The numbers may not be as large as during the long-ago Jordan era — or even the more recent Kobe/Shaq era — but the 2010 NBA Finals continues to deliver very impressive numbers for ABC.
The Celtics’ Game 4 win over the Lakers drew a 9.9/18 final rating and 16.4 million viewers on ABC Thursday night, up 5% in ratings and 3% in viewership from Lakers/Magic Game 4 last year (9.4, 16.0 mil), up 14% and 19%, respectively, from Celtics/Lakers Game 4 in 2008 (8.7, 13.8 mil), and up 52% and 65%, respectively, from Spurs/Cavaliers Game 4 in 2007 (6.5, 9.9 mil).
This marks the highest rated, most-viewed Game 4 of the NBA Finals since Lakers/Pistons Game 4 in 2004 (12.7, 20.3 mil).
Additionally, this is the third straight year — and the fourth time in the past five years — that ratings and viewership have increased for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Game 4 ranks as the sixth most-viewed NBA game on ABC since the network acquired the rights in 2002, and the third most-viewed when series-clinching games are excluded. Through four games, the Lakers/Celtics series accounts for three of the 11 most-viewed NBA games on ABC and two of the top nine.
The last three games have drawn at least a 9.0 rating and 15 million viewers. Of the previous 29 NBA Finals games (dates back to 2005), only seven drew ratings of 9.0 or higher, and only five drew more than 15 million viewers.
The last time the Lakers and Celtics met in the NBA Finals (2008), three of the first four games failed to draw even 14 million viewers, much less 15 million.
Thursday’s game drew a 6.6 rating among adults 18-49, up 3% from last year (6.4), up 18% from 2008 (5.6), and the highest Game 4 rating in the demographic since 2004 (9.1).
Through four games, ABC is averaging a 9.3 rating and 15.5 million viewers for the 2010 NBA Finals, up 9% in ratings and 8% in viewership from last year (8.5, 14.3 mil) and up 6% and 12%, respectively, from 2008 (8.8, 13.8 mil). The series is also averaging a 6.3 rating among adults 18-49, up 7% from last year (5.9).
To put the numbers in perspective, the NBA Finals trails the 2009 World Series, which averaged an 11.5 rating and 19.1 million viewers through four games. However, among adults 18-49, Lakers/Celtics leads Yankees/Phillies 6.3 to 6.1.
Ratings For Game 4 of the NBA Finals Since 1995 (Viewership Since ’01, Adults 18-49 Rating Since ’03)
| Year | Date | Game | # | Net | Rating | Viewers | A18-49 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Thu., 6/10/10 | Lakers/Celtics | 4 | ABC |
9.9
|
16,371
|
6.6
|
| 2009 | Thu., 6/11/09 | Lakers/Magic | 4 | ABC |
9.4
|
15,957
|
6.4
|
| 2008 | Thu., 6/12/08 | Celtics/Lakers | 4 | ABC |
8.7
|
13,762
|
5.6
|
| 2007 | Thu., 6/14/07 | Spurs/Cavaliers | 4 | ABC |
6.5
|
9,908
|
4.0
|
| 2006 | Thu., 6/15/06 | Mavericks/Heat | 4 | ABC |
7.8
|
11,561
|
4.6
|
| 2005 | Thu., 6/16/05 | Spurs/Pistons | 4 | ABC |
7.2
|
10,917
|
4.4
|
| 2004 | Sun., 6/13/04 | Lakers/Pistons | 4 | ABC |
12.7
|
20,295
|
9.1
|
| 2003 | Wed., 6/11/03 | Spurs/Nets | 4 | ABC |
6.6
|
9,659
|
4.2
|
| 2002 | Wed., 6/12/02 | Lakers/Nets | 4 | NBC |
10.8
|
16,560
|
—
|
| 2001 | Wed., 6/13/01 | Lakers/76ers | 4 | NBC |
12.6
|
19,972
|
—
|
| 2000 | Wed., 6/14/00 | Lakers/Pacers | 4 | NBC |
13.1
|
—
|
—
|
| 1999 | Wed., 6/23/99 | Spurs/Knicks | 4 | NBC |
12.0
|
—
|
—
|
| 1998 | Wed., 6/10/98 | Jazz/Bulls | 4 | NBC |
19.1
|
—
|
—
|
| 1997 | Sun., 6/8/97 | Bulls/Jazz | 4 | NBC |
16.9
|
—
|
—
|
| 1996 | Wed., 6/12/96 | Bulls/Supersonics | 4 | NBC |
18.1
|
—
|
—
|
| 1995 | Wed., 6/14/95 | Magic/Rockets | 4 | NBC |
14.9
|
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|
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|
