On a packed television night, ESPN’s first NBA doubleheader of the season managed solid gains over last year.
Wednesday’s Timberwolves/Lakers NBA regular season game earned a 1.6 final rating and 2.4 million viewers on ESPN, up 46% in ratings and 38% in viewership from Thunder/Blazers last year (1.1, 1.7M). There were no comparable games from 2011-13, as ESPN went dark to avoid the World Series.
Minnesota’s win scored the largest audience for ESPN’s first late night game of the season since 2012, when Clippers/Lakers drew 3.1 million on a Friday night.
The game largely avoided competition from Game 2 of the World Series on FOX, which ended at a 11 PM ET, and completely avoided the Republican Presidential Debate on CNBC — which was over before tip-off.
The early Spurs/Thunder game was not as fortunate, but still managed a 1.2 and 1.8 million — up a tick and 8%, respectively, from Bulls/Knicks last year (1.1, 1.7M). The Thunder’s win aired directly opposite the World Series and the debate, which combined for approximately 27.7 million viewers. The competition was even more formidable than last year, when coverage aired opposite Game 7 of the World Series (23.5M).
(Wed. numbers via TV Media Insights)
