TNT’s coverage of the Western Conference Finals got off to a solid start, but the numbers trailed previous series on the network.
Game 1 of the Thunder/Spurs NBA Western Conference Finals earned a 4.0 U.S. rating and 6.4 million viewers on TNT Monday night, down 25% in ratings and 23% in viewership from Pacers/Heat last year (5.3, 8.2M) and down 17% and 18%, respectively, from Thunder/Spurs in 2012 (4.8, 7.8M). Compared to Game 1 of last year’s Grizzlies/Spurs series on ABC (3.1, 4.9M), ratings and viewership increased 29% and 31%, respectively.
Thunder/Spurs Game 1 ranks as the lowest rated conference final opener on TNT since Cavaliers/Pistons in 2007 (2.7) and the least-viewed since Spurs/Lakers in 2008 (6.2M). Including games on ESPN/ABC, only one conference final opener has had a smaller audience since 2008 — last year’s previously mentioned Grizzlies/Spurs game on ABC.
Monday’s opener was the second-most viewed game of the playoffs on cable, trailing only Thunder/Clippers Game 6 on ESPN last Thursday (6.4M). The Thunder have played in the four most-viewed playoff games on cable this year.
Despite the lower numbers for Game 1, TNT is still tracking ahead of last year. Through 40 games, the 2014 postseason has averaged a 2.8 U.S. rating and 4.3 million viewers on the network — up a tick in ratings and 6% in viewership from the comparable point last season (2.7, 4.1M).
Inside the NBA earned 2.8 million viewers after the game, its second-largest audience of the playoffs.
(Mon. numbers from Turner Sports, TV By the Numbers)
