NBA Audience On TNT, ABC, NBA TV Seeing Decline From Recent Seasons

NBA game audiences are down on TNT, ABC and NBA TV through the first half of the season compared to the same point during both the lockout-shortened season in '11-12 and the normal schedule of '10-11. TNT is averaging a 1.4 U.S. rating and 2.1 million viewers, down 22% and 26%, respectively, from last season, and down from a 1.6 rating and 2.4 million viewers in '10-11. TNT last year was the beneficiary of a Christmas Day game to start the shortened season, and it did not have a game on the holiday this season. Additionally, the start to the '12-13 season came as several Northeast markets were without Nielsen ratings due to the effects from Hurricane Sandy. ESPN's games are averaging a 1.2 rating and 1.8 million viewers, flat compared to last season, but down slightly from '10-11. ABC's NBA games are also down 9.5% in ratings to date compared to '11-12, while also seeing a slight drop compared to two seasons ago. NBA TV's viewership is down 9% from last season, but still up from '10-11. However, the net's "Fan Night" on Tuesdays is on pace for a record-setting audience.