Like TNT, ESPN also earned near-record numbers for the first round of the NBA Playoffs.
First round coverage of the NBA Playoffs averaged a 2.2 U.S. rating and 3.5 million viewers on ESPN, up 10% in ratings and 12% in viewership from last year (2.0, 3.1M), up 5% and 10%, respectively, from 2012 (2.1, 3.1M), and the network’s second-highest averages for the first round since acquiring rights in the 2002-03 season.
As was the case with TNT, only the 2011 first round earned better numbers (2.3, 3.7M).
On Friday, ESPN wrapped up its first round coverage with a Game 6 doubleheader. Rockets/Blazers Game 6 earned a 2.9 U.S. rating and 4.3 million viewers, up 12% in ratings and 5% in viewership from Thunder/Rockets last year (2.6, 4.0M), and up 21% and 11%, respectively, from Grizzlies/Clippers in 2012 (2.4, 3.8M). Keep in mind last year’s game aired opposite other playoff action on ESPN2.
Earlier in the night, Spurs/Mavericks Game 6 drew a 2.1 and 3.3 million — down 9% in ratings and 7% in viewership from Knicks/Celtics last year (2.3, 3.6M). The game aired opposite Raptors/Nets Game 6 on ESPN2, which drew 1.2 million viewers — up 85% from Pacers/Hawks last year (644K).
(First round averages from ESPN Media Zone, Fri. numbers from Bloomberg/TV By the Numbers)
