ABC Posts Network-Best NBA Finals Ratings

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

ABC’s coverage of the Golden State Warriors-Cleveland Cavaliers 2015 NBA Finals was the highest-rated ever for the network.

The series, in which the Warriors defeated LeBron James and the undermanned Cavaliers 4 games to 2, averaged a 13.9 overnight rating, up 31% from the 10.6 generated by last year’s Miami Heat-San Antonio Spurs matchup.

Last night’s game six telecast drew a 15.9 overnight rating, making it the highest-rated Game 6 ever on ABC, which has been telecasting the NBA Finals since the 2002-03 season, according to network officials.

Last night’s game also drew 939,000 unique viewers to Watch ESPN, the most ever for an NBA game on the platform. In addition, Game 6 drew an average minute audience of 292,000 viewers, which also ranks as the most-watched NBA game ever on the platform.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.