On one hand, the absence of the Spurs, Jazz and Hawks from the Conference Finals can only be a good thing for the television ratings. On the other, the only thing worse than small markets (S.A., Utah) or no-name teams (Atlanta) is quick, uncompetitive series.
Sunday’s Suns/Spurs Game 4 drew a 2.8 U.S. rating and 4.6 million viewers on TNT, down 13% in ratings and 10% in viewership from Celtics/Magic Game 4 last year (3.2, 5.1 mil), but up 17% and 28%, respectively, from Hornets/Spurs Game 4 in ’08 (2.4, 3.6 mil).
The Suns’ win was the first of three straight series-clinching Game 4s on TNT.
On Monday, the Hawks’ series-ending loss to the Magic drew a 2.3 U.S. rating and 3.4 million viewers, down 12% in ratings and 14% in viewership from Cavaliers/Hawks Game 4 last year (2.6, 3.9 mil) and down 30% and 29%, respectively, from Celtics/Cavaliers Game 4 in ’08 (3.3, 4.8 mil).
Lakers/Jazz Game 4 was the only one of the three games to have an increase in ratings. The Lakers’ clincher drew a 3.2 and 5.1 million viewers, up 3% and 5%, respectively, from Nuggets/Mavericks Game 4 last year (3.1, 4.8 mil). There was game in the comparable timeslot in ’08.
