Want more evidence that
forecasts of the lockout’s adverse effects on the NBA’s business were
overblown? Game 1 of the Miami Heat-Oklahoma City Thunder series drew an 11.8
overnight Nielsen rating on ABC Tuesday night, the network’s highest overnight
for the opening game of a Finals series since it acquired NBA rights prior to
the 2002-03 season, SportsBusiness Daily reports.
While last year’s NBA
ratings success was largely attributed to the formation of Miami’s Big Three
stirring up interest in the league, the 11.8 for Tuesday’s game marks a 10
percent jump from a 10.7 overnight for the Mavericks-Heat opener last year.
While the Thunder offer their own compelling storylines, the novelty around the
Heat apparently hasn't worn off.
The Thunder and Heat drew big
TV ratings for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. (AP Photo)
It’s also the best
overnight for the opening game of an NBA Finals series since NBC earned a 12.9
for Lakers-Nets in '02.
Tuesday's Game 1 rating
follows viewership for the Heat-Celtics East finals that ESPN trumpeted as its
highest-rated and most-viewed ever. Game 7 of that series earned an 8.9 cable
rating (which translates into a 7.7 national rating), the highest-ever for an
NBA game on cable television.
ABC’s overall ratings
success for the Finals, however, will largely be determined by how competitive
the series becomes. The longer it goes, the higher the ratings are likely to
spike.
SIGN UP NOW FOR BIG BIG CASH REWARDS. JUST CLICK THE IMAGE.
0 comments:
Post a Comment