via press release:
ABC delivered its highest-rated and most-viewed NBA regular season ever, averaging a 3.3 household rating and 5,421,000 viewers for its 15 broadcasts during the 2011-2012 campaign, according to Nielsen.
The 3.3 rating is up 10 percent from last season (3.0) and 5,421,000 viewers is up six percent from last season (5,110,000). The NBA on ABC is also up nine percent in household impressions, averaging 3,831,000 compared to 3,519,000 last season.
ESPN will televise its final two NBA games of the regular season on Wednesday, April 25, with a doubleheader beginning at 8 p.m. ET when the New York Knicks host the Los Angeles Clippers. In the nightcap, the Phoenix Suns will host the San Antonio Spurs at 10:30 p.m.
The 2012 NBA Playoffs begin on ESPN and ABC on Saturday, April 28, and culminate with The Finals on ABC in June.
Having a shorter season helps.
Good for the NBA. The playoffs should be exciting also.
300+ million population and only 5+ million watching? NBA better get the wheels back on the wagon.
Lots of parity around the league makes things much more interesting. Any one of the top teams can emerge from the pack and win in the playoffs. Go Boston!
THAT’S the most viewed regular season ever??? I thought the NBA used to be popular and had declined in recent years… apparently not.
“THAT’S the most viewed regular season ever??? I thought the NBA used to be popular and had declined in recent years… apparently not.”
This is an ABC press release. It was ABC’s highest rated season ever. I’m not sure who was broadcasting regular season NBA games during (for example) the peak Jordan years.
Bill, that was NBC in the Jordan years.