The surging Sixers’ first two playoff games were a mixed bag nationally, but a big hit locally.
Saturday’s Heat-Sixers NBA Playoffs Game 1 had a 2.5 rating and 4.0 million viewers on ESPN, up 32% in ratings and 27% in viewership from last year (Grizzlies-Spurs: 1.9, 3.2M) and up 32% and 37% respectively from 2016 (Celtics-Hawks: 1.9, 2.9M).
It was ESPN’s most-watched opening weekend playoff game since 2012 (Mavericks-Thunder: 4.1M).
Game 2 of the series on Monday had 3.4 million viewers on TNT, down 5% from last year (Pacers-Cavs: 3.6M) but up 7% from 2016 (Mavs-Thunder: 3.2M). Ratings were not immediately available.
National figures do not include viewership on local RSNs. Game 1 had a 6.1 rating on NBC Sports Philadelphia, at the time the highest Sixers rating on the network since 2003. That was surpassed by a 7.3 for Game 2, the network’s highest Sixers rating since 2002.
In other action, Game 2 of Spurs-Warriors had 3.65 million on TNT Monday night — up 15% from last year (Grizzlies-Spurs: 3.17M) but down 17% from 2016 (Rockets-Warriors: 4.42M).
Returning to the weekend, Timberwolves-Rockets Game 1 drew a 2.7 (-10%) and 4.4 million (-14%) on TNT Sunday, leading all weekend playoff games on cable.
Earlier in the day, Jazz-Thunder had a 2.5 (-14%) and 4.1 million (-20%) and Bucks-Celtics a 2.0 (+33%) and 3.2 million (+24%). Finally, Pelicans-Trail Blazers had a 2.0 (+11%) and 3.0 million (+4%) and Wizards-Raptors a 1.8 (+13%) and 2.9 million (+11%) on ESPN Saturday.
As previously noted, ABC’s Sunday afternoon Pacers-Cavaliers game scored the highest opening weekend playoff rating in 15 years.
[Numbers from ShowBuzz Daily 4.17, NBC Sports]
