2015 NBA Finals Highest-Rated Since Michael Jordan’s Last Title

Thursday’s Game 4 delivered a 13.9 overnight rating, according to Nielsen—the highest-rated Game 4 on ABC in over a decade. Through four games, the NBA Finals is averaging a 13.1 overnight rating, which is up 26 percent from last year and the most since Michael Jordan’s last Finals appearance in 1998.

From ESPN:

The 2015 NBA Finals, in which the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are tied 2-2, is the highest-rated ever on ABC through four games, according to Nielsen. Last night’s Game 4 delivered a 13.9 overnight rating, which is the highest-rated Game 4 on ABC in over a decade and up 31 percent from a 10.6 for last year’s Game 4 (Miami-San Antonio). The broadcast peaked with a 16.0 from 11:15-11:30 p.m. ET.

 

Locally, the NBA Finals on ABC continues to deliver big numbers. In the Cleveland market, Game 4 generated a 45.7 rating, which is the second-highest rated NBA game ever on ABC (Game 3 was the highest). In the San Francisco market, the broadcast delivered a 30.5 rating, which is the third-highest rated NBA game ever on ABC (Games 2 and 3 rank as the highest).

 

Through four games, the record-setting 2015 NBA Finals is averaging a 13.1 overnight rating, which is up 26 percent from a 10.4 last year.

 

Additionally, the NBA Finals is expected to win the night across all of television (broadcast and cable) for the 46th consecutive time.