 NEW YORK -- The NBA Finals Game 1 on ABC – in which
Miami defeated Dallas 92-84 – generated a 10.7 overnight rating, the highest
for a Game 1 of The Finals since 2004 (Detroit Pistons at Los Angeles Lakers,
11.5 overnight rating), according to Nielsen. The 10.7 overnight rating is up 15 percent
compared to Game 1 of the 2006 NBA Finals (9.3 overnight rating), when
these same two teams played. Additionally, last night’s overnight
rating is up three percent compared to a 10.4 overnight rating for last
year’s Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. In Miami, the top-rated metered market, the
game delivered a 31.9 rating, an increase of 28 percent compared to a 24.9
rating locally for Game 1 in 2006. Dallas, ranked second among the metered
markets, netted a 29.9 rating, the highest-rated game locally since the
2006 Finals. The Finals on ABC continue with Thursday at 9 p.m. ET. Mike Breen calls The Finals on ABC
with analysts Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy and reporter Doris Burke.
The Finals are also available on ESPN Radio (Mike Tirico and Hall of Famers
Dr. Jack Ramsay and Hubie Brown) and ESPN 3D (Mark Jones and Bruce Bowen
for Game 2). Coverage will begin with the Buick Regal NBA Countdown
pregame show at 8:30 p.m., hosted by Stuart Scott with Hall of Famer Magic
Johnson and analysts Jon Barry and Michael Wilbon. |
