2009 NBA Playoffs Are Highest Rated, Most Watched Ever for ESPN

Coming off the heels of TNT's record numbers for the 2009 NBA playoffs, ESPN’s coverage of the 2009 NBA Playoffs averaged a 3.7 rating, representing 3,594,000 households and 4,893,000 viewers (P2+), the network’s highest-rated and most-viewed NBA postseason ever.  ESPN set the new record for the second consecutive season, besting last year’s 3.3 rating, 3,149,000 households and 4,100,000 viewers. Additionally, ESPN’s exclusive coverage of the 2009 Western Conference Finals averaged a 6.2 rating, 6,057,000 households and 8,712,000 viewers, the network’s highest-rated and most-viewed Conference Finals ever.  This year’s Conference Finals surpassed a 4.8 rating for the 2006 Eastern Conference Finals (Detroit/Miami) and previous highs for households and viewers (2008 Eastern Conference Finals, Boston/Detroit – 4,552,000 households and 6,033,000 viewers). ESPN’s exclusive coverage of the 2009 Conference Semifinals was...