The NBA on TNT continued to be a winning formula during the 2008-09 regular season. The network’s enormous success during the regular season included year-over-year ratings growth across the board, with double-digit growth in all key adult demos, according to data from Nielsen Media Research.  Compared to the 2007-08 regular season, TNT saw a 14% increase in total viewers (1,711,000 vs. 1,496,000), averaged a 1.1 U.S. HH rating, up 4%, and garnered a 5% increase in homes (1,296,000 vs. 1,230,000).  TNT also experienced outstanding growth across all key demos compared to the 2007-08 season, including:

• +13% A18-34  (543,000 vs. 479,000)
• +17% A18-49  (980,000 vs. 835,000)
• +16% A25-54 (881,000 vs. 760,000)
• +7%  M18-34 (403,000 vs. 377,000)
• +12% M18-49 (691,000 vs. 617,000)
• +12% M25-54 (614,000 vs. 547,000)

TNT’s “40 Games in 40 Nights” coverage of the 2009 NBA Playoffs will tip off on Sunday, April 19 with a tripleheader and the network will provide exclusive coverage of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals.

“This marks the second consecutive year of overall growth for our exclusive Thursday night coverage of the NBA,” said David Levy, president of Turner Broadcasting Sales, Inc. and Turner Sports.  “The NBA continues to be a very strong property, and we are thrilled to partner with a league that shares our commitment to deliver a quality product to fans.”

The regular season was highlighted by a number of compelling and marquee match-ups, including the Feb. 5 contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics.  This rematch of last year’s NBA Finals earned a 2.7 U.S. rating, making it the most-watched NBA game of the season on cable (4,356,000 viewers).  TNT had additional success during its exclusive coverage of NBA All-Star 2009, achieving a ratings milestone with its coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 14.  The night garnered double-digit growth in total viewers (+26%, 6,730,000) over the year prior and ranks as the most-watched telecast in the event’s 24-year history.  Additionally, the network’s coverage of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15, attracted 7,691,000 million total viewers, a 20% increase over 2008.  TNT’s NBA All-Star programming secured the network the #1 ranking in primetime for both Saturday and Sunday among ad-supported cable television. 

Source: Turner Sports

 OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

• MLB Reaches Four Major Sponsorship Deals - The Biz of Baseball
• Could Tom Hicks Be Forced to Sell the Texas Rangers? - The Biz of Baseball
• Sale of the Cubs Should Be Completed by End of May - The Biz of Baseball
• The Biz of Baseball Organizational Report - The Boston Red Sox - The Biz of Baseball
• Rays Players, Coaches, Staff Presented with ALCS Rings - The Biz of Baseball
• David Wells on Broadcasting: "If I was to imitate anyone it would be Ernie Harwell." - The Biz of Baseball
• YES Network Reaches National Distribution Agreement Through Verizon FiOS for Hi-Def - The Biz of Baseball
• Baseball Luminaries Comment on the Passing of Harry Kalas - The Biz of Baseball
• Redefining "Commitment" When It Comes to Ticket Prices - The Biz of Baseball
• Dodgers Lower Price of Beer, Soda and Other Concessions - The Biz of Baseball
• John Madden Retires From Broadcasting - The Biz of Football
• Maurice Jones-Drew Signs Extension - The Biz of Football
• Sprint To Stream NFL Draft to TV-Enabled Phones - The Biz of Football
• Round-Up: Harrison, Thomas, and Leftwich Reach Deals - The Biz of Football
• DISH Network Reaches Settlement to Carry NFL Network - The Biz of Football
• NHL GameCenter LIVE to Stream Up to 24 Stanley Cup Playoff Games in the U.S. - The Biz of Hockey
• Isle Be Damned: A Tale of Two Cities (A ‘Dickens’ of a story) - The Biz of Hockey
• NHL Offers GameCenter LIVE for $19.95 per Day - The Biz of Hockey