For all the talk of how “load management” affects the NBA’s TV partners, ratings rose for the game Kawhi Leonard skipped — and sank for the game he played. Also: the latest numbers for the NHL, UFC and ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.
Kawhi’s absence no problem for ESPN
Bucks-Clippers averaged a 0.9 rating and 1.29 million viewers on the latest edition of ESPN NBA Wednesday, up 27% in ratings and 20% in viewership from last year (Spurs-Suns: 0.7, 1.07M) and up 100% and 90% respectively from 2017, when coverage aired opposite a World Series Game 7 (Mavericks-Clippers: 0.45, 677K).
Clippers F Kawhi Leonard sat out the game due to rest. He played the following night when the Clippers hosted Portland on TNT, and that game averaged a lower rating (0.6) and fewer viewers (878K) en route to double-digit declines from both last year (Pelicans-Blazers: 0.7, 1.08M) and 2017 (Lakers-Blazers: 1.2, 1.79M). Keep in mind it faced NFL competition.
In other action, Warriors-Rockets averaged a 1.0 (+10%) and 1.49 million (+9%) on ESPN Wednesday; Celtics-Hornets a 0.5 (-41%) and 830,000 (-35%) on TNT Thursday; and Lakers-Bulls a 0.37 and 587,000 (+328%) on NBA TV Tuesday.
Bruins-Habs hits Tuesday high on NBCSN
NBCSN averaged a 0.24 rating and 408,000 viewers for Tuesday’s Bruins-Canadiens NHL regular season game, the network’s most-watched Tuesday night game since March 2016 (Penguins-Capitals: 465K). Montreal’s win delivered the fourth-largest audience of the season.
The Blackhawks-Sharks nightcap averaged 155,000.
On Wednesday, Red Wings-Rangers averaged a 0.25 (-34%) and 352,000 (-45%). Last year’s comparable game was Penguins-Capitals (0.38, 642K).
UFC 244 prelims up from same weekend last year
UFC 244 prelims averaged a 0.51 rating and 910,000 viewers on ESPN2 last Saturday night, up 31% in ratings and 43% in viewership from UFC 230 prelims on the same weekend last year (0.39, 635K), but down 24% and 29% respectively from UFC 217 prelims two years ago (0.7, 1.28M). Those telecasts aired on FS1.
The telecast outdrew Top Rank Boxing on ESPN later in the night (0.40, 635K).
Date change sinks French ISU GP event
Taped coverage of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Internationaux de France averaged a 0.6 rating and 889,000 viewers on NBC last Sunday, down a tick in ratings and 20% in viewership from last year, when coverage aired over Thanksgiving weekend (0.7, 1.11M).
Despite the drop, it was the most-watched ISU GP telecast thus far.
[Nielsen estimates from Programming Insider 11.6, 11.8 a, b; ShowBuzz Daily 11.6; NBC Sports PR/Twitter 11.7]
