The 2011 NBA Playoffs got off to a record start on TNT, which had the most-viewed opening day of the postseason in Turner Sports’ 27 years covering the NBA.
TNT averaged a 2.8 U.S. rating and 4.542 million viewers for NBA Playoff coverage on Sunday, up 27% in ratings and 36% in viewership from last year (2.2, 3.336M), and the most-viewed opening day of the playoffs ever on Turner Sports.
In particular, Sunday’s Knicks/Celtics Game 1 drew a 3.6 U.S. rating and 5.989 million viewers, up 44% in ratings and 53% in viewership from last year (SA/DAL G1: 2.5, 3.925M), and up 64% and 86%, respectively, from 2009 (MIA/ATL G1: 2.2, 3.228M).
The Celtics’ win drew more viewers than every single first round playoff game — on broadcast or cable — last season.
In addition, the game ranks as the second-most viewed first round game ever on cable, behind only Bulls/Celtics Game 7 in 2009 (6.987M). The previous second-ranked game was Celtics/Bulls Game 6 in 2009 (5.352M).
Later in the night, Game 1 between the Nuggets and Thunder drew a 3.1 and 5.038 million viewers, up 55% in ratings and 69% in viewership from last year (POR/PHX G1: 2.0, 2.988M), and up 55% and 83%, respectively, from 2009 (NO/DEN G1: 2.0, 2.756M).
Though it did not receive as much hype as Knicks/Celtics, Nuggets/Thunder drew more viewers than every single first round game on cable last year.
In the early afternoon, Grizzlies/Spurs Game 1 drew a 2.0 and 2.836 million viewers. There was no game in the comparable timeslot (1 PM ET) last year or in 2009.
For comparison purposes, the first game of last year’s tripleheader (CHA/ORL G1, 5:30 PM ET) drew a 2.0 and 3.116 million viewers, and the first game of the 2009 tripleheader (PHI/ORL G1, 5:30 PM ET) drew a 1.8 and 2.756 million.
(Numbers from Turner Sports)
