Ratings for NBA games were up across the board during a successful 2007-08 campaign.
Ratings rose by double digits on ESPN and TNT. ESPN averaged a 1.3 cable rating with 1.4 million viewers for 70 games this season, up 18% and 13%, respectively, from last year. The network averaged 1.2 million households for NBA games, making the 2007-08 NBA season the most watched on ESPN since the network acquired rights to the league in 2002.
ESPN saw a 39% jump in ratings among the important men 18-34 demo, drawing 410,000 of those viewers.
TNT saw a 13% jump in national ratings, averaging a 1.1 for its Thursday night slate of games. The network drew a 1.3 cable rating with 1.5 million viewers for 52 games, up 9% and 12%, respectively, from last season.
The network was especially strong in key demographics. Among “adults and men, 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54,” TNT saw increases of at least 25%. In particular, TNT saw increases of “29% among adults 18 to 49; 25% against adults 18 to 49; 26% with adults 25 to 54; 37% among men 18 to 34; 29% against men 18 to 49; and 26% with men 25 to 54.”
This season, ESPN aired its third and fifth most watched NBA games ever. Lakers/Suns on February 20 drew a 2.9 cable rating, and Celtics/Suns two nights later drew a 2.3. TNT’s highest rated game was the March 18 battle between the Celtics and Rockets, which drew a 1.9.
