Once again, the NBA finds itself in a notable post-season hot streak as far as television ratines are concerned.
TNT announced first-round playoff ratings Monday, revealing that average viewership spiked 32 percent to around 4.2 million viewers. (Overall, TNT broadcast 23 of the 43 first-round playoff games, with ESPN, ABC and NBA TV presenting the others.)
It's the fourth consecutive year of playoff ratings growth for the NBA, which saw its TV numbers bottom out in 2006-07 — a season that culminated in the mid-market San Antonio Spurs beating the Rust Belt-native Cleveland Cavaliers for the league championship.
Since then, big-market draws — and traditional league powerhouses — like the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics have been dominant, new powers like the star-laden Miami Heat have emerged, and the ratings have been on fire.
Across key demos, TNT's first-round ratings were up 36 percent among males 18-34, 38 percent among males 18-49 and 34 percent among males 25-54.
Second-round playoff coverage kicked off Sunday on ABC.
