With the Boston Celtics defeat of the Detroit Pistons to advance to the final for the first time in 21 years, the NBA has its dream ratings Finals match up too, just like the NHL.
But post-Michael Jordan NBA Finals ratings have been on a dive. Can this year’s Boston Celtics / LA Lakers series reverse that trend, and what will this year’s Finals average viewership be?
In my earlier post with the historical NBA playoffs ratings data, I guessed that the dream Lakers/Celtics series would produce an average viewership of 13 million. Some commenters disagreed. (sadly, the change in our comments system since then lost those old comments).
Earlier rounds of the NBA playoffs this year produced ratings increases, so with the benefit of that hindsight, I’ll up my guess for the Finals to 15 million average viewers. What do you think the average viewership for this years NBA Finals will be?
i know it was 1998 but michael jordan had some kind of power. i think youll see an average around 20 million, probably a little lower.
the nba did a good job of avoiding the scheduling of games on friday and saturday. and i have to root for the dreaded lakers because under no circumstances can i hope boston wins.
I'll take the under on 15 million for a lunch, Bill, though I could see a game or two.
20 million? I'd bet way more than lunch it's less than that. if even a single game does better than 17mm, I'll be surprised.
You're on!
I'm guessing 13 million, unless the series goes 7. In that case, it will be 15 million.
If this does go 7 games, i wouldn't be surprised to see a 22million or more viewship for that game. I'd go over on 15million average if it goes6-7, under or right at 15 if it goes 5 gms…