NBA Playoffs Ratings Up Double Digits On TNT; Down On ESPN, ABC

Rockets-Lakers Game Two Is Second- Most Viewed Cable Telecast Last Week

TNT's 31 NBA Playoffs telecasts through Sunday have averaged a 2.9 cable rating and 3.615 million viewers, up 11.5% and 14.5%, respectively, from a 2.6 rating and 3.157 million viewers through the same period a year ago (30 games). The net had five of the 10 most-viewed cable telecasts for the week ending May 10 --Rockets-Lakers Western Conference Semifinals Game Two on May 6 drew 6.3 million viewers, making it the second most-viewed cable telecast for the week. ESPN is averaging a 2.4 cable rating and 3.004 million viewers through 12 playoff games, down 7.7% and 4.3%, respectively, from a 2.6 rating and 3.139 million viewers for 13 games last year. ABC is also tracking down through this past Saturday night, as the net's seven broadcasts are averaging a 3.0 rating and 4.519 million viewers, down 9.1% and 5.8%, respectively, from a 3.3 rating and 4.799 million viewers last year (THE DAILY).

WILD WEST: Monday's Nuggets-Mavericks Western Conference Semifinal Game Four on TNT earned a 9.3 local rating (231,570 HHs) in the Dallas-Ft. Worth DMA and a 15.4 local rating (234,727 HHs) in Denver. Through four games, the series is averaging a 10.0 rating (249,000 HHs) in Dallas-Ft. Worth and an 11.9 rating (181,380 HHs) in Denver (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/13).