A crucial matchup in the NBA Western Conference playoff race delivered the top sports audience of Wednesday, March 13.
Wednesday’s Lakers-Kings NBA regular season game averaged 1.40 million viewers on ESPN, down 19% from Warriors-Clippers on the same night last year but still the most-watched sporting event of the day.
A Nuggets-Heat NBA Finals rematch led-in with 1.09 million, down 11% from last year’s Sixers-Cavaliers game (1.22M). ESPN coverage was blacked out in Denver.
Over on ESPN2, Cincinnati’s rout of Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament averaged 787,000 viewers, preceded by NC State-Syracuse in the ACC Tournament at 717,000. Compared to last year’s equivalent Championship Week windows, both in the ACC Tournament, the former increased 34% (from Virginia Tech-NC State: 586K) and the latter declined 19% (from Notre Dame-Wake Forest: 886K).
A Montana State-Montana Big Sky Tournament game rounded out the night with 346,000, nearly doubling Northern Arizona-Montana State last year (186K).
Earlier in the day, ESPN averaged 617,000 for Notre Dame-Wake Forest and 496,000 for Florida State-Virginia Tech — both down from last year’s equivalent windows (Georgia Tech-Pittsburgh: 721K; Wake Forest-Syracuse: 614K). Boston College-Clemson wrapped up the ACC Tournament slate with 129,000 on ESPNU.
In other Championship Week action, FS1 had its most-watched opening round of the Big East Tournament with an average of 321,000 viewers. The night included the second, third and fourth most-watched opening round games on the network, as Georgetown-Providence drew 378,000, DePaul-Villanova 310,000 and Xavier-Butler 273,000.
Moving beyond the hardwood, a Concacaf Champions League match between Liga MX sides Club America and Chivas Guadalajara averaged 348,000 on TUDN. An all-MLS matchup of Lionel Messi and Inter Miami against Nashville averaged 158,000 on FS2.
TNT averaged 246,000 for a Kings-Blues NHL regular season game, down 23% from Avalanche-Maple Leafs last year (318K). National coverage was blacked out in Los Angeles. The Capitals-Oilers nightcap drew 213,000 across both TNT (178K) and truTV (35K).
Indian Wells tennis topped out at 212,000 for Coco Gauff’s win over Kiki Mertens and Taylor Fritz’ loss to Holger Rune.
Wednesday, March 13 sports ratings
Updated chart:
Original chart below:
