ESPN Sets Ratings, Viewership Records For '09 NBA Playoffs
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ESPN Averages 6.2 Cable Rating And 8.712
Million Viewers For Lakers-Nuggets Series |
ESPN averaged a 6.2 cable rating and 8.712 million viewers for five telecasts of the Lakers-Nuggets Western Conference Finals, marking the net's highest-rated and most-viewed Conference Finals ever, surpassing a 4.8 rating for Pistons-Heat in '06 and 6.033 million viewers for Celtics-Pistons in '08. The net posted a 3.7 cable rating and 4.893 million viewers for 19 total broadcasts during the '09 NBA Playoffs, its highest-rated and most-viewed NBA postseason ever. ESPN set ratings and viewership records for the second consecutive year, besting a 3.3 average rating and 4.1 million viewers for 21 games during the '08 NBA Playoffs (ESPN). DAILY VARIETY's Stuart Levine reports TNT for 43 total NBA Playoffs telecasts this season posted a 23% ratings increase over 41 games last year in the adults 18-49 demo. The net drew an average of 8.6 million viewers for the Magic-Cavaliers Eastern Conference Finals, and Turner President of Sales, Distribution & Sports David Levy said, "You would've thought that Cleveland and Orlando wouldn't be a big draw, but the players from both teams drew national exposure, even from the smaller markets." Levine notes TNT "cashed in, especially because 40% of the commercial time was scatter, with the other 60% bought at the upfront before the playoffs began." As the NBA Playoffs "became more popular," prices for ad time "were increased to correlate with the increased popularity of the hoops action." Meanwhile, ratings for the Magic-Lakers NBA Finals on ABC are "expected to remain as strong as they've been" for ESPN and TNT. The Finals "should again be a top draw" this year, with Magic C Dwight Howard "stepping up as a national figure both on the court and in national commercials" (DAILY VARIETY, 6/2). USA TODAY's Michael Hiestand writes, "Don't assume a Finals ratings flop without LeBron James" (USA TODAY, 6/2). But MEDIA LIFE MAGAZINE's Toni Fitzgerald writes James "likely drove much of the tune-in" for Magic-Cavs, and a matchup against Lakers G Kobe Bryant "would have represented a huge marketing opportunity for the NBA" (MEDIALIFEMAGAZINE.com, 6/2).
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Van Gundy Will Announce Finals Even
Though His Brother Coaches Magic |
ALL IN THE FAMILY: In N.Y., Bob Raissman notes NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy was saluted for his "latest martyr impersonation" when he asked his bosses at ESPN if he should not announce the Finals, in which his brother Stan will coach the Magic. One NBA source, laughing, said, "You've got to hand it to Jeff. It's easy asking that kind of question when you know, in advance, what the answer is going to be. Did he actually think anyone (at ESPN/ABC) would pass on having him work a Finals his brother is coaching in?" Raissman writes having Van Gundy call the NBA Finals with his brother coaching is "as good as it gets for the suits signing his paycheck and their NBA partners." The "only potential loser here is Jeff Van Gundy," as it "doesn't matter what Van Gundy says, it will get twisted." But if he "really cares about viewers, Van Gundy won't hesitate to use personal anecdotes to explain the why's of what his brother is doing" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 6/2).
HIGHS AND LOWS: SI.com's Richard Deitsch ranked the Van Gundys in the top spot for his May media rankings, noting Jeff, with a "self-deprecating manner and a high basketball IQ," has emerged as "one of the top basketball analysts." Meanwhile, ESPN/ABC play-by-play announcer Mike Breen is "one of those rare broadcasters comfortable letting his analyst shine." And while analyst Mark Jackson "remains too often hyperbolic," Deitsch wrote, "He has grown on me." And reporter Doris Burke is ESPN's "best sideline reporter." Deitsch: "This group has been praised during the playoffs and deservedly so." However, TNT's Charles Barkley "needs to be smarter" than calling fellow TNT analyst Kenny Smith "numb nuts" and muttering the "p-word under his breath at a longtime foil, producer Tim Kiely" following Magic-Cavs Game Six. It is "poor form and there are young viewers in TNT's audience." A TNT spokesperson said, "While Charles often makes jokes about his producer during our telecasts, he used poor judgment on Saturday during our NBA coverage. His comment was inappropriate and TNT apologizes to our viewers. We have spoken with Charles privately about it and will not have any further comment" (SI.com, 6/1).
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