A pair of potential NBA Finals previews delivered double-digit increases for ABC and TNT.
Warriors-Sixers scored a 2.2 rating and 3.63 million viewers on ABC’s NBA Saturday Primetime over the weekend, up 16% in ratings and 14% in viewership from last year (Celtics-Rockets: 1.9, 3.19M) and up 100% and 117% respectively from 2017 (Clippers-Bulls: 1.1, 1.67M).
The telecast faced lighter competition than in the previous two years, when coverage aired opposite the Duke-North Carolina college basketball rivalry.
Golden State’s win delivered the eighth-largest audience of the NBA season. The Warriors have now played in five of the nine most-watched games this season, more than any other team.
On Tuesday night, Celtics-Warriors scored 2.05 million viewers on TNT — up 77% from last year (Pelicans-Clippers: 1.16M) and up 107% from 2017 (Celtics-Clippers: 992K). Ratings were not immediately available.
In other action, Rockets-Celtics drew a 1.65 and 2.52 million on ABC Sunday afternoon — down 21% in ratings and 23% in viewership from 2017 (Warriors-Knicks: 2.1, 3.28M). There was no game on the comparable date last year, when ABC cleared its schedule for the Academy Awards.
Rockets-Raptors had 1.38 million on TNT Tuesday, down 27% from last year (Rockets-Thunder: 1.89M), but up 72% from 2017 (Pacers-Hornets: 801K).
Largest NBA audiences thus far
