The Warriors delivered the NBA’s top first round playoff audience since the days of NBC.
Game 4 of the Warriors/Rockets NBA playoff series drew a 4.5 final rating and 7.2 million viewers on ABC last Sunday, up 10% in ratings and 11% in viewership from Clippers/Spurs last year (4.1, 6.5M) and up 7% and 12%, respectively, from Clippers/Warriors in 2014 (4.2, 6.5M).
The Warriors’ blowout win, which peaked at a 5.0 and 8.3 million from 5:30-6 PM ET, ranks as the most-watched first round NBA playoff game since the last one to air on NBC — Lakers/Blazers Game 3 in 2002 (8.6M). The previous high over that span was just over seven million for Celtics/Knicks Game 4 in 2011.
Sunday’s game also tied the highest first round rating since Lakers/Rockets Game 4 in 2004 (4.8), matching Game 4 of Heat/Knicks in 2012.
Earlier in the day, ABC drew a 2.3 and 3.5 million for Game 4 of Spurs/Grizzlies — down 28% in ratings and 29% in viewership from Cavaliers/Celtics last year (3.2, 4.9M) and down 21% and 19%, respectively, from Bulls/Wizards in 2014 (2.9, 4.3M).
The 2.3 rating is tied as the sixth-lowest ever an NBA playoff game on ABC, regardless of round.
Most-Watched First Round NBA Playoff Games
Since NBC lost rights in 2002
| # | Game | Net | Rtg. | Vwrs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warriors/Rockets 2016, Game 4 |
ABC | 4.5 | 7.24M |
| 2 | Celtics/Knicks 2011, Game 4 |
ABC | 4.2 | 7.02M |
| 3 | Heat/Knicks 2012, Game 4 |
ABC | 4.5 | 7.01M |
| 4 | T’Wolves/Lakers 2003, Game 4 |
ABC | 4.9 | 7.01M |
| 5 | Lakers/Rockets 2004, Game 4 |
ABC | 4.8 | 7.01M |
| 6 | Bulls/Celtics 2009, Game 7 |
TNT | 4.4 | 6.99M |
| 7 | Clippers/Spurs 2015, Game 4 |
ABC | 4.1 | 6.51M |
| 8 | Mavericks/Spurs 2014, Game 7 |
ABC | 4.2 | 6.49M |
| 9 | Clippers/Warriors 2014, Game 4 |
ABC | 4.2 | 6.47M |
| 10 | Nuggets/Lakers 2012, Game 7 |
TNT | 4.1 | 6.46M |
(Wknd. numbers from ESPN Media Zone, Sports Business Daily)
