For the second time this year, ABC’s NBA numbers tumbled to a season low thanks to the hapless, Nash-less Phoenix Suns.
ABC earned a 1.5 overnight rating for the Suns’ blowout loss to the Spurs Sunday afternoon, down 44% from last year (CLE/BOS: 2.7), and down 35% from 2009 (SA/CLE: 2.3).
The 1.5 is the lowest overnight of the season for the NBA on ABC. The previous season low was a 1.7 for the Suns’ blowout loss to the Magic on March 13.
Moreover, the 1.5 is tied as the third-lowest ever for the NBA on ABC (151* telecasts), ahead of only Heat/Pistons in March 2009 (1.4) and Suns/Kings in March 2007 (1.2).
So far this season, final ratings for the NBA on ABC have declined between 12% and 19% from the overnight, putting Suns/Spurs on pace for a rating in the 1.2-1.3 range. The lowest rated NBA game ever on broadcast was the aforementioned ’07 Suns/Kings game, which drew a 1.0.
One imagines that if there is an NBA season next year, ABC will be leery of putting the Suns on its schedule.
Later in the day, the Nuggets’ upset win over the Lakers earned a 3.0 overnight, down 6% from last year (SA/LAL: 3.2), but up 25% from 2009 (DAL/PHX: 2.4).
*Overnight ratings for three telecasts — 76ers/Pacers in March 2006, Spurs/Celtics in January 2004, and Timberwolves/Rockets in January 2004 — were not available.
(ESPN)
