Facing competition from the NFL Draft, Thursday’s Lakers/Hornets Game 6 hit a series-low — though it was still up from last year’s comparable game.
The Lakers’ series-clinching Game 6 win over the Hornets earned a 2.4 U.S. rating and 3.871 million viewers on TNT Thursday night, flat in ratings but up 8% in viewership from last year (DAL/SA G6: 2.4, 3.590M), but down 31% and 28%, respectively, from 2009 (BOS/CHI G6: 3.5, 5.352M).
Compared to the game that aired opposite the first round of the NFL Draft last year (CLE/CHI G3: 1.8, 2.763M), Thursday’s matchup was up 33% in ratings and 40% in viewership.
Game 6 ranks as the lowest rated, least-viewed game of the Lakers/Hornets series.
Game 5 on Tuesday night drew a substantially more impressive 3.6 and 5.837 million viewers, up 16% in ratings and 25% in viewership from last year (OKC/LAL G5: 3.1, 4.685M), and up 64% and 74%, respectively, from 2009 (DAL/SA G5: 2.2, 3.348M).
Numbers For Other Playoff Series: Thursday’s Mavericks/Blazers Game 6 drew a 2.2 U.S. rating and 3.400 million viewers, up 7% in ratings and 9% in viewership from last year (PHX/POR G6: 2.1, 3.115M), but down 15% and 8%, respectively, from 2009 (POR/HOU G6: 2.6, 3.699M).
On Wednesday night, the finale between the Heat and 76ers drew a 2.4 and 3.623 million viewers, up 33% in ratings and 43% in viewership from last year (MIL/ATL G5: 1.8, 2.538M), and up 33% and 32%, respectively, from 2009 (MIA/ATL G5: 1.8, 2.748M).
Later Wednesday, Oklahoma City’s clinching win over the Nuggets earned a 2.9 and 4.266 million viewers, up 38% in ratings and 39% in viewership from last year (UTA/DEN G5: 2.1, 3.060M), and up 53% and 59%, respectively, from 2009 (NO/DEN G5: 1.9, 2.682M).
Finally, Tuesday’s Pacers/Bulls Game 5 drew a 2.6 and 4.061 million viewers, down 7% in ratings and 4% in viewership from last year (CHI/CLE G5: 2.8, 4.244M), but up 4% in both measures from 2009 (CHI/BOS G5: 2.5, 3.911M).
The Bulls’ series-clinching win was one of just four first round games on TNT to have a decline from last year.
(Numbers from Turner Sports; additional information from TV By the Numbers 1, 2)
