The NBA Finals scored yet another big overnight, despite the least dramatic game of the series.
Game 4 of the Warriors/Cavaliers NBA Finals earned a 13.9 overnight rating on ABC Thursday night, up 31% from Spurs/Heat last year (10.6), up 16% from Heat/Spurs in 2013 (12.0), and the highest for a Game 4 since Lakers/Pistons in 2004 (14.4).
The Warriors’ win, close through three quarters but ultimately a blowout, ranks as the highest rated of the series of the metered markets. In a demonstration of just how well the series has performed compared to previous years, the 11-year high in overnights is actually the shortest yet — Game 1 hit a 13-year high and Games 2 and 3 were the highest in 14.
The 13.9 overnight is tied as the eighth-highest for the NBA Finals since it moved to ABC in 2003, matching Pistons/Spurs Game 7 in 2005. The series accounts for four of the 11 highest overnights.
Cleveland was the top market for Thursday’s game with a 45.7 rating, down 7% from Game 3 (49.0) but up 52% from Spurs/Cavaliers Game 4 in 2007 (30.1). The 45.7 is the second-highest for an NBA game on ABC in the market. In the Bay Area, the game drew a 30.5 rating — down 5% from Game 3 (31.6).
Thursday’s overnight peaked at 16.0 from 11:15-11:30 PM ET, down 2% from the peak quarter-hour of Game 3 (16.4) and down 5% from the peak of Game 2 (16.9).
(Thu. numbers from ESPN Media Zone)
