Aided by the Heat and Celtics, ABC scored double-digit increases for coverage of the NBA Playoffs on Easter Sunday.
ABC earned a 5.0 overnight rating for the Celtics’ series-clinching Game 4 win over the Knicks on Sunday, up 9% from last year (CLE/CHI G4: 4.6), and up 14% from 2009 (CLE/DET G4: 4.4).
The 5.0 overnight is the highest for a first round NBA Playoff game on ABC since Suns/Lakers Game 4 in 2006 (5.1), an overtime game in which Kobe Bryant hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer.
Earlier in the day, the Heat’s Game 4 loss to the Sixers drew a 4.0 overnight, up 29% from last year (BOS/MIA G4: 3.1), and even with 2009 (BOS/CHI G4: 4.0).
Keep in mind the 2009 Celtics/Bulls game was a double-overtime affair.
(Numbers from ESPN)
