Led by strong numbers for Magic/Celtics and Rockets/Lakers, ratings are up for the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
Through Tuesday night, ESPN/ABC and TNT have averaged a 3.0 U.S. rating for 18 second round games, up 7% from a 2.8 through the same point last year, and up 20% from a 2.5 through the same point in ’07.
As in the first round, TNT has seen increased ratings, while ESPN and ABC have had less success. TNT’s 11 second round telecasts have averaged a 3.1 U.S. rating, up 19% from a 2.6 through the same point last year. Meanwhile, ESPN’s four games averaged a 2.7, even with last year’s comparable three games, and ABC has averaged a 3.2 for its three games, down 16% from last year’s 3.8.
TNT won the week on cable in prime time on the strength of the NBA Playoffs, marking the second straight week the network has taken the weekly cable crown. NBA games made up 7 of the 10 highest rated programs of the week, with Games 2 and 3 of Rockets/Lakers finishing as the two highest rated programs of the week on cable.
For the playoffs, ESPN/ABC and TNT have combined to average a 2.5 U.S. rating. Through Sunday’s games, TNT is up 12% in ratings* and 15% in viewership, ESPN is down 8% in ratings* and 4% in viewership, and ABC is off 9% in ratings and 6% in viewership.
Asterisk (*) indicates cable rating
Ratings for the second round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs.
–: indicates no comparable game last year
| Date | Time | Game | Net | Rating | vs. ’08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun., 5/3/09 | 3:30 PM | Mavericks/Nuggets Game 1 | ABC |
3.2
|
-22%
|
| Mon., 5/4/09 | 8:00 PM | Magic/Celtics Game 1 | TNT |
2.9
|
53%
|
| 10:30 PM | Rockets/Lakers Game 1 | TNT |
3.6
|
24%
|
|
| Tue., 5/5/09 | 8:00 PM | Hawks/Cavaliers Game 1 | TNT |
2.9
|
-17%
|
| 10:30 PM | Mavericks/Nuggets Game 2 | TNT |
2.6
|
—
|
|
| Wed., 5/6/09 | 8:00 PM | Magic/Celtics Game 2 | TNT |
2.9
|
26%
|
| 10:30 PM | Rockets/Lakers Game 2 | TNT |
4.2
|
40%
|
|
| Thu., 5/7/09 | 8:00 PM | Hawks/Cavaliers Game 2 | ESPN |
2.5
|
14%
|
| Fri., 5/8/09 | 7:00 PM | Celtics/Magic Game 3 | ESPN |
2.3
|
—
|
| 9:30 PM | Lakers/Rockets Game 3 | ESPN |
3.9
|
50%
|
|
| Sat., 5/9/09 | 5:00 PM | Nuggets/Mavericks Game 3 | ESPN |
2.0
|
25%
|
| 8:00 PM | Cavaliers/Hawks Game 3 | ABC |
3.2
|
0%
|
|
| Sun., 5/10/09 | 3:30 PM | Lakers/Rockets Game 4 | ABC |
3.2
|
-22%
|
| 8:00 PM | Celtics/Magic Game 4 | TNT |
3.2
|
33%
|
|
| Mon., 5/11/09 | 7:00 PM | Cavaliers/Hawks Game 4 | TNT |
2.5
|
-24%
|
| 9:30 PM | Nuggets/Mavericks Game 4 | TNT |
3.0
|
—
|
|
| Tue., 5/12/09 | 8:00 PM | Magic/Celtics Game 5 | TNT |
3.3
|
65%
|
| 10:30 PM | Rockets/Lakers Game 5 | TNT |
3.3
|
6%
|
Sources: Turner, ESPN
