The 2009-10 NBA season was the second most-viewed in ABC’s eight years televising the NBA.
ABC averaged a 2.3 rating and 3.7 million viewers for NBA games during the 2009-10 season, flat in ratings and virtually flat in viewership (3.69 mil to 3.68 mil) compared to last year, and up 5% and 16%, respectively, from two years ago (2.2, 3.2 mil).
This marks the second most-viewed NBA season on ABC since the network acquired rights to the league in ’02, topped by only the 2002-03 season.
ABC has not had a decline in regular season NBA ratings or viewership in three years.
For perspective, FOX averaged a 1.8 rating and 2.7 million viewers for MLB coverage during the 2009 season.
Last Sunday’s doubleheader suffered opposite The Masters on CBS. Magic/Cavaliers drew just a 1.4 rating, down 7% from Mavericks/Hornets last year (1.5), and down 13% from Raptors/Pistons in ’08 (1.6).
Meanwhile, Blazers/Lakers drew a 1.7 rating, down 15% from Celtics/Cavaliers last year (2.0), down 29% from Spurs/Lakers in ’08 (2.4), and the lowest rated national Laker game on broadcast television since at least ’91.
The highest rated, most-viewed game of the season on ABC was Cavaliers/Lakers on Christmas Day (4.4, 8.3 mil). Excluding Christmas Day, the top game was Lakers/Celtics on January 31 (3.5, 5.6 mil).
One reason ABC’s ratings held steady this season is the fact that the network avoided competing with the NCAA Tournament. Typically, ABC draws its lowest regular season ratings opposite the event. Had ABC avoided the NCAA Tournament last year, eliminating low rated Heat/Pistons (1.2) and Mavericks/Cavaliers (1.6) games, the average rating would have been a 2.5.
Ratings/Viewership For NBA on ABC During 2009-10 Season
| Date | Game | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., 12/25/09 | Celtics 86 | ABC |
3.3
|
5,855
|
| Magic 77 | ||||
| Cavaliers 102 | ABC |
4.4
|
8,316
|
|
| Lakers 87 | ||||
| Sun., 1/31/10 | Nuggets 103 | ABC |
1.6
|
2,328
|
| Spurs 89 | ||||
| Lakers 90 | ABC |
3.5
|
5,655
|
|
| Celtics 89 | ||||
| Sun., 2/7/10 | Magic 96 | ABC |
1.6
|
2,484
|
| Celtics 89 | ||||
| Sun., 2/21/10 | Cavaliers 95 | ABC |
1.9
|
2,862
|
| Magic 101 | ||||
| Celtics 105 | ABC |
2.3
|
3,534
|
|
| Nuggets 114 | ||||
| Sun., 2/28/10 | Suns 110 | ABC |
1.3
|
1,905
|
| Spurs 113 | ||||
| Nuggets 89 | ABC |
2.0
|
3,102
|
|
| Lakers 95 | ||||
| Sun., 3/7/10 | Lakers 94 | ABC |
2.1
|
3,176
|
| Magic 96 | ||||
| Sun., 3/14/10 | Celtics 93 | ABC |
2.4
|
3,808
|
| Cavaliers 104 | ||||
| Sun., 4/4/10 | Cavaliers 113 | ABC |
2.1
|
3,303
|
| Celtics 117 | ||||
| Spurs 100 | ABC |
2.5
|
3,957
|
|
| Lakers 81 | ||||
| Sun., 4/11/10 | Magic 98 | ABC |
1.4
|
—
|
| Cavaliers 92 | ||||
| Trail Blazers 91 | ABC |
1.7
|
—
|
|
| Lakers 88 |
(ESPN)
