A big comeback lifted ESPN’s NBA coverage last week. In other news, a big-market rivalry gave NBCSN a boost last week, and ESPN posted an increase for its Super Tuesday doubleheader.
Grizzlies’ Comeback Against Warriors Up Double-Digits
- Grizzlies/Warriors scored a 1.3 final rating and 2.0 million viewers on ESPN’s NBA Friday last week, up 18% in ratings and 23% in viewership from Thunder/Lakers last year (1.1, 1.6M) and flat and up 15% respectively from Cavaliers/Warriors in 2015 (1.3, 1.8M). Earlier in the night, Knicks/Bucks had a 1.0 and 1.6 million — down 9% in both measures from Cavaliers/T’Wolves last year (1.1, 1.7M) and flat and up 6% respectively from Bulls/Wizards in ’15 (1.0, 1.5M).
Rangers/Flyers Up Big on NBCSN Last Week
- Rangers/Flyers had 514,000 viewers on last week’s edition of NHL Wednesday Night Rivalry on NBCSN, up 30% from Rangers/Lightning last year (394K). There was no comparable window the year before. Sabres/Blackhawks had 262,000 the following night (+25%) and Wild/Ducks scored 287,000 on Sunday. In other recent action, the January 3 Sabres/Rangers game had 210,000 (-6%) and Kings/Sharks had 272,000 in the nightcap.
ESPN Posts Gains For Super Tuesday
- Kentucky/Vanderbilt had 1.5 million viewers in the first half of ESPN’s Super Tuesday college basketball doubleheader, up 35% from Mississippi State/Kentucky last year (1.1M) and up 61% from Michigan/Ohio State in 2015 (958K). The Indiana/Maryland nightcap had 1.3 million, up 10% from Maryland/Michigan last year (1.2M) but down 16% from Missouri/Kentucky in ’15 (1.5M).
(Numbers via Programming Insider, ShowBuzz Daily, Sports TV Ratings)
