ABC began its fourteenth straight NBA postseason with mixed results in the metered markets.
Game 1 of the Rockets/Warriors NBA playoff series earned a 3.9 overnight rating on ABC Saturday afternoon, up 22% from Pelicans/Warriors last year (3.2) and up 11% from Warriors/Clippers in 2014 (3.5). The 3.9 is tied as ABC’s highest yet on the first Saturday of the playoffs (12 telecasts dating back to 2005), matching Sixers/Heat in 2011.
Overall, the Warriors’ blowout win tied the highest overnight for the opening Saturday of the playoffs in fourteen years — since NBC had a 4.1 for Jazz/Kings and 4.3 for Sonics/Spurs in 2002.
On Sunday, Pistons/Cavaliers Game 1 had a 4.1 overnight — down 9% from Celtics/Cavaliers last year (4.5) but up a tick from Bobcats/Heat in 2014 (4.0). The 4.1 is tied as the fifth-highest for any opening weekend playoff game, regardless of day or network, since Lakers/Timberwolves in 2003 (5.1).
The two games were the top sporting events of the weekend on any network, ranking ahead of NASCAR on FOX (3.2). Given NBA ratings tend to decline from overnights to the final, while NASCAR ratings tend to rise, it is likely that NASCAR will finish on top in the final tally.
(Wknd. numbers from ESPN)
