Two marquee NBA matchups delivered in the ratings for ESPN and ABC.
Lakers-Clippers averaged a 2.3 rating and 3.62 million viewers on ABC’s NBA Sunday Showcase over the weekend, marking the fifth-largest audience of the NBA season, and the second-largest with Christmas games excluded.
The Lakers’ win increased 77% in ratings and 92% in viewership from ABC’s fourth Sunday window last season (Pacers-Sixers: 1.3, 1.88M) and 53% and 63% respectively from 2018 (Warriors-T’Wolves: 1.5, 2.22M).
It ranked second among weekend sporting events behind the competing NASCAR Cup Series race on FOX (2.7, 4.58M) and took top honors in the key adult demographics. Among all weekend programs, it tied for first in adults 18-34 (0.9) and second in adults 18-49 (1.2).
On Friday night, Bucks-Lakers averaged a 1.6 and 2.43 million on ESPN, the network’s fifth-largest audience of the season.* Across all networks, it ranks 15th, with the Lakers having played in 12 of the top 15.
Ratings increased 14% and viewership 16% from the same matchup last year (1.4, 2.10M) and 129% and 143% respectively from 2018 (T’Wolves-Jazz: 0.7, 999K).
Earlier Friday, Heat-Pelicans averaged a 1.0 (+11%) and 1.51 million (+8%) on ESPN.
Rounding out the recent slate, Sixers-Warriors averaged a 1.3 and 1.93 million on ABC’s NBA Saturday Primetime — down 32% in ratings and 37% in viewership from ABC’s seventh Saturday night game last season (Celtics-Lakers: 1.9, 3.07M) and down a tick and 12% respectively from 2018 (Spurs-Thunder: 1.4, 2.19M).
* Excludes Clippers-Lakers on Christmas, which aired on both ABC and ESPN. While the game combined for a 4.6 and 8.76 million, the ESPN portion had a 1.0 and 1.77 million.
Most-watched NBA games, 2019-20 season
[Nielsen estimates from ShowBuzz Daily 3.10]
