You Watched Game 7 of the 2010 NBA FInals In Record Numbers

Whenever there’s a Game 7 in any playoff series, you’re going to get heightened interest. But when it’s for a finals, whether it be in baseball, hockey or basketball, you hook casual viewers and you certainly watched Thursday’s Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. A total of 28.2 million viewers watched Game 7 and that’s the most viewed since Game 6 back in 1998. Here’s the press release.

2010 NBA Finals Most-Viewed Ever on ABC

Game 7: Most-Viewed NBA Game Since 1998

ABC’s exclusive coverage of The Finals (Games 1-7) averaged 18,144,000 viewers to become the most-viewed ever on the network.  Additionally, Game 7 generated a 15.6 rating and 28,203,000 viewers to become the highest-rated and most-viewed NBA game since The Finals in 1998 (Bulls/Jazz, Game 6). The Finals led ABC to win the night in prime time for all seven nights of the series. 

This year’s Finals were up 26 percent in rating (10.6 vs. 8.4) and viewers (18,144,000 vs. 14,347,000) versus last year.  The seven-game series was up 45 percent in viewership (vs. 12,543,000 viewers) and 29 percent in rating (8.2) compared to the last seven-game Finals (Spurs/Pistons, 2005).

Last night’s Game 7 is the most-viewed NBA game ever on ABC and the second highest-rated broadcast on television since March (trailing only the Academy Awards).  In total viewers, Game 7 propelled ABC to post its top summer Thursday in more than 18 years.

In Los Angeles, Game 7 delivered a 39.7 local rating, its highest-rated broadcast to date in 2010.

Digital Media Growth

Visits to ESPN.com’s NBA section were up 24 percent during the 2010 Finals. ESPN.com’s online video starts during The Finals were up 19 percent from last year. On mobile devices, visits to the ESPN.com NBA section were up 64 percent over 2009.

Certainly excellent numbers for ESPN/ABC and the NBA. And you know when the Celtics and Lakers play in the finals, you’re going to get the ratings.