TNT’s coverage of Game #1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls was the most-viewed game in the history of cable television with 11.1 million total viewers and a 6.2 U.S. HH rating.
The previous best was 10,829,000 total viewers for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, which was Michael Jordan‘s last All-Star Game.
The 2011 NBA Playoffs has been a ratings success for TNT, averaging a 3.1 U.S. HH Rating (+29%), 4,989,000 Total Viewers (+33%) and 3,630,000 Households (+30%).
Overall, through 36 games, TNT’s 2011 NBA Playoffs coverage also has delivered strong double-digit growth across all key demos including:
A18-34 +42% (1,644,000 vs. 1,160,000)
A18-49 +38% (2,862,000 vs. 2,067,000)
A25-54 +34% (2,566,000 vs. 1,919000)
M18-34 +40% (1,146,000 vs. 819,000)
M18-49 +40% (2,030,000 vs. 1,454,000)
M25-54 +35% (1,799,000 vs. 1,332,000)