Conference Finals TV Ratings Down from Last Year

Execs at both TNT and ESPN are no doubt less than thrilled with the fact that things have been so lopsided in the both Conference Finals series, resulting in lower viewership numbers compared to a year ago. Reports Sports Media Watch: “Though solid, ratings and viewership for the NBA Conference Finals have not been able to measure up to last season. Wednesday’s Suns/Lakers Game 2 drew a 4.4 U.S. rating and 7.0 million viewers on TNT, down 4% in ratings and viewership from Magic/Cavaliers Game 1 on the comparable night last year (4.6, 7.3 mil), but up 7% and 13%, respectively, from Spurs/Lakers Game 1 in ’08 (4.1, 6.1 mil). Compared to Game 2 of last year’s Nuggets/Lakers West Finals on ESPN, Wednesday’s game was down 10% and 11%, respectively, from a 4.9 and 7.9 million viewers. Suns/Lakers Game 2 is the second straight Conference Final game to have a decline in ratings and viewership versus the comparable night last year. Monday’s Suns/Lakers Game 1 drew similar numbers, but there was no comparable Monday night game last year. Dating back to April 29, 14 of the last 23 NBA Playoff games on cable have had declines in ratings compared to last year.”