2021 NBA Finals Game 1 ratings down from 2020

[1987_Lakers]

https://tvline.com/2021/07/07/tv-rat...-1-suns-bucks/

"In the latest TV ratings, ABC’s coverage of the NBA Finals opener averaged 6.4 million total viewers and a 2.1 rating, down 13 and 18 percent from the preliminary numbers for last year’s Game 1 (which was pandemic-delayed until August) yet still easily topping Tuesday in the demo.

...

NBC’s America’s Got Talent (6.9 mil/0.8, read recap) slipped two tenths in the demo yet managed to deliver Tuesday’s largest audience."

Thoughts?

[Airupthere]

I see a smirk. We know where this leads to.

[Shogon]

Thoughts? Two boring markets. No LeBron James. No LA. No Miami. People were locked up last year AND tv numbers just continue to dwindle across the board and have been for years, do they not?

A lot of nuance here. But also not that complicated or much to think about.

[SouBeachTalents]

Damn, well there goes that agenda

[8Ball]

Nobody cares unless the GOAT is playing.


Why is this news?

[lakerstekkenn]

Did they count DVR recordings ? because with the pandemic going away either people are getting out going to sports bars friends homes gatherings to drink hang out and smoke weed, others will DVR it, so maybe the ratings aren't down because everyone is still watching but in different ways ?

[hold this L]

Nobody cares unless the GOAT is playing.


Why is this news?

Ratings from last year's bubble were garbage to the previous seasons.

[8Ball]

Ratings from last year's bubble were garbage to the previous seasons.

Because zero fans in arenas.

This finals have arenas full of fans and its down.

[baudkarma]

Nobody cares unless the GOAT is playing.


Why is this news?

You make an excellent point. Four of the five most-watched games in NBA history featured Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Game 6 of the 1998 finals had a 22.3 rating and almost 36 million viewers. Jordan and the Bulls also played in six of the ten most watched playoff series in NBA history.

[Gohan]

Theres just a handful of lebron fans, they just use their alts to watch games

[8Ball]

You make an excellent point. Four of the five most-watched games in NBA history featured Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Game 6 of the 1998 finals had a 22.3 rating and almost 36 million viewers. Jordan and the Bulls also played in six of the ten most watched playoff series in NBA history.

TV was the only way to watch basketball games back then 20 years ago.


Ain't the same anymore. All those ratings in the 90s yet more money now than ever before.

[ArbitraryWater]

Ratings from last year's bubble were garbage to the previous seasons.

Across sports though. covid season, no fans.

[Mr. Woke]

I definitely don't care about the Finals this year.

Both the Suns and the Bucks got more lucky breaks than any other playoff team.

[kawhileonard2]

You make an excellent point. Four of the five most-watched games in NBA history featured Michael Jordan and the Bulls. Game 6 of the 1998 finals had a 22.3 rating and almost 36 million viewers. Jordan and the Bulls also played in six of the ten most watched playoff series in NBA history.

This!

[hold this L]

Because zero fans in arenas.

This finals have arenas full of fans and its down.

No excuses, ratings last season were awful.