Ratings and viewership declined for the 2010 NBA Playoffs on ESPN, but this year’s postseason still ranks as the second-best ever on the network.
ESPN averaged a 2.9 U.S. rating and 4.6 million viewers for the NBA Playoffs, down 7% in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year (3.1, 4.9 mil), but up 4% and 12%, respectively, from 2008 (2.8, 4.1 mil).
This marks the second-highest rated, second-most viewed NBA Playoffs ever on ESPN, behind only last year.
ESPN aired the top game of the NBA Playoffs on any network, as Cavaliers/Celtics Game 6 on May 13 drew a 5.7 U.S. rating and 9.0 million viewers. That game ranks as the highest rated, most-viewed second round game ever on cable television.
The Celtics/Magic Eastern Conference Finals averaged a 4.5 U.S. rating and 7.1 million viewers on ESPN (5 games), down 15% in ratings and 18% in viewership from Lakers/Nuggets on ESPN last year (5.3, 8.7 mil), but up 13% and 18%, respectively, from Celtics/Pistons in ’08 (4.0, 6.0 mil).
Celtics/Magic ranks as the second-highest rated, second-most viewed Conference Final ever on ESPN.
Overall, the Lakers/Suns and Celtics/Magic Conference Finals rank among the five highest rated, most-viewed Conference Finals on cable since the current television format went into effect in ’02.
Viewership For The NBA Playoffs on ESPN Since 2006
(ESPN)
