TNT Registers Its Most-Watched and Highest-Rated NBA Regular Season

For the 5th straight year, the NBA on TNT registered a viewership increase. And even with the lockout which angered fans, they came back to watch the NBA in droves.

According to TNT, its Thursday Night doubleheaders registered an average 1.7 household rating. That’s up from last year’s 1.6 average. And the average viewership saw 1.9 million viewers which again is up from the previous year.

TNT also had two of the most-watched NBA games on cable this season as well as the Top 6 viewed games on cable in the completed 2011-12 regular campaign.

And in key demographics, TNT scored as well. So all around, the NBA is quite healthy on cable television.

TNT Nets Highest-Rated and Most-Viewed NBA Regular Season

Network Garners Fifth Consecutive Season of Viewership Growth

The 2011-12 NBA regular season on TNT is the highest-rated and most-viewed in the network’s 28-year history with the league. The NBA on TNT averaged a 1.7 U.S. HH rating, up six percent vs. last year’s 1.6 rating; 1,907,000 household impressions, also an increase of six percent over an average of 1,797,000 last season; and 2,498,000 viewers, up four percent over an average of 2,397,000 last year. TNT generated its fifth straight year of growth among viewers and households.

TNT also televised the top six NBA regular-season games on cable this season and two of the top five most-watched NBA regular-season games in cable television history. TNT’s top five NBA regular-season telecasts:

  • Boston at New York, Dec. 25 – 3.4 U.S. HH rating; 5,860,000 viewers
  • New York at Miami, Feb. 23 – 3.2 U.S. HH rating; 5,092,000 viewers
  • Boston at Miami, Dec. 27 – 2.9 U.S. HH rating; 4,548,000 viewers
  • L.A. Lakers at Miami, Jan. 19 – 2.7 U.S. HH rating; 4,396,000 viewers
  • Miami at Chicago, April 12 – 2.4 U.S. HH rating; 3,671,000 viewers

Additionally, the NBA on TNT generated double-digit increases among the core Men 18-34 (up 16 percent; 632,000 vs. 545,000) and Adult 18-34 demos (up 13 percent; 873,000 vs. 771,000).

TNT’s NBA Playoff coverage begins Saturday, April 28, with the Chicago Bulls hosting the Philadelphia 76ers at 1 p.m. ET. TNT, the home of the Western Conference Finals this season, will televise more than 40 NBA Playoff games.

That’s all.

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013. He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television. Fang celebrates the three Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

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