TNT Scores with Most Watched NBA Playoffs in Turner’s 25-Year History of Televising the NBA

Network’s ratings success highlighted by 19% increase of 2009 NBA Playoffs and two record breaking rounds TNT earned slam dunk ratings and record-breaking viewership for its coverage of the 2009 NBA Playoffs, averaging a 3.1 US HH rating for 43 games, up 19% over last year (41 games), with 4,713,000 total viewers, a 24% increase (3,806,000). The network closed out its exclusive coverage of the 2009 NBA Eastern Conference Finals averaging a 5.4 US HH rating, a 30% increase over its 2008 Western Conference Finals coverage and an increase of 36% in total viewers (8,629,000 vs. 6,329,000) and a 29% rise in households (6,140,000 vs. 4,745,000). It also yielded a 35% increase over the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals on ESPN (4.0 US HH rating for five games) and a 43% increase in total viewers (6,039,000). The Orlando Magic captured the Eastern Conference title with a 4-2 series win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, earning a berth to the NBA Finals.

TNT’s NBA Playoffs coverage also saw significant increases in households and all key demos for its 43 games including:

• Households +19% (3,512,000 vs. 2,946,000)
• A18-34 +19% (1,455,000 vs. 1,218,000)
• A18-49 +23% (2,682,000 vs. 2,246,000)
• A25-54 +23% (2,518,000 vs. 2,055,000)
• M18-34 +13% (1,013,000 vs. 911,000)
• M18-49 +17% (1,882,000 vs. 1,615,000)
• M25-54 +21% (1,755,000 vs. 1,445,000)


“During the last two seasons, the NBA on TNT has consistently generated strong ratings for our network and in today’s media landscape, when there are more entertainment options and alternatives for an individual’s leisure time, this growth is extraordinary,” said David Levy, President of ad sales, distribution and sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. “From the regular season, through All-Star Weekend to six exciting weeks of the playoffs, the ratings increases we’ve experienced demonstrate the strength and popularity of the NBA.”

Coming off two consecutive seasons of ratings growth, TNT netted several milestones during the 2009 NBA Playoffs including:

• TNT garnered the most watched cable telecast of all-time to date (through May 28) with Game #4 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers, which delivered 10,075,000 total viewers.

• The 2009 Eastern Conference Finals on TNT won in cable prime for all six games of the Eastern Conference Finals in households, total viewers, and key adult and male demos.

• The second round was highlighted by the Game #7 showdown between the Orlando Magic @ Boston Celtics on Sunday, May 17, which set a record as the most watched second round NBA Playoff game in cable television history in households (5,907,000), viewers (8,406,000) and key adult and male demos: A18-34 (2,550,000), A18-49 (4,756,000), A25-54 (4,553,000), M18-34 (1,795,000), M18-49 (3,312,000) and M25-54 (3,147,000).

• TNT also posted the best first round ratings in cable television history, earning 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).

• TNT’s first round coverage featured a Game #7 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).

NBA.com also experienced growth during the 2009 NBA Playoffs, streaming more than 88.5 million videos, a 26% increase over last year and netting the most video streams during three rounds of the NBA Playoffs ever. NBA.com offered an unprecedented amount of video content, with cornerstone video channels such as Barkley Zone, C-Webb’s Fab Five and All-Access with Ahmad Rashad. In addition, the site offered up to the minute highlights, analysis and look aheads to future games.

“The strength of the NBA brand throughout this season has also extended to digital,” said Levy. “Turner Sports has delivered an outstanding multiplatform experience to highlight this intense and exciting postseason with unique content and video on NBA.com and our broadband channel TNT Overtime. Our continuing goal is to serve more NBA fans by providing an unrivaled user experience through these digital platforms.”

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.