via TNT press:
On the heels of the most-watched NBA regular season in Turner Broadcasting’s 26 years of airing NBA Basketball, TNT tipped off the 2009-10 season Tuesday, Oct. 27, with its most-watched doubleheader since Feb. 2, 1996, with nearly 3.7 million total viewers. The previous record was held by a doubleheader featuring the Phoenix Suns @ Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls @ L.A. Lakers.
- In addition, the Opening Night doubleheader ranks as Turner’s most-watched opening night in its 26 years of airing NBA Basketball. TNT, which has enjoyed back-to-back years of ratings increases for its regular season and NBA Playoffs, earned a 2.3 national household rating for its exclusive doubleheader of the Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers and L.A. Clippers @ L.A. Lakers.
- Through the first week of the NBA on TNT (four games), the network is averaging a 1.7 national household rating, up 13% compared to last year. In addition, the network is enjoying double-digit growth in total viewers, households and key demos:
o Total Viewers: +17% – 2,597,000 in 2009 vs. 2,216,000 in 2008.
o Households: +17% – 1,948,000 vs. 1671,000.
o A18-34: +19% – 901,000 vs. 759,000
o A18-49: +14% – 1,505,000 vs. 1,322,000
o A25-54: +16% – 1,322,000 vs. 1,138,000
o M18-34: +21% – 677,000 vs. 558,000
o M18-49: +16% – 1,088,000 vs. 936,000
o M25-54: +19% – 954,000 vs. 802,000
NBA.com tipped off the season with 78.9 million page views, 1.59 million average daily uniques, and 11 million total video streams last week (10/27-11/2), according to Omniture data. Compared to Opening Week in 2008, page views were up 11%, uniques were up 10%, and video streams were up 35%.
Nielsen Media Research, based on Live + Same Day data. NBA Regular Season Opening Night games only, 11/04/1994 through 10/27/2009. First week of the 2008-2009 compared to 2009-2010 NBA Regular Season, 4 game telecasts (10/28/2008 through 10/30/2008 vs. 10/27/09 through 10/29/09).
