The start of the Wizards/Hawks series generated a record-low overnight on ABC.
Game 1 of the Wizards/Hawks NBA playoff series earned a 2.6 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon, down a third from Nets/Raptors Game 7 last year (3.9), down 32% from Grizzlies/Thunder Game 1 in 2013 (3.8), and the lowest overnight for a playoff game on ABC since the network resumed airing games in 2002.
The previous low was a 2.7 for four other games, including Wizards/Cavaliers Game 1 in 2006 and Bucks/Hawks Game 7 in 2010. ABC’s six lowest rated playoff games in the metered market have been Eastern Conference contests.
It is highly likely that the 2.6 is the lowest ever for an NBA playoff game on broadcast TV.
Later in the day, Grizzlies/Warriors Game 1 drew a 3.8 overnight — down 22% from Mavericks/Spurs Game 7 last year and Pacers/Knicks Game 1 in 2013 (4.9 both years). The 3.8 is tied as ABC’s lowest for a playoff game in the late Sunday window since Pistons/Bulls Game 4 in 2007 (3.4).
Overnights for Saturday’s Spurs/Clippers Game 7 on TNT were not available.
(Wknd. numbers via ShowBuzz Daily)
