TNT Nets Best NBA Playoff First Round Ever in 25-Year History

TNT’s coverage of the 2009 NBA Playoffs is off to a strong start, netting the best first round ratings in cable television history. Compared to last year’s record breaking first round coverage, the network earned an 11% increase in households (2,597,000 vs. 2,339,000) and 14% increase in total viewers (3,379,000 vs. 2,956,000). Overall, TNT delivered a 2.3 US rating for 24 games, up 10% over last year (22 games). In addition, TNT’s coverage of the Game #7 showdown between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics on Saturday, May 2 was the most watched Round One game in cable television history in households (5,017,000) and total viewers (6,987,000), supplanting the network’s previous record for Game #6 of the series. TNT earned a 4.4 US HH rating for the game in which the Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls 109-99 to advance to the Conference Semi-Finals against the Orlando Magic.

Additional highlights of TNT’s Round One NBA Playoffs coverage include:

• Through Saturday, May 2, Game #7 of the Chicago Bulls @ Boston Celtics was the most watched Round One game on broadcast or cable since the 2004 L.A. Lakers @ Houston Rockets Game #4 on ABC.
• Game #7 of the Chicago Bulls @ Boston Celtics was the #1 cable program to date in 2009 for adults 25-54 and men 25-54.

TNT continues its Round Two coverage of the NBA Playoffs with an exclusive doubleheader tonight, May 5 at 8 p.m. ET with Game #1 of the Atlanta Hawks @ Cleveland Cavaliers followed by Game #2 of the Dallas Mavericks @ Denver Nuggets. Tomorrow, May 6, the network will air exclusive coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET with Game #2 of the Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics followed by Game #2 of the Houston Rockets @ L.A. Lakers.

TNT, which will air ’40 Games in 40 Nights,’ is the excusive home of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ line-up includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATour.com and PGA.com. Turner Sports and the NBA also jointly manage NBA Digital, which includes NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com.