Even in a relatively forgettable week, NBA ratings continue to rise.
On Thursday, Cavaliers-Raptors scored 1.8 million viewers on TNT — up 24% from last year (Bulls-Knicks: 1.4M) despite Toronto’s lopsided 34-point win. The Spurs-Lakers nightcap had 1.6 million (+2%). Ratings were not immediately available.
It should be noted that Thursday’s games declined 39% and 33% respectively from TNT’s 2016 doubleheader, Cavaliers-Spurs (2.9M) and Lakers-Warriors (2.4M).
The previous night, ESPN scored a 1.2 rating and 1.72 million viewers for the Clippers’ upset of the Warriors — up 9% in ratings and 4% in viewership from last year (Cavs-Blazers: 1.1, 1.6M) and up 50% and 40% respectively from 2016 (Heat-Clippers: 0.8, 1.2M).
Thunder-T’Wolves drew a 1.1 (+22%) and 1.66 million (+24%) earlier in the night.
Going back to last Friday, ESPN drew 1.6 million for T’Wolves-Celtics (+1%) and 1.3 million for Wizards-Grizzlies. The latter game was a rare dud, declining 36% from last year (Grizzlies-Warriors: 2.0M) and down 21% from 2016 (Thunder-Lakers: 1.7M).
ESPN figures now include streaming viewership on TV devices; all comparisons are to TV-only numbers last year.
[Numbers via ShowBuzz Daily 1.8, 1.12, Programming Insider 1.11]
