The 2015 NBA Finals, after three game, is the highest-rated ever on ABC, according to the Nielsen numbers released Wednesday.
All three of this year’s NBA Finals broadcasts on ABC have set ratings records on the network.
Forward LeBron James scored 40 points and guard Matthew Dellavedova added 20 to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Golden State Warriors 96-91 on Tuesday night to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Game 3 delivered a 13.7 overnight rating, making it ABC’s highest-rated Game 3 ever and up 33 percent from a 10.3 from last year for the Miami Heat-San Antonio Spurs matchup.
The broadcast peaked with a 16.4 from 11:30-11:45 p.m. ET.
In the Cleveland market, Game 3 delivered a 49.0 rating, making it the highest-rated NBA game ever on ABC or ESPN in the market, surpassing the records it set for both Games 1 and 2.
In the San Francisco market, Game 3 generated a 31.6, which trails only Game 2 as the highest-rated NBA game ever on ABC or ESPN in the market. (Game 2 did a 31.7).
For the 45th consecutive time, the NBA Finals is expected to win the night across all of television (broadcast and cable).
NBA Finals Game 3 set more records on WatchESPN. Tuesday’s game generated 736,200 unique viewers and an average minute audience of 207,300, both records for an NBA game on the platform and up 113 percent and 118 percent, respectively, from last year’s Game 3.
“NBA Countdown,” ABC’s pre-game show, posted a 4.7 overnight rating, which is up 30 percent from a 3.6 for last year’s corresponding pre-game show.
ABC has been the broadcast home of the NBA Finals since the 2002-03 season.
The NBA Finals will continue with Game 4 on Thursday night.