Recent sports TV ratings news, including ESPN’s most-viewed first round of the NBA Playoffs ever, numbers for the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Versus, and a strong opener for the Grizzlies/Thunder series in Oklahoma City.
- NBA Playoffs Hot on ESPN: ESPN averaged a 2.3 U.S. rating and 3.667 million viewers for first round coverage of the 2011 NBA Playoffs (eight telecasts), up 15% and 20%, respectively, from last year (2.0, 3.048M), and the most-viewed first round ever on the network. The entire first round across ESPN, ABC and TNT averaged 4.15 million viewers, up 30% from last year (3.2M). (espnmediazone.com, Associated Press)
- Stanley Cup Numbers on Versus: Monday’s Game 2 of the Bruins/Flyers series earned a 1.0 U.S. rating and 1.699 million viewers on Versus. The night before, Lightning/Capitals Game 2 drew a 0.8 and 1.261 million. (Son of the Bronx 1, 2)
- Grizzlies/Thunder Opens Strong in OKC: Sunday’s Game 1 between the Grizzlies and Thunder earned a 19.7 rating in Oklahoma City on ABC affiliate KOCO. Later in the day, the market turned in an impressive 11.2 rating for Celtics/Heat Game 1. (newsok.com)
