBA Playoffs on Turner Sports. The previous record was 2.3, set during the aforementioned 2009 first round.
Nineteen of the 23 telecast windows had increases in viewership compared to last year, with fifteen of those games up by at least 25%.
Ten of the games drew at least four million viewers, compared to just two such first round games on the network last year.
Impressively, four of the five largest first round audiences ever on cable took place this year alone. Lakers/Hornets Game 4 (6.281M) ranks second, Knicks/Celtics Game 1 (5.989M) ranks third, Hornets/Lakers Game 5 (5.837M) ranks fourth, and Hornets/Lakers Game 2 (5.352M) is tied for fifth.
Bulls/Celtics Game 7 in 2009 still ranks as the most-viewed first round game ever on cable (6.987M). Game 6 of that series remains tied for fifth (5.352M).
TNT experienced double-digit increases in key demographics for its first round action. Viewership increased by over 30% among adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 and men 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.
First round coverage also increased substantially among financially privileged viewers.
Through Tuesday, TNT coverage was up by at least 60% among viewers 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 who earn at least $125,000. That includes a whopping 98% increase among viewers 18-34 who earn at least $125K.
For some perspective, TBS averaged a 2.8 rating and 4.434 million viewers for coverage of the MLB Division Series in October. Keep in mind all TBS Division Series games aired exclusively, while TNT’s first round action ‘co-exists’ with local telecasts in the home markets.
Ratings/Viewership For First Round NBA Playoff Games on TNT
No comparison given for Grizzlies/Spurs Game 1, as there was no game in the 1 PM window last year.
| Date | Time (ET) | Game |
#
|
Net | Rtg | vs. ’10 | Viewers | vs. ’10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., 4/17/11 | 1:00 PM | MEM 101, SA 98 |
1
|
TNT |
2.0
|
no game
|
2,836
|
no game
|
| 7:00 PM | NY 85, BOS 87 |
1
|
TNT |
3.6
|
44%
|
5,989
|
53%
|
|
| 9:30 PM | DEN 103, OKC 107 |
1
|
TNT |
3.1
|
55%
|
5,038
|
69%
|
|
| Mon., 4/18/11 | 7:00 PM | PHI 73, MIA 94 |
2
|
TNT |
2.1
|
-19%
|
3,402
|
-13%
|
| 9:30 PM | IND 90, CHI 96 |
2
|
TNT |
3.1
|
48%
|
4,908
|
56%
|
|
| Tue., 4/19/11 | 7:00 PM | NYK 93, BOS 96 |
2
|
TNT |
3.0
|
58%
|
4,730
|
65%
|
| 9:30 PM | POR 89, DAL 101 |
2
|
TNT |
2.5
|
0%
|
3,846
|
3%
|
|
| Wed., 4/20/11 | 8:00 PM | DEN 89, OKC 106 |
2
|
TNT |
2.1
|
50%
|
3,292
|
59%
|
| 10:30 PM | NO 78, LAL 87 |
2
|
TNT |
3.4
|
62%
|
5,352
|
75%
|
|
| Thu., 4/21/11 | 8:00 PM | MIA 100, PHI 94 |
3
|
TNT |
2.6
|
44%
|
3,875
|
40%
|
| 10:30 PM | DAL 92, POR 97 |
3
|
TNT |
2.3
|
-8%
|
3,268
|
-17%
|
|
| Sat., 4/23/11 | 2:30 PM | CHI 84, IND 89 |
4
|
TNT |
2.2
|
83%
|
3,534
|
111%
|
| 5:00 PM | DAL 82, POR 84 |
4
|
TNT |
2.1
|
24%
|
3,176
|
31%
|
|
| Sun., 4/24/11 | 7:00 PM | ORL 85, ATL 88 |
4
|
TNT |
2.7
|
29%
|
4,506
|
39%
|
| 9:30 PM | LAL 88, NO 93 |
4
|
TNT |
3.9
|
86%
|
6,281
|
99%
|
|
| Mon., 4/25/11 | 8:00 PM | SA 86, MEM 104 |
4
|
TNT |
2.2
|
5%
|
3,354
|
9%
|
| 10:44 PM | OKC 101, DEN 104 |
4
|
TNT |
2.3
|
21%
|
3,539
|
30%
|
|
| Tue., 4/26/11 | 8:00 PM | IND 89, CHI 116 |
5
|
TNT |
2.6
|
-7%
|
4,061
|
-4%
|
| 10:30 PM | NO 90, LAL 106 |
5
|
TNT |
3.6
|
16%
|
5,837
|
25%
|
|
| Wed., 4/27/11 | 7:00 PM | PHI 91, MIA 97 |
5
|
TNT |
2.4
|
33%
|
3,623
|
43%
|
| 9:30 PM | DEN 97, OKC 100 |
5
|
TNT |
2.9
|
38%
|
4,266
|
39%
|
|
| Thu., 4/28/11 | 8:00 PM | LAL 98, NO 80 |
6
|
TNT |
2.4
|
0%
|
3,871
|
8%
|
| 10:30 PM | DAL 103, POR 96 |
6
|
TNT |
2.2
|
5%
|
3,400
|
9%
|
(Numbers from Turner Sports; additional information from Son of the Bronx, TV By the Numbers)
