Viewership declined yet again for the NBA Playoffs Friday night, as Game 6 between the Grizzlies and Clippers could not match last year’s comparable matchup between the Grizzlies and Spurs.
Game 6 of the Grizzlies/Clippers first round NBA playoff series drew 3.831 million viewers on ESPN Friday night, down 9% from Spurs/Grizzlies Game 6 last year (4.220M), and down 21% from Lakers/Thunder Game 6 in a later timeslot two years ago (4.833M).
Keep in mind last year’s game had a direct lead-in from second and third round coverage of the NFL Draft — but also had to compete with NFL Draft coverage on ESPN2.
Last year’s game also featured the Grizzlies completing the fourth #8 over #1 upset in NBA history.
Through Friday, 26 of 36 NBA playoff telecasts on ESPN/ABC and TNT suffered declines in viewership compared to last year. On ESPN and ESPN2 in particular, seven of nine first round telecasts were down from last year.
(Friday’s numbers from TV By the Numbers)
