TNT’s coverage of the 2011 NBA Playoffs was the most-watched in cable television history, capped off by a 6.3 U.S HH rating and 10.4 million total viewers for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat.
The network set records for ratings and viewership, averaging a 3.5 U.S. HH Rating (+25 percent), 5,534,000 total viewers (+29 percent), and 3,999,000 households (+26 percent) during their 40-game coverage.
In addition, the Heat-Bulls series was the most-watched Conference Finals in cable television history, averaging a 6.2 U.S. HH rating, (+29% year-over-year), 10,413,000 Total Viewers (+33%) and 7,190,000 Households (+30%).
“This was one of the most thrilling seasons in NBA history, leading to record-breaking ratings and enormous success for TNT,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “From the tip-off of our 52-game regular season to All-Star Weekend to TNT’s coverage of 40 Playoff games, this NBA season was about setting new records and creating winning nights of television. Through a multiplatform strategy, we also achieved more than great ratings. We used all of our television, broadband and mobile assets to connect everywhere our audiences watch the NBA, building the largest possible viewership across all platforms.”
TNT also saw double-digit year-over-year growth across all key demos including:
* A18-34 +37% (1,803,000 vs. 1,312,000)
* A18-49 +33% (3,165,000 vs. 2,371,000)
* A25-54 +29% (2,868,000 vs. 2,224,000)
* M18-34 +36% (1,245,000 vs. 916,000)
* M18-49 +35% (2,222,000 vs. 1,648,000)
* M25-54 +30% (1,995,000 vs. 1,530,000)
Source: Nielsen Media Research. Live +Same Day data. 4/17/11-5/26/11 vs 4/18/10-5/29/10.