Though down from last year’s seven-game series, the 2011 NBA Finals ranks as one of the strongest television attractions in recent NBA history.
ABC averaged a 10.2 household rating and 17.339 million viewers for coverage of the Mavericks/Heat NBA Finals, down 4% in ratings and viewership from last year (LAL/BOS: 10.6, 18.144M), but up 21% in both measures compared to 2009 (LAL/ORL: 8.4, 14.347M).
Keep in mind last year’s NBA Finals went seven games. Compared to last year’s six-game averages (9.7, 16.433M), ratings and viewership for this year’s series increased by 5% and 6%, respectively.
The last time the Heat and Mavericks played each other in the NBA Finals, the series averaged an 8.5 and 12.972 million viewers — solid numbers during the league’s mid-2000s doldrums.
Of the nine NBA Finals on ABC (2003 to present), this year’s series ranks third in ratings and viewership, behind only last year and 2004 (LAL/DET: 11.5, 17.942M). In addition, the series ranks as the most-viewed NBA Finals since 1998 that did not involve the Lakers (CHI/UTA: 29.040M, NBC).
After a five season stretch when the NBA Finals failed to average at least 10% of U.S. TV homes each year (2005 to 2009), the event has hit double-digits in back-to-back years.
Among adults 18-49, this year’s NBA Finals averaged a 7.1 rating — down 3% from last year’s seven-game average (7.3), but up 20% from 2009 (5.9). This year’s NBA Finals is tied with 1999 as the fifth-highest rated in the demo since the 1998-99 lockout (13 series), behind last year, 2000 (7.6), 2004 (7.9), and 2001 (8.6).
This year’s NBA Finals averaged a higher rating and more viewers than the most recent World Series (SF/TEX: 8.4, 14.3M, FOX), the 2011 NCAA Final Four (9.8, 17.0M, CBS), and the 2011 Bowl Championship Series (9.5, 16.724M, ESPN).
Averages for the Final Four and Bowl Championship Series include the sports’ respective National Championship games.
Average Ratings/Viewership For the NBA Finals
Dating back to 1995
|
Year
|
Series
|
Net
|
Rating
|
Viewers (000)
|
A18-49
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2011
|
DAL 4, MIA 2 | ABC |
10.2
|
17,339
|
7.1
|
|
2010
|
LAL 4, BOS 3 | ABC |
10.6
|
18,144
|
7.3
|
|
2009
|
LAL 4, ORL 1 | ABC |
8.4
|
14,347
|
5.9
|
|
2008
|
BOS 4, LAL 2 | ABC |
9.3
|
14,941
|
6.1
|
|
2007
|
SA 4, CLE 0 | ABC |
6.2
|
9,289
|
3.7
|
|
2006
|
MIA 4, DAL 2 | ABC |
8.5
|
12,972
|
5.3
|
|
2005
|
SA 4, DET 3 | ABC |
8.2
|
12,544
|
5.1
|
|
2004
|
DET 4, LAL 1 | ABC |
11.5
|
17,942
|
7.9
|
|
2003
|
SA 4, NJ 2 | ABC |
6.5
|
9,864
|
4.1
|
|
2002
|
LAL 4, NJ 0 | NBC |
10.2
|
15,678
|
6.7
|
|
2001
|
LAL 4, PHI 1 | NBC |
12.1
|
18,996
|
8.6
|
|
2000
|
LAL 4, IND 2 | NBC |
11.6
|
17,402
|
7.6
|
|
1999
|
SA 4, NY 1 | NBC |
11.3
|
16,014
|
7.1
|
|
1998
|
CHI 4, UTA 2 | NBC |
18.7
|
29,040
|
13.1
|
|
1997
|
CHI 4, UTA 2 | NBC |
16.8
|
25,586
|
?
|
|
1996
|
CHI 4, SEA 2 | NBC |
16.7
|
24,858
|
?
|
|
1995
|
HOU 4, ORL 0 | NBC |
13.9
|
20,078
|
?
|
(This year’s numbers from espnmediazone3.com; updated averages from Sports Business Daily)
