TNT’s NBA Western Conference Finals Game 5 Coverage Delivers Top Program Across All of Television & Most-Watched 2018 NBA Playoff Game to Date

Live Game Telecast & TNT’s Inside the NBA Combine to

Generate Top Two Shows in Primetime on All of Cable TV

WCF Game 5 Averages 9.2 Million Viewers, Up 59% vs. 2017 ECF Game 5 on TNT

TNT’s exclusive presentation of the 2018 NBA Western Conference Finals Game 5 delivered the highest-rated program across all of television (broadcast and cable) on Thursday night, based on metered market delivery, and the most-viewed game of this year’s NBA Playoffs to date. The game telecast also combined with TNT’s iconic Inside the NBA studio show to generate the top two programs of the night across all of cable television.

Last night’s Rockets/Warriors telecast averaged 9.2 million viewers to garner the most-watched 2018 NBA Playoff game on any network to date, according to Nielsen Fast Nationals. TNT’s WCF Game 5 telecast – peaking with an average of 12.2 million viewers from 11:15-11:30 p.m. – is up 59% vs. the network’s coverage of 2017 ECF Game 5 (Cavs/Celtics). 

Overall, TNT’s WCF coverage is averaging 8.3 million viewers, up 33% over last year’s Eastern Conference Finals airing on the network (Cavaliers/Celtics) and an increase of 27% vs. the four-game 2017 WCF (Warriors/Spurs).

Additional highlights include:

TNT’s Most Watched NBA Playoffs Coverage Since 2012

Through Game 5 of the WCF, the NBA Playoffs on TNT are generating the network’s most-watched playoffs coverage since 2012. 

Inside the NBA – Top Late Night Show Across All Key Demos

TNT’s iconic Inside the NBA is averaging a 2.7 metered market rating through its first five WCF telecasts, up 23% over last year, while continuing to deliver the most watched late night show on television across all key demos.  

2018 WCF Garners Significant Growth Across All Demos

Through five games, TNT’s Warriors/Rockets telecasts have generated double-digit increases across all core demos, including an 23% increase in People 18-34 and 21% in Men 18-34 vs. the comparable 2017 ECF games on TNT.  This year’s WCF is up approximately 34% or higher across all demos vs. last year’s WCF series.

Local Houston Market Record on TNT

Last night’s telecast delivered the best ever local rating (16.5) in Houston for a Rockets game on TNT. The previous high for the network was a 16.0 – Clippers/Rockets on May 12, 2015. San Francisco ranked as the top market with a 20.8 rating for last night’s telecast.

Turner’s TVE Platform Sets Record Consumption

Watch TNT, Turner’s TV Everywhere platform for the network, has generated an all-time record for total minutes of consumption through the first five games of the series.

Turner’s NBA Social Channels Up Significantly  

Content published across NBA on TNT and NBA TV social channels has generated a 76% gain in video views and 54% increase in engagements and compared to last year’s corresponding Conference Finals.

TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2018 Western Conference Finals will continue Saturday, May 26, with Game 6 of the series at 9 p.m. The network’s coverage will begin with NBA Tip-Off presented by Autotrader at 8 p.m. with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Shaquille O’Neal.

Source:  Nielsen Media Research, based on Live + SD fast nationals for 05/24/2018, compared historically to NBA Playoff telecasts on ad supported cable networks. Online TVE Live Stream Starts, Users by Quarter Hour (rounded based on actual game time) from Omniture SiteCatalyst; Mobile TVE Live Stream Starts, Users based on 1 minute qualifier per VHL from Oniture. Connected Device Stream Starts. Users based on 1 minute qualifier per VHL from oniture. Total TV Minutes are based on Nielsen Live + SD with a 1 min qualifier. Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics & CrowdTangle.