The Warriors’ back-to-back title run started with a multi-year high on ABC.
Game 1 of the Rockets/Warriors NBA playoff series had a 3.1 final rating and 4.8 million viewers on ABC last Saturday afternoon, up 35% in ratings and 36% in viewership from Pelicans/Warriors last year (2.3, 3.5M) and up 11% and 9%, respectively, from Warriors/Clippers in 2014 (2.8, 4.4M).
The Warriors’ win ranks as the most-watched game on the opening Saturday of the playoffs since Sonics/Spurs on NBC in 2002 (4.9M) and is tied as the highest rated since Suns/Spurs in 2008 (3.2).
On Sunday, Pistons/Cavaliers Game 1 drew a 3.4 and 5.35 million viewers — down a tick in ratings and 1% in viewership from Celtics/Cavaliers last year (3.5, 5.40M) and up a tick and down a fraction of a percent, respectively, from Bobcats/Heat in 2014 (3.3, 5.36M).
The Cavaliers’ win tied the highest sports rating of the weekend, matching the competing NASCAR race on FOX. NASCAR came out slightly ahead in viewership (5.46M to 5.35M).
Ratings/Viewership For Opening Weekend of NBA Playoffs on ABC
Since ABC began airing games on both days in 2005
| Year | Saturday | Sunday | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game | Rtg. | Vwrs. | Game | Rtg. | Vwrs. | |
| 2016 | Rockets Warriors |
3.1 | 4.77M | Pistons Cavaliers |
3.4 | 5.35M |
| 2015 | Pelicans Warriors |
2.3 | 3.49M | Celtics Cavaliers |
3.5 | 5.40M |
| 2014 | Warriors Clippers |
2.8 | 4.36M | Bobcats Heat |
3.3 | 5.36M |
| 2013 | Celtics Knicks |
2.9 | 4.41M | Lakers Spurs |
3.6 | 5.51M |
| 2012 | Knicks Heat |
3.1 | 4.75M | Nuggets Lakers |
3.3 | 4.88M |
| 2011 | Sixers Heat |
3.0 | 4.55M | Hornets Lakers |
3.7 | 5.95M |
| 2010 | Bulls Cavaliers |
2.5 | 3.68M | Thunder Lakers |
3.3 | 5.13M |
| 2009 | Pistons Cavaliers |
2.2 | 3.13M | Jazz Lakers |
3.2 | 4.83M |
| 2008 | Suns Spurs |
3.2 | 4.58M | Nuggets Lakers |
3.5 | 5.12M |
| 2007 | Heat Bulls |
2.2 | 2.95M | Lakers Suns |
3.0 | 4.30M |
| 2006 | Wizards Cavaliers |
2.4 | 3.34M | Lakers Suns |
3.4 | 4.68M |
| 2005 | Sixers Pistons |
2.1 | 3.00M | Nets Heat |
3.1 | 4.26M |
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily)
