It was the first close game of the series, but Rockets-Spurs was still a mixed bag for TNT. In other news, the Senators-Rangers finale was no match for last year’s Penguins-Capitals clincher, and NASCAR’s Xfinity Series had a big drop at Talladega.
Rockets-Spurs Close, But Mixed, on TNT
- Tuesday’s Rockets-Spurs NBA Playoffs Game 5 earned a 2.9 final rating and 4.7 million viewers on TNT, down a tick in ratings but up 2% in viewership from Thunder-Spurs last year (3.0, 4.6M) and down 24% and 20% respectively, from Bulls-Cavaliers in 2015 (3.8, 5.9M). Ratings have dropped for all four games of the series that can be compared to last year. The Spurs’ overtime win was the day’s top program on broadcast or cable in adults 18-49 (1.8) and adults 18-34 (1.7).
Sens-Rangers Clincher Down From Pens-Caps Last Year
- Tuesday’s Senators-Rangers Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 6 had 1.2 million viewers on NBCSN, down 43% from Capitals-Penguins last year (2.0M) but up 24% from Canadiens-Lightning in 2015 (932K). Ratings were not immediately available. Outside of this year’s Penguins-Capitals series, the Senators’ clincher was the most-watched game of the playoffs on cable.
NASCAR Xfinity Talladega Race Down Big
- NASCAR Xfinity Series racing from Talladega (Ala.) earned a 1.3 final rating and 2.0 million viewers on FOX Saturday afternoon, down 32% in ratings and viewership from last year (1.9, 2.9M) and down 19% and 17% respectively from 2015 (1.6, 2.4M). Despite the drop, it was the most watched Xfinity race since Daytona.
