A 12.6 rating for Game 5 of the NBA Finals between Dallas and Miami on ABC was enough to win the network primetime ratings on Thursday. ESPN which produced the game says it marks the 24th straight time the NBA Finals have won the network primetime ratings. However, it’s still below the 12.8 generated for last year’s Game 5 which pitted the Boston Celtics against the Los Angeles Lakers. We have your press release from ESPN.
NBA Finals Game 5 on ABC Wins the Night with 12.6 Overnight Rating
24th Consecutive Time Finals Generate Highest-Rated Program of the Night
The NBA Finals Game 5 on ABC – in which Dallas held off Miami’s fourth quarter rally to win 112-103 – delivered a 12.6 overnight rating. Game 5 was the highest-rated program of the night in prime time (according to Nielsen), propelling ABC to win the night among households. It is the 24th consecutive time The Finals have generated the highest-rated program of the night. The 12.6 overnight rating was the second highest-rated Game 5 in the last seven years. Based on overnight ratings, the broadcast peaked with a 16.3 rating from 11:30-11:45 p.m. ET.
Last night’s Game 5 was up 25 percent compared to a 10.1 rating for Game 5 in 2006, when these same two teams met in The Finals. In the last seven years, the game only trailed last year’s 12.8 overnight rating for Game 5 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.
In Miami, the game registered a 32.7 metered market rating, up 16 percent over Game 5 in 2006 (28.3 metered market rating). The game netted a 31.9 metered market rating in Dallas.
ABC’s NBA Countdown pregame show generated a 4.1 overnight rating, up 32 percent over a 3.1 rating for the comparable show last year.
The Finals on ABC continue with the Heat facing elimination at home against the Mavs in Game 6 Sunday, June 12, at 8 p.m. ET. Mike Breen calls The Finals on ABC with analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson and reporter Doris Burke. The Finals are also available on ESPN Radio (Mike Tirico and Hall of Famers Dr. Jack Ramsay and Hubie Brown) and ESPN 3D (Mark Jones and Bruce Bowen for Game 6). Coverage will begin with the NBA Countdown pregame show at 7:30 p.m., hosted by Stuart Scott with Hall of Famer Magic Johnson and analysts Jon Barry and Michael Wilbon.
That does it.
