After a decline in the overnights, Game 1 of the NBA Finals finished slightly ahead of last year.
Game 1 of the Heat/Spurs NBA Finals drew a 9.0 final rating and 14.8 million viewers on ABC, up 2% in ratings and 4% in viewership from the same match-up last year (8.8, 14.2M), but down 9% and 8%, respectively, from Heat/Thunder in 2012 (9.9, 16.2M).
The 9.0 rating is tied as the third-highest for Game 1 of the NBA Finals since ABC resumed airing the event, matching Mavericks/Heat in 2011 and trailing only Heat/Thunder in 2012 and Pistons/Lakers in 2004 (9.8). Viewership ranks as the fourth-highest for a Game 1 on ABC, trailing the same three series.
Thursday’s game ranks as the highest rated and most-viewed Game 1 to involve the Spurs since Knicks/Spurs on NBC in 1999 (11.5, 16.6M). Speaking of NBC, Game 1 of the NBA Finals had a double-digit rating in all twelve years the network carried the league. During its twelve-year tenure, ABC has yet to earn a double-digit rating for Game 1.
Heat/Spurs Game 1 drew a 6.0 rating among adults 18-49, up 5% from last year (5.7), down 13% from 2012 (6.9), and the fourth-highest for a Game 1 on ABC. The game also drew a 6.0 among adults 18-34, up 3% from last year (5.8) and down 15% from 2012 (7.0).
For some perspective, Game 1 of the Cardinals/Red Sox World Series drew an 8.6 rating, 14.4 million viewers and a 4.2 among adults 18-49.
(Thu. numbers from ESPN Media Zone)
