Ratings for ABC’s first Sunday afternoon NBA doubleheader of the season were generally on par with last year’s numbers.
The first game of the doubleheader, the Celtics’ blowout of the Mavericks, drew a 1.7/4 final rating, down 6% from a 1.8/4 for Celtics/Magic in ’08. The 1.7 rating is the lowest rating for a January NBA game on broadcast since at least the 1998-99 season.
The second game of the doubleheader, Spurs/Lakers, drew a 2.8/6 final rating, even with last year’s comparable Cavaliers/Lakers tilt. The 2.8 was the highest rating of the weekend for a sporting event on broadcast.
So far this season, ABC is averaging a 3.3 rating for four NBA games, up 18% from a 2.8 through four games last year.
NBA ratings on ABC.
2008-09 season
3.2: Spurs/Suns (Thu., 12/25/08, 2:30 PM ABC); +3% from ’07.
5.3: Celtics/Lakers (Thu., 12/25/08, 5 PM ABC); +51% from ’07.
1.7: Mavericks/Celtics (Sun., 1/25/09, 1 PM ABC); -6% from ’08.
2.8: Spurs/Lakers (Sun., 1/25/09, 3:30 PM ABC); even with ’08.
