LeBron James‘ Laker debut had the expected impact on NBA ratings, though it trailed his previous debuts.
Thursday’s Lakers-Blazers NBA regular season game delivered a 2.1 rating and 3.31 million viewers on TNT, up 55% in ratings and 47% in viewership from last year (Clippers-Lakers: 1.3, 2.26M) and up 93% and 97% respectively from 2016 (Clippers-Blazers: 1.1, 1.68M).
The Lakers’ defeat ranks as the highest rated and most-watched game of the days-old NBA season, topping both Opening Night games on TNT. Sixers-Celtics had a 1.8 and 2.95 million and Thunder-Warriors a 1.7 and 2.72 million.
It was the most-watched Laker game since Kobe Bryant‘s career finale in April 2016, which had 3.47 million viewers on ESPN2.
Despite the strong numbers, Thursday’s game was not quite as strong as James’ previous debut with a new team. In 2014, James’ first game in his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers had a 2.6 and 4.02 million. That game aired in an earlier timeslot.
James’ 2010 debut with the Miami Heat had a 4.6 and 7.35 million. His 2003 career debut against Sacramento, which like Thursday’s game aired in a late 10:30 PM ET timeslot, had a 2.3 and 3.03 million.
Locally, TNT’s broadcast delivered a 9.8 rating in Portland a 6.9 in Los Angeles.
Earlier Thursday, TNT drew a 1.0 and 1.56 million for Bulls-Sixers — down 29% in ratings and 32% in viewership from last year (Knicks-Thunder: 1.4, 2.28M) and down 17% and 21% respectively from 2016 (Celtics-Bulls: 1.2, 1.96M).
Outside of James’ debut, all five NBA games on national television this season have declined double-digits.
[Numbers from Nielsen via Programming Insider 10.19, NBA]
