With the Cavaliers missing LeBron James and the Bulls missing any national appeal, NBA Saturday Primetime was a dud.
Bulls/Cavaliers delivered a 1.9 overnight rating on the latest edition of ABC’s NBA Saturday Primetime, down 52% from Warriors/Thunder last year (3.9) and the third-lowest mark in the short history of the series (13 telecasts dating back to last year). The Bulls also played in the two lowest rated editions, against the Cavaliers in April of last year (1.6*) and against the Rockets last March (1.4).
The Bulls’ win marked the ninth time in the past three seasons that the NBA on ABC has fallen below a 2.0 overnight. There were only two such occurrences in the previous four seasons, when James played for the Miami Heat.
Head-to-head, NBA Saturday Primetime still topped Premier Boxing Champions on FOX (1.4) and the NHL Stadium Series on NBC (1.2), though that is not exactly saying much. For the weekend, it ranked third among all sporting events on broadcast television behind the Daytona 500 (6.5) and PGA Tour Honda Classic (2.2).
* Keep in mind that game aired directly opposite a Warriors/Grizzlies matchup on ESPN in the midst of Golden State’s run to 73 wins.
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily 2.27)
