Most-Watched & Highest-Rated NBA Finals Ever on ABC through Three Games
- Nearly 18.8 Million Viewers is Largest Game 3 Audience Ever on ABC; Broadcast Peaks with 23.5 Million Viewers
The 2015 NBA Finals is the most-watched and highest-rated NBA Finals ever on ABC through three games, according to Nielsen. The series is averaging 18,463,000 viewers (P2+) and a 10.8 U.S. household rating, up 25 and 21 percent, respectfully, from last year’s Miami-San Antonio series.
Tuesday’s Game 3, in which the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 2-1 series lead over the Golden State Warriors, generated nearly 18.8 million viewers (18,773,000), making it the largest audience ever for a Game 3 on ABC. The broadcast peaked on ABC with 23,527,000 viewers from 11:30-11:45 p.m. ET. Additionally, Game 3 was up 29 percent from 14,579,000 viewers for last year’s Game 3.
Last night’s Game 3 also drew an 11.1 U.S. household rating, making it ABC’s highest-rated Game 3 ever. The peak rating was a 13.8 from 11:30-11:45 p.m. The rating was up 26 percent from an 8.8 for last year’s Game 3.
The NBA Finals propelled ABC to win the night for the 45th consecutive time across all of television (broadcast and cable) and across all key demos. Game 3 nearly doubled its competition Tuesday night.
NBA Countdown, ABC’s NBA pre-game show, averaged 5,453,000 viewers, which is up 17 percent from 4,641,000 viewers from last year. The broadcast earned a 3.6 U.S. household rating, up 20 percent from a 3.0 from last year’s Game 3 pre-game show.
For details on metered market ratings, WatchESPN viewership and local market numbers, please visit ESPN Media Zone for this morning’s press release.
The 2015 NBA Finals will continue with Game 4 on Thursday, June 11, at 9 p.m. on ABC. Mike Breen, in his record-setting 10th season as the voice of The Finals, will continue to provide commentary with analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson and reporter Doris Burke. NBA Countdown will precede the broadcast at 8:30 p.m. with host Sage Steele and analysts Jalen Rose and Doug Collins.
ABC has been the exclusive home of the NBA Finals since the 2002-03 season.
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Media contact: Ben Cafardo at 860-766-3496 or ben.cafardo@espn.com (@Ben_ESPN).
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