ABC’s NBA Finals Game 5 Audience Up 21% vs. Game 5 in 2006

Based on fast national ratings, Game 5
of the best-of-seven NBA Finals on ABC – the Los Angeles Lakers and
Boston Celtics – on Sunday, June 15, averaged 17,257,000
viewers (P2+), an increase of 21 percent compared to Game 5 in 2006
(there was no Game 5 last year), which averaged 14,318,000 viewers for
Dallas at Miami. The Lakers/Celtics game averaged 11,393,000
households, an increase of 13 percent over 10,049,000 households in
2006, and a 10.1 rating, up 11 percent over a 9.1 in 2006. It was the most-watched NBA Finals Game since Game 7 of 2005 (18,997,000 viewers).
Through five broadcasts, the 2008 NBA Finals are averaging a 9.0 rating, up 45 percent over the four-game series last year (6.2).
Los Angeles avoided elimination with a
103-98 victory that sends the series back to Boston for Game 6 with the
Celtics leading 3-2 on ABC tomorrow, Tuesday, June 17.
For the fifth consecutive broadcast, the
NBA Finals sparked ABC to “win the night” among all television
networks. The NBA Finals averaged more homes and viewers than any
other show, with ABC winning primetime overall among all networks.

Viewership peaked in the 11:30 p.m. to midnight (8:30 – 9 p.m. PT) half hour.