Thunder-Warriors Cooler on ABC, But Still up Big

It was not as big a draw as in previous years, but Thunder-Warriors still gave ABC’s NBA ratings a boost.

Thunder-Warriors had a 2.5 rating and 4.1 million viewers on ABC’s NBA Saturday Primetime last weekend, up 67% in ratings and 66% in viewership from last year (Bulls-Cavs: 1.5, 2.4M) but down 22% and 21% respectively from the same matchup in 2016 (3.2, 5.3M).

Despite the big increase, Golden State’s rout trailed previous Warriors-Thunder matchups on ABC. In addition to the aforementioned 2016 game, last year’s meeting had a 3.4 and 6.0 million. That was Kevin Durant‘s first game in Oklahoma City as an opponent.

This year’s game was not only a blowout, but faced tougher competition than usual — the Olympics.

While below previous Warriors-Thunder games, Saturday’s matchup continued a strong start to the season for ABC. Six of the network’s eight games that can be compared to last season have posted an increase.

In other action, Spurs-Cavaliers scored a 1.9 and 3.0 million on ABC’s NBA Sunday Showcase. There was no comparable telecast last season (ABC cleared its schedule for the Academy Awards). Later Sunday, Sixers-Wizards drew a 0.9 and 1.4 million on ESPN.

In other action, T’Wolves-Rockets scored a 0.9 (+13%) and 1.33 million (+5%) and Mavericks-Lakers a 0.9 (-8%) and 1.37 million (-11%) on ESPN’s NBA Friday doubleheader.

NBA Ratings, Viewership, on ABC This Season

** Last year’s comparable game aired on ESPN.

[Wknd. numbers from ShowBuzz Daily 2.27]