The highest-profile series of the NBA’s second round delivered a postseason high for ABC.
Game 4 of the Cavaliers/Bulls NBA playoff series drew a 5.5 overnight rating on ABC Sunday afternoon, up 31% from Thunder/Clippers last year (4.2), up 34% from Spurs/Warriors in 2013 (4.1), and the network’s highest overnight of the playoffs (eight telecasts).
It is also the highest overnight for a first or second round game on ABC since Heat/Pacers Game 4 in 2012 (5.9).
Overnight ratings have now increased for all three Cavaliers playoff games on ABC, while each of the network’s five non-Cavaliers games have been flat or declined.
On Saturday, Warriors/Grizzlies Game 3 drew a 4.0 overnight — down 7% from Heat/Nets last year (4.3) and down a tick from Knicks/Pacers in 2013 (4.1). The 4.0 is tied as the lowest for a primetime playoff game on ABC in seven years, since Celtics/Cavaliers in 2008 (3.9). Only Cavaliers/Hawks in 2009 earned as low an overnight.
The numbers were also mixed on cable. Game 3 of Hawks/Wizards drew a mere 1.8 overnight on ESPN Saturday afternoon, down a third from Thunder/Grizzlies in 2013 (2.7). There was no game in the window last year. TNT drew a 4.0 for Rockets/Clippers Game 4 Sunday night, up 8% from Pacers/Wizards last year (3.7), and a rare increase for a non-Cavaliers game.
Shifting to Friday, ESPN drew a 4.3 for Cavaliers/Bulls Game 3 — up 59% from Pacers/Wizards opposite the NFL Draft last year (2.7) but down 14% from Heat/Bulls in 2013 (5.0). The Rockets/Clippers nightcap had a 3.9, even with Thunder/Clippers opposite last year’s draft, and down 15% from Spurs/Warriors in 2013 (4.6).
(Wknd. numbers via ESPN, ShowBuzz Daily)
