The NBA Finals gave ABC great numbers in both ratings and viewership. The six game series averaged a viewership of 19.9 million and the rating ended up at an impressive 11.6. Both of those numbers were up 30% and 26% respectively from the 2014 Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs.
The viewership numbers were the best since 1998 when NBC aired the NBA and the Chicago Bulls won their last of six championships against the Utah Jazz. That series averaged 29 million viewers.
As for the rating, it was the best since 2001’s finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers.
For Game 6 on Tuesday, the viewership averaged an astounding 23.254 million while the rating was 13.4. In San Francisco, the game garnered a record 40.7 rating while Cleveland had a 42.0.
Here’s the announcement from ESPN.
Most-Watched & Highest-Rated NBA Finals Ever on ABCGame 6 Averages 23,254,000 Viewers; Broadcast Peaks with Audience of 28,744,000
The 2015 NBA Finals, in which the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-2, is the most-watched and highest-rated ever on ABC, according to Nielsen. The six-game series averaged nearly 20 million viewers (19,939,000 P2+) and an 11.6 U.S. household rating, up 30 percent and 26 percent, respectively, from the 2014 NBA Finals (Miami-San Antonio).
Last night’s Game 6 delivered an average audience of 23,254,000 viewers, peaking with 28,744,000 viewers from 11:45 p.m.-midnight ET, and a 13.4 U.S. household rating. This was up 13 percent and nine percent, respectively, from the most recent NBA Finals Game 6, which was in 2013 (Miami-San Antonio).
For the 48th consecutive time, the NBA Finals propelled ABC to win the night across all of television (broadcast and cable) and across all key demos, more than doubling its competition.
NBA Finals on WatchESPN
The 2015 NBA Finals was the most-viewed ever on WatchESPN. It averaged 757,000 unique viewers, which was up 102 percent from last year. Additionally, it delivered an average minute audience of 207,000 viewers, up 116 percent from 2014.
NBA Finals on ESPN Deportes
The NBA Finals on ESPN Deportes averaged a 0.7 Hispanic Household Rating with 144,000 Hispanic viewers (P2+). The series is tied with 2014 for the highest-rated ever in Spanish-language. Last night’s Game 6 averaged a 1.1 Hispanic Household Rating with 243,000 Hispanic viewers, up 22 percent and 17 percent, respectively, for Game 6 in 2013.
NBA Countdown, ABC’s NBA Finals pre-game show, averaged 5,466,000 viewers and a 3.5 U.S. household rating through six games. This is up 21 percent and 23 percent, respectively, from 2014. Last night’s Game 6 Countdown show averaged 6,568,000 viewers and a 4.3 rating
That is all.
