History Repeating: Celtics-Lakers Finals A Boon For ABC, NBA
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Lakers-Celtics Finals Match Up
Should Be Ratings Boon For ABC |
With the Celtics and Lakers meeting Thursday in the NBA Finals for the first time in 21 years, the matchup "is a godsend for the league and television partner ABC after years of declining interest," according to Michael Wilbon (WASHINGTON POST, 6/1). The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Paul Gough writes Celtics-Lakers "is just what the ratings doctor ordered: A high-powered, star-filled matchup (Kobe Bryant vs. Paul Pierce) as well as a rematch of past East Coast and West Coast powerhouses" (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 6/2). In New York, Stephen Hart wrote, "After too many appearances of the bland [Spurs F] Tim Duncan and the offensively-challenged Pistons, this is the Finals matchup that I -- and trust me, commissioner David Stern and ABC -- was looking for" (STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE, 6/1). In L.A., Mike Bresnahan wrote Celtics-Lakers will be "intriguing, laden with superstars and heavy with symbolism matched only by an expected meteoric rise in TV ratings" (L.A. TIMES, 5/31).
AD RATES, RATINGS GUARANTEES UP: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL's Lombardo & Ourand report ESPN/ABC "already was enjoying a virtual sellout of ad inventory with a full week to go before the Finals were scheduled to start." ESPN was charging up to $400,000 for a 30-second spot, and the net is "so bullish about the Finals ... that it boosted its ratings guarantee to advertisers to a 9.5, up from last year's 8.5." While most advertisers have bought across the whole season, ESPN/ABC Sports Consumer Marketing & Sales President Ed Erhardt said that some inventory "will be available for last-minute advertisers." Erhardt: "We are pacing well ahead of last year's demand, and while a lot of the business is already presold, there will be late scatter" (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 6/2 issue).
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