Nba Finals Television Ratings
This is a list of television ratings for NBA Finals in the United States, based on Nielsen viewing data.
The highest rated and most watched NBA Finals series was the 1998 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz, which averaged an 18.7 rating / 33 share and 29.04 million viewers on NBC. That series also featured the highest rated and most watched NBA Finals game, as the Sunday night averaged a 22.3 rating / 38 share and 35.89 million viewers. The 1987 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics was the highest rated and most watched NBA Finals series on CBS, averaging a 15.9 rating / 32 share and 24.12 million viewers. Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals registered the network's highest rated and most watched NBA game with a 21.2 rating / 37 share.
The 2015 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers was the highest rated NBA Finals series on ABC averaging an 11.6 rating / 21 share and 19.94 million viewers. The 2017 NBA Finals featuring the same two teams was the most watched NBA Final series on ABC averaging an 11.3 rating / 22 share and 20.38 million viewers. Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals registered the network's highest rated and most watched NBA game with an average 15.8 rating / 29 share and 31.02 million viewers. It was the first basketball game to draw more than 30 million average viewers in 18 years, and only the seventh non-NFL sports telecast (excluding the Olympics) to have done so since 1998.
The 2019 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors had a drop in American viewership. Analysts cited the presence of a Canadian team (Canadian viewership does not count towards U.S. Nielsen ratings, leading to only one U.S. home market being reflected in viewership), as a factor in the drop. At the same time, the presence of the Toronto Raptors in the NBA Finals boosted Canadian viewership to record levels.
For the 2020 NBA Finals, the ratings dropped to a historic low, with one of the games drawing only 5.9 million viewers. The average viewers figure over 6 games was 7.5 million, which is a 51% decline from the previous year. Some have claimed this was due to the players' political activism; others have claimed this was due to the finals being played out of season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic even though more audience stayed at home, as other sports such as the NHL playoffs and the MLB playoffs also showed a significant decline in ratings.
Single game superlatives (1987–present)
Highest rated
Lowest rated
| Most watched
Least watched
|
Game-by-game breakdown by year (1974–present)
Figures are expressed as Rating/Share. Rating represents the percentage of US TV households that watched the game, Share represents the percentage of TV sets in use that were tuned to the game. Note that game-by-game viewership for pre-2000 series were generally unavailable.
| Most viewers for each Game (1 through 7) or Average | |
| Fewest viewers for each Game (1 through 7) or Average |
| Year | Network | Results | Avg | Game 1 | Game 2 | Game 3 | Game 4 | Game 5 | Game 6 | Game 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | ABC | Denver Nuggets 4, Miami Heat 1 | 6.1 (11.64M Viewers) | 6.0 (11.58M Viewers) | 6.0 (11.91M Viewers) | 6.0 (11.24M Viewers) | 5.4 (10.41M Viewers) | 7.0 (13.08M Viewers) | No Game | ||
| 2022 | ABC | Golden State Warriors 4, Boston Celtics 2 | 6.6 (12.40M Viewers) | 6.4 (11.90M Viewers) | 6.2 (11.91M Viewers) | 6.2 (11.52M Viewers) | 6.2 (12.06M Viewers) | 7.0 (13.03M Viewers) | 7.5 (13.99M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2021 | ABC | Milwaukee Bucks 4, Phoenix Suns 2 | 5.2 (9.91M Viewers) | 4.5 (8.56M Viewers) | 5.1 (9.38M Viewers) | 4.7 (9.02M Viewers) | 5.3 (10.25M Viewers) | 4.8 (9.55M Viewers) | 6.6 (12.52M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2020 | ABC | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Miami Heat 2 | 4.0 (7.45M Viewers) | 4.1 (7.41M Viewers) | 3.6 (6.61M Viewers) | 3.1 (5.94M Viewers) | 4.4 (7.54M Viewers) | 4.8 (8.89M Viewers) | 4.2 (8.29M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2019 | ABC | Toronto Raptors 4, Golden State Warriors 2 | 8.8 (15.14M Viewers) | 7.9 (13.51M Viewers) | 8.0 (14.05M Viewers) | 7.8 (13.44M Viewers) | 7.6 (13.16M Viewers) | 10.6 (18.34M Viewers) | 10.7 (18.34M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2018 | ABC | Golden State Warriors 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 0 | 10.0 (17.56M Viewers) | 10.0 (17.67M Viewers) | 10.3 (18.47M Viewers) | 10.4 (17.85M Viewers) | 9.3 (16.24M Viewers) | No Game | |||
| 2017 | ABC | Golden State Warriors 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 1 | 11.3/22 (20.38M Viewers) | 10.5/20 (18.70M Viewers) | 10.7/20 (19.69M Viewers) | 11.3/21 (20.05M Viewers) | 10.7/22 (19.01M Viewers) | 13.5/25 (24.47M Viewers) | No Game | ||
| 2016 | ABC | Cleveland Cavaliers 4, Golden State Warriors 3 | 11.4/21 (20.28M Viewers) | 11.1/20 (19.20M Viewers) | 9.8/17 (17.49M Viewers) | 9.7/18 (16.47M Viewers) | 9.8/19 (16.57M Viewers) | 11.8/21 (20.53M Viewers) | 11.8/22 (20.70M Viewers) | 15.8/29 (31.02M viewers) | |
| 2015 | ABC | Golden State Warriors 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 2 | 11.6/21 (19.94M Viewers) | 10.6/20 (17.77M Viewers) | 10.8/19 (19.17M Viewers) | 11.1/20 (18.77M Viewers) | 11.7/21 (19.84M Viewers) | 11.8/21 (20.86M Viewers) | 13.4/24 (23.25M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2014 | ABC | San Antonio Spurs 4, Miami Heat 1 | 9.3/16 (15.54M Viewers) | 9.0/15 (14.85M Viewers) | 9.0/15 (15.13M Viewers) | 9.0/15 (14.78M Viewers) | 9.3/15 (14.96M Viewers) | 10.3/18 (18.00M Viewers) | No Game | ||
| 2013 | ABC | Miami Heat 4, San Antonio Spurs 3 | 10.4/17 (17.47M Viewers) | 8.8/14 (14.24M Viewers) | 8.5/15 (14.57M Viewers) | 8.5/14 (14.05M Viewers) | 10.0/16 (16.23M Viewers) | 9.5/16 (16.27M Viewers) | 12.3/21 (20.64M Viewers) | 15.3/26 (26.32M Viewers) | |
| 2012 | ABC | Miami Heat 4, Oklahoma City Thunder 1 | 10.1/17 (16.88M Viewers) | 9.9/16 (16.20M Viewers) | 10.4/17 (16.67M Viewers) | 8.8/16 (15.55M Viewers) | 10.5/18 (17.50M Viewers) | 10.9/18 (18.46M Viewers) | No Game | ||
| 2011 | ABC | Dallas Mavericks 4, Miami Heat 2 | 10.2/17 (17.39M Viewers) | 9.0/15 (15.17M Viewers) | 9.3/15 (15.52M Viewers) | 9.1/15 (15.34M Viewers) | 9.6/16 (16.13M Viewers) | 10.8/18 (18.32M Viewers) | 13.3/23 (23.88M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2010 | ABC | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Boston Celtics 3 | 10.6/18 (18.14M Viewers) | 8.6/14 (14.09M Viewers) | 9.2/15 (15.72M Viewers) | 9.6/16 (15.96M Viewers) | 9.9/18 (16.37M Viewers) | 10.8/18 (18.65M Viewers) | 10.4/18 (17.96M Viewers) | 15.6/27 (28.20M Viewers) | |
| 2009 | ABC | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Orlando Magic 1 | 8.4/15 (14.35M Viewers) | 7.8/14 (13.04M Viewers) | 8.2/14 (14.06M Viewers) | 8.6/15 (14.20M Viewers) | 9.4/17 (15.96M Viewers) | 8.0/14 (14.17M Viewers) | No Game | ||
| 2008 | ABC | Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 2 | 9.3/17 (14.94M Viewers) | 8.7/16 (13.38M Viewers) | 8.5/15 (13.50M Viewers) | 9.2/16 (14.51M Viewers) | 8.7/16 (13.76M Viewers) | 10.2/19 (16.88M Viewers) | 10.7/19 (17.39M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2007 | ABC | San Antonio Spurs 4, Cleveland Cavaliers 0 | 6.2/11 (9.29M Viewers) | 6.3/11 (9.21M Viewers) | 5.6/10 (8.55M Viewers) | 6.4/11 (9.49M Viewers) | 6.5/12 (9.91M Viewers) | No Game | |||
| 2006 | ABC | Miami Heat 4, Dallas Mavericks 2 | 8.5/15 (12.97M Viewers) | 7.8/14 (11.51M Viewers) | 8.0/14 (12.41M Viewers) | 8.0/14 (12.25M Viewers) | 7.8/14 (11.56M Viewers) | 9.1/17 (14.32M Viewers) | 10.1/18 (15.71M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2005 | ABC | San Antonio Spurs 4, Detroit Pistons 3 | 8.2/15 (12.54M Viewers) | 7.2/13 (10.57M Viewers) | 6.9/12 (10.66M Viewers) | 7.2/13 (10.63M Viewers) | 7.2/13 (10.92M Viewers) | 8.4/15 (13.09M Viewers) | 8.8/15 (13.47M Viewers) | 11.9/22 (19.00M Viewers) | |
| 2004 | ABC | Detroit Pistons 4, Los Angeles Lakers 1 | 11.5/20 (17.94M Viewers) | 9.8/17 (15.36M Viewers) | 10.7/19 (16.13M Viewers) | 10.5/19 (16.21M Viewers) | 12.7/22 (20.30M Viewers) | 13.8/23 (21.84M Viewers) | No Game | ||
| 2003 | ABC | San Antonio Spurs 4, New Jersey Nets 2 | 6.5/12 (9.86M Viewers) | 6.4/11 (9.60M Viewers) | 5.2/10 (8.06M Viewers) | 7.0/12 (10.76M Viewers) | 6.6/12 (9.66M Viewers) | 6.2/12 (9.31M Viewers) | 7.5/14 (11.57M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 2002 | NBC | Los Angeles Lakers 4, New Jersey Nets 0 | 10.2/19 (15.68M Viewers) | 10.6/20 (15.85M Viewers) | 9.1/18 (14.05M Viewers) | 10.2/18 (16.21M Viewers) | 10.8/19 (16.56M Viewers) | No Game | |||
| 2001 | NBC | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 1 | 12.1/23 (19.00M Viewers) | 12.4/23 (18.58M Viewers) | 11.6/22 (18.72M Viewers) | 12.7/23 (20.28M Viewers) | 12.6/23 (19.97M Viewers) | 11.2/22 (17.36M Viewers) | No Game | ||
| 2000 | NBC | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Indiana Pacers 2 | 11.6/21 (17.40M Viewers) | 10.5/18 (10.56M Households) | 9.9/20 (10.02M Households) | 10.7/19 (10.84M Households) | 13.1/24 (13.17M Households) | 10.0/20 (10.04M Households) | 14.7/26 (14.85M Households) | No Game | |
| 1999 | NBC | San Antonio Spurs 4, New York Knicks 1 | 11.3/21 (16.01M Viewers) | 11.5/20 (16.57M Viewers) | 9.6/19 (13.98M Viewers) | 12.1/21 (17.01M Viewers) | 12.0/22 (16.76M Viewers) | 11.0/22 (15.53M Viewers) | No Game | ||
| 1998 | NBC | Chicago Bulls 4, Utah Jazz 2 | 18.7/33 (29.04M Viewers) | 18.0/32 (26.70M Viewers) | 16.6/31 (26.30M Viewers) | 16.2/28 (15.8M Households) | 19.1/33 (18.7M Households) | 19.8/37 (30.60M Viewers) | 22.3/38 (35.89M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 1997 | NBC | Chicago Bulls 4, Utah Jazz 2 | 16.8/30 (25.59M Viewers) | 15.8/27 (15.3M Households) | 15.1/27 (14.6M Households) | 14.2/27 (13.7M Households) | 16.9/30 (16.4M Households) | 20.1/35 (19.5M Households) | 18.5/35 (17.9M Households) | No Game | |
| 1996 | NBC | Chicago Bulls 4, Seattle SuperSonics 2 | 16.7/31 (24.86M Viewers) | 16.8/31 (16.1M Households) | 13.9/27 (13.3M Households) | 15.8/28 (15.2M Households) | 18.1/33 (17.4M Households) | 17.2/33 (16.5M Households) | 18.8/35 (18.0M Households) | No Game | |
| 1995 | NBC | Houston Rockets 4, Orlando Magic 0 | 13.9/25 (20.10M Viewers) | 14.7/26 (14.0M Households) | 12.0/23 (11.4M Households) | 14.1/25 (13.4M Households) | 14.9/26 (14.2M Households) | No Game | |||
| 1994 | NBC | Houston Rockets 4, New York Knicks 3 | 12.3/23 (17.25M Viewers) | 12.6/23 (11.9M Households) | 10.7/21 (10.1M Households) | 12.4/24 (11.7M Households) | 12.9/23 (12.1M Households) | 7.8/14 (coverage affected by Bronco Chase) | 11.3/24 (10.6M Households) | 17.9/31 (16.9M Households) | |
| 1993 | NBC | Chicago Bulls 4, Phoenix Suns 2 | 17.9/33 (27.21M Viewers) | 16.8/29 (15.6M Households) | 14.6/29 (13.6M Households) | 17.0/32 (15.8M Households) | 19.8/35 (18.4M Households) | 19.0/36 (17.7M Households) | 20.3/39 (32.10M Viewers) | No Game | |
| 1992 | NBC | Chicago Bulls 4, Portland Trail Blazers 2 | 14.2/27 (20.84M Viewers) | 13.5/25 (12.4M Households) | 13.7/26 (12.6M Households) | 13.6/26 (12.5M Households) | 16.0/29 (14.7M Households) | 13.9/28 (12.8M Households) | 14.7/29 (13.5M Households) | No Game | |
| 1991 | NBC | Chicago Bulls 4, Los Angeles Lakers 1 | 15.8/34 (23.91M Viewers) | 12.6 | 16.1/29 (15.0M Households) | 15.7/31 (14.6M Households) | 15.2/30 (14.2M Households) | 19.7/36 (18.3M Households) | No Game | ||
| 1990 | CBS | Detroit Pistons 4, Portland Trail Blazers 1 | 12.3/25 (17.19M Viewers) | 11.8 | 12.2 | 10.8 | 13.4 | 13.2 | No Game | ||
| 1989 | CBS | Detroit Pistons 4, Los Angeles Lakers 0 | 15.1/30 (21.26M Viewers) | 14.0 | 15.6 | 13.2 | 17.4 | No Game | |||
| 1988 | CBS | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Detroit Pistons 3 | 15.4/31 (21.70M Viewers) | 13.9 | 14.8 | 12.0 | 14.8 | 16.1 | 14.4 | 21.2/37 | |
| 1987 | CBS | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Boston Celtics 2 | 15.9/32 (24.12M Viewers) | 13.8 | 14.6 | 11.9 | 18.9 | 18.9 | 17.3 | No Game | |
| 1986 | CBS | Boston Celtics 4, Houston Rockets 2 | 14.1/31 (14.43M Households) | 9.9 | 14.8 | 13.4 | 15.4 | 16.9 | 14.2 | No Game | |
| 1985 | CBS | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Boston Celtics 2 | 13.5/30 | --- | 14.3 | --- | 17.0 | 15.3 | 15.3 | No Game | |
| 1984 | CBS | Boston Celtics 4, Los Angeles Lakers 3 | 12.1/26 | --- | 12.3 | --- | 13.1 | 12.1 | --- | 19.3 | |
| 1983 | CBS | Philadelphia 76ers 4, Los Angeles Lakers 0 | 12.3/26 | --- | 12.9/23 | --- | --- | No Game | |||
| 1982 | CBS | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 2 | 13.0/28 | ||||||||
| 1981 | CBS | Boston Celtics 4, Houston Rockets 2 | 6.7/27 | ||||||||
| 1980 | CBS | Los Angeles Lakers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 2 | 8.0/29 | ||||||||
| 1979 | CBS | Seattle SuperSonics 4, Washington Bullets 1 | 7.2/24 | ||||||||
| 1978 | CBS | Washington Bullets 4, Seattle SuperSonics 3 | 9.9/25 | ||||||||
| 1977 | CBS | Portland Trail Blazers 4, Philadelphia 76ers 2 | 12.7/33 | ||||||||
| 1976 | CBS | Boston Celtics 4, Phoenix Suns 2 | 11.5/29 | ||||||||
| 1975 | CBS | Golden State Warriors 4, Washington Bullets 0 | 10.1/28 (11.38M Viewers) | ||||||||
| 1974 | CBS | Boston Celtics 4, Milwaukee Bucks 3 | 13.5/32 | ||||||||
See also
Notes
References
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