A star-laden Western Conference Finals got off to a strong start in the metered markets.
Game 1 of the Thunder/Warriors NBA Western Conference Finals had a 6.7 overnight rating on TNT Monday night, up 20% from Cavaliers/Hawks last year (5.6) and up 34% from Thunder/Spurs in 2014 (5.0). Compared to Game 1 of last year’s Rockets/Warriors West final on ESPN, overnights increased 24% from a 5.4.
Oklahoma City’s win, which peaked at an 8.1 from 11:30-11:45 PM ET, ranks as the highest rated conference final opener in the metered markets since Heat/Bulls on TNT in 2011 (7.4). The previous high over that span was a 6.6 for Celtics/Heat in 2012.
Locally, Game 1 scored a 23.4 rating in the Bay Area — up 41% from last year’s Rockets/Warriors game (16.6). It had a 21.5 in Oklahoma City, down 18% from Thunder/Spurs Game 1 in 2014 (26.1). Sacramento (12.0), Cleveland (11.1) and Tulsa (also 11.1) rounded out the top five.
