TNT Sees Drop In Viewers For Second Round Of NBA Playoffs

Spurs-Suns Game Five On TNT Draws Almost Five Million Viewers

TNT’s coverage of the second round of the NBA Playoffs averaged 3,632,000 viewers and 2,765,000 HHs, down 14.8% and 16.2%, respectively, from last year’s second-round coverage. Spurs-Suns Game Five on May 16 drew 4,967,000 viewers, ranking as the week’s top ad-supported cable program. TNT for the third straight week ranked as ad-supported cable’s top network in adults 18-34 (671,000); adults 18-49 (1,358,000); and adults 25-54 (1,268,000) (THE DAILY). TNT ranked second in total viewers for the week behind USA Network, while ESPN ranked third, “a position it held among the three demos as well” (MEDIAWEEK.com, 5/22). Spurs-Suns Game Five ranked No. 2 overall among cable programs last week, trailing only HBO’s “The Sopranos.” Suns-Spurs Game Six on ESPN ranked No. 4, Jazz-Warriors Game Five on TNT ranked No. 6 and Suns-Spurs Game Four on TNT ranked No. 7 (USA TODAY, 5/23).

GAINING SPEED: Speed earned a 3.53/ (2,480,000 HHs) for its inaugural coverage of the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge on Saturday night, up 7% from a 3.3 for last year’s race on FX. The race coverage earned Speed’s highest rating in network history (Speed). The race was the eighth-most-viewed cable program for the week (USA TODAY, 5/23).

SEASON WINNERS: Fox for the third straight TV season will win in adults 18-49, while CBS will win in total viewers for the fifth straight season. Fox’ two editions of “American Idol” ranked No. 1 and No. 2 for ’06-07, while CBS’ averages “got a boost” from the Super Bowl telecast. ABC “held up well in its first season” without “MNF” and would beat CBS as the No. 2 net in 18-49 “if sports are tossed out of the mix.” NBC “remained in the basement for the third straight season, even after bringing ‘Sunday Night Football’ into the fold.” In adults 18-49, Fox led with a 4.0/11 (flat with last year), followed by CBS’ 3.7/10 (down 3%), ABC’s 3.5/9 (down 13% from last year when it aired the Super Bowl and BCS Championship) and NBC’s 3.1/8 (down 6%) (DAILY VARIETY, 5/23).