ESPN’s telecast of “The Decision,” when NBA superstar LeBron James announced his decision to join the Miami Heat, generated a 7.3 overnight rating from 9-10:15 p.m. ET. The 7.3 is the highest overnight rating for any non-NFL ESPN program this calendar year. Additionally, based on overnights, last night’s ESPN telecast was the highest-rated program of the night (cable or broadcast).
The telecast peaked with a 9.6 rating from 9:15-9:30 p.m., when James officially made the announcement. The top three local markets were Cleveland (26.0 metered market rating); Columbus (14.2) and Miami (12.8). Chicago ranked sixth with a 10.7 rating and New York ranked seventh with a 10.4 rating.
Last night’s telecast exceeded the audience for ESPN’s exclusive interview with Tiger Woods on Sunday, March 21, 2010, which posted a 0.4 metered market rating for SportsCenter from 6-8 p.m. and peaked with a 0.8 rating from 7:45-8 p.m. It also trumped ESPN’s exclusive interview with Alex Rodriguez on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, which generated a 0.9 metered market rating (6 p.m. edition of SportsCenter).
LeBron Coverage Across ESPN Digital Media Platforms
James’ decision attracted more than 300,000 unique viewers on ESPN3.com, one of the largest audiences ever for a non-World Cup match. ESPN.com and ESPN Mobile Web had more than three million unique visitors from 9-10 p.m. Additionally, visitors spent nearly 130 million minutes on the ESPN.com home page, ESPN.com NBA section, ESPN Mobile Web home page and ESPN Mobile Web NBA section throughout the day.
ABC’s exclusive coverage of The Finals Game 7 – Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers – delivered an 18.2 overnight rating, the highest-rated NBA game since 1998 (Bulls/Jazz). The overnight rating for last night’s Game 7 marks the highest-rated NBA Finals game ever on ABC (surpassing Lakers/Pistons, Game 5, in 2005 – 15.5 overnight rating; ABC overnight records go back to 2003).
Last night’s Game 7 overnight rating was up 32 percent compared to the last Game 7 in 2005 (Pistons/Spurs – 13.8 overnight rating).
The Finals led ABC to win the night in prime time for all seven nights of the series. Thursday’s Game 7 broadcast was the highest-rated show of the night for all of television, as was the case for the previous six games. The game peaked with a 23.7 rating from 11:45 p.m. to midnight ET.
In Los Angeles, Game 7 delivered a 39.7 metered market rating to become ABC’s highest-rated NBA game ever in the market. Boston’s 33.9 rating is ABC’s second highest-rated game locally, trailing only the Celtics’ championship-clinching victory in 2008 (Game 6).
Through six games of national ratings, The Finals on ABC have averaged 16,434,000 viewers and a 9.7 rating, the highest six-game averages since 2004 (Pistons/Lakers).
ABC’s exclusive coverage of The Finals Game 6 – Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers – delivered a 12.3 overnight rating, propelling the network to win the night in prime time for the sixth straight game. Tuesday’s Game 6 broadcast was the highest-rated show of the night for all of television, as was the case for the previous five games.
The Lakers’ 89-67 victory forced a decisive Game 7 – only the third NBA Finals Game 7 in the last 22 years – Thursday, June 17, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN Radio. Mike Breen calls The Finals on ABC with analysts Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy and reporter Doris Burke. Jim Durham provides play-by-play on ESPN Radio with Hall of Famers Hubie Brown and Dr. Jack Ramsay. ABC’s GMC Sierra NBA Countdown, with host Stuart Scott and analysts Magic Johnson, Jon Barry and Michael Wilbon, will preview Game 7 at 8:30 p.m.
Through five games of national ratings, The Finals have averaged 16,155,000 viewers and a 9.6 rating, the highest five-game averages since 2004 (Pistons/Lakers). The Finals' viewership is up 13 percent (vs. 14,347,000 viewers) and ratings are up 14 percent (vs. 8.4) vs. last year (Lakers/Magic).
An interview with President Barack Obama by Marv Albert was aired during TNT's Tip Off pre-game show, just prior to Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns from US Airways Center. The interview was recorded from the White House basketball court. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Obama on how often he plays basketball: “Well, these days I probably play once every two to three weeks, not as often as I’d like. But during, say, the health care debate, when things are just going crazy over on Capitol Hill, a lot of times I’ll just come out here and shoot or I’ll play a game of HORSE and it takes an edge off things.”
Obama on if he played against differently since becoming the President: “Well, it is true I usually have guys with guns around, so if somebody takes a real hard foul, they could get in trouble. Nobody ever lets me win because if you let me win, you’ll never hear the end of it. I’ll talk a little trash about you. I’ll make you feel bad about yourself if we beat you real bad.”
Obama on his improved bowling: “My bowling has greatly improved. So Marv, you’re touching on a slightly sensitive point. I’m not going to walk off the set here, but we do have a bowling alley here at the White House and I’ve gotten a lot better.”
Obama on whether he does play-by-play to himself while playing: “In the back of my mind Marv Albert is making the call. I have your voice in my head as I’m shooting three.”
Obama on his opinion about LeBron James’ impending free agency: “I think that the most important thing for LeBron (James) right now is actually to find a structure where he’s got a coach that he respects and is working hard with teammates who care about him and if that’s in Cleveland, then he should stay in Cleveland . If he doesn’t feel like he can get it there, then someplace else. The one thing I remember about the Bulls was it wasn’t until Michael ( Jordan ) had confidence in Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, it wasn’t until you got that framework around you that you could be a champion. Same thing happened with Kobe (Bryant), first with Shaq (O’Neal) then later with ( Pau ) Gasol. He’s gotten that sense of a team around him and I think LeBron hasn’t quite been able to get that yet. That’s what he needs to find.”
Albert: “Could you, on behalf of the Bulls, throw in perhaps a night in the Lincoln Bedroom or a ride on Air Force One?”
Obama: “You know, like I said, I don’t want to meddle. I will say this, (Derrick) Rose, (Joakim) Noah…it’s a pretty good core. You know, you could see LeBron fitting in pretty well.”
Obama on what change he would make if he were the commissioner for a day: “I’ll be honest with you, I think the game is in a good place right now. The way they’re calling the game right now returns basketball to where it’s supposed to be, more of a finesse game. The biggest change I’d probably propose right now is the commissioner needs to figure out how to price tickets so that ordinary people can go to the games. I mean, I think that ticket prices have gotten so high, and I understand that salaries are high, ticket prices are going to be high, but you know, you hate to think that the only person that can go to a game is somebody who’s got a corporate account. And that’s something that I’d love all professional sports, that’s not just NBA, but all professional sports to be thinking about that a little more.”
Obama on sports figures and organization getting involved in political issues, such as the Phoenix Suns taking a stand against the Arizona immigration law: "I think that just because somebody's a sports figure or you've got a sports team doesn't mean that you're not part of the community and you're not part of our democracy. I think it's terrific that the Suns, who obviously feel very strongly about their community, recognize that a big part of their community felt threatened by this new law. You know, when I was growing up, you had figures like Arthur Ashe and Bill Russell who routinely would talk about the world around them. You wouldn’t always agree with them, but that sense that people are engaged in the big issues of the day, I think, is a positive thing. I don’t think that either players or franchises need to always steer away from controversy. I happen to personally think that the Arizona Law is a bad idea, I’ve said so publically, and I see no reason why these guys can’t make the same statement.”
Obama on the Washington Wizards winning the No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft: “(John) Wall is a terrific player. He’s got NBA speed, NBA body, great jump shot, unselfish, really impressive. There’s only upside for that kid. And I think it’d be great for him to come to Washington . I became very close to Abe Pollin, who was a great supporter, he and his wife. He just passed away recently, but there’s an example of a guy who constantly gave back to his community. I mean, almost single-handedly, he invested in downtown Washington at a time when it was in really bad shape, and you know, generated huge affection in this city and it was wonderful to see his widow there getting that number one pick. I only wish the best for that franchise.”
Obama on his assessment of the NBA Finals contenders: “ Boston surprised me. They gelled in the playoffs in a way that they hadn’t all through the season. (Rajon) Rondo’s become one of the best point guards in the league in no time. I mean, when he gets a real jump shot, he’s going to be unstoppable. But I’ve got to go with the Lakers again. I think ( Pau ) Gasol may be the best big man in the league right now. He’s different from Dwight Howard, but he’s (got) unbelievable footwork, speed, savvy, he’s playing magnificently. Kobe (Bryant) is the fiercest competitor in the league and they’ve got what I continue to believe is the best coach in the NBA right now in Phil Jackson, so their going to be formidable and I think it’ll be a tough series. Boston ’s a veteran club, but the Lakers are looking pretty good.”
Obama on his closing thoughts for the TNT guys: “Listen, you are welcome, Marv, to call play-by-play in any pick up game that we have. I want you to let Kenny know and Charles know that I appreciate them. And I am curious (about) Charles’ golf game though. I want to see if that swing ever got fixed. Charles is a great guy, great friend, but it’s a scary golf swing.”
In 2008, the NBA gained praise from national media and fans for its “There Can Only Be One” ad campaign. The ads, which were produced by Goodby, Silverstein and Partners and directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (Little Miss Sunshine) took a split screen of two players and had each talk about issues such as “fear” and “the dream.” The ads were parodied by TIME and given high marks by CNBC and many other media outlets such as USA Today and the Chicago Sun Times.
The NBA achieved its goal to “bring to life the dedication, desire, and sacrifice that create the intense emotions and drama of one of sport's premier postseason events: the NBA Playoffs and The Finals.” The recently released 2010 playoff ad may fall short of the standard set in ’08.
The new playoff ad campaign (see above) features a hip hop beats mixed with interviews of big-name players such as Paul Pierce, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, all this over highlights of dunks and blocks. It’s hard to picture TIME rapping with Obama quotes.
The campaign must be designed to reach certain viewers, because few will understand what’s going on in the ads. The 2008 ads grabbed the interest of many, the 2010 ads seem like they will bother more people than draw-in.
Former NBA star and head coach Byron Scott has joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst and will start his new role in January. Scott previously served as an ESPN analyst during the 2003-04 season.
“Byron has excelled in every professional endeavor and we know his success will carry over to his on-air role,” said Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president, production. “We welcome him back. His experience and passion for the game will resonate with our fans.”
“I look forward to being able to contribute my insights and perspective on the game I love,” said Scott. “ESPN has an abundance of terrific talent and I’m glad to be back in broadcasting with the premier sports network.”
Scott most recently served as head coach of the New Orleans Hornets (2005-09), and won NBA Coach of the Year in 2008. He was head coach of the New Jersey Nets (2000-04) and, in 2001-02, led them to a franchise record 52 wins and The Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Scott led the Nets back to The Finals the following season (2002-03) against the San Antonio Spurs.
Scott was a key player for the Lakers during the "Showtime" era, playing alongside Magic Johnson, James Worthy, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He played for the Lakers for 10 consecutive seasons (1983–1993). During that time he won three NBA championships (1985, 1987 and 1988).
Disgraced former NBA referee, Tim Donaghy, will be on Sunday's episode of "60 minutes" at 7:00pm ET. Below is a preview of the interview with Bob Simon.
The Nets' 0-14 start has driven their TV ratings down 41% from last season
Despite reports that the New York Knicks were “90 percent” on signing guard Allen Iverson, the team opted not to sign the former MVP. Maybe it was team chemistry, maybe it was Iverson’s past disputes with coaches, but it certainly wasn’t a move (or lack thereof) to improve TV ratings, according to the New York Times. So far this season, the Knicks TV numbers have been as their record, bad. The team is 2-9 and ratings on MSG are down from 1.23 (or 91,000 local TV households) to .88 (less than 65,000) over the same time period as last year.
The lowest rating for a Knicks broadcast this season was a .53 against the Milwaukee Bucks. The highest, a 1.42 against the Charlotte Bobcats on Oct. 30, barely eclipsed last season’s average. Not even LeBron James could make people watch the Knicks, drawing just a 1.30 in the Nov. 6 Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavilers matchup. Their current average TV rating is a .88.
The Knickerbockers aren’t the only franchise struggling for viewership. The 0-14 New Jersey Nets would kill for a .88, the Nets average rating is currently a .31 (23,000 viewers), down 41 percent from last season. The lowest rating came Nov. 11 against the Philadelphia 76ers when the YES Network scored a .17.
Speaking of TV and the lowest of the lowly NBA teams, the Minnesota Timberwolves may have set a record for the earliest in a season to ever get bumped from national television due to performance. ESPN elected to replace the T’Wolves vs. Phoenix Suns game Friday with Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Milwaukee Bucks. The decision was presumably made based on Minnesota’s 1-12 start mixed with the early success of rookie Brandon Jennings.
What can these teams do? CNBC’s sports business reporter Darren Rovell suggested the Nets sign a Harlem Globetrotter or have David Blaine sit on the Izon Center until the team wins. Outside of winning games, that’s about all they can do.
NBA TV today announced the addition of two-time NBA Champion and 14-year veteran Brent Barry to its announcer roster for the 2009-10 season. Barry will work as a studio analyst for NBA GameTime, the network’s live studio show filled with highlights, analysis, commentary and live look-ins at games being played across the league. Barry will join on Monday nights, beginning Monday, Nov. 2, alongside host Andre Aldridge and analyst Eric Snow. He will also contribute to The Jump on NBA.com, a new, live interactive show every Tuesday hosted by Kyle Montgomery and former Orlando Magic sharp-shooter Dennis Scott.
Barry is the newest studio analyst on the network’s impressive roster which includes Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber, 14-year veteran Steve Smith, Snow and Scott. Barry is best known for his three-point shooting in which he currently ranks 10th all-time in career three-point field goals made. Barry spent 14 years in the NBA with six teams including the L.A. Clippers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.
NBA TV will take the court for its first week of Tuesday Fan Night with the Lakers @ Thunder match-up, as voted upon by fans on NBA.com. The game will air on Tues., Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. (ET) with host Ernie Johnson and analysts Chris Webber and Kevin McHale on-hand for studio coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. (ET).
Fan Night voting will continue on NBA.com from Tues., Nov. 3 (8 a.m. ET) – Thurs., Nov. 5 (Midnight ET) as fans select the match-up for Tues., Nov. 10 between:
· Orlando Magic @ Charlotte Bobcats
· Washington Wizards @ Miami Heat
· Denver Nuggets @ Chicago Bulls
· Portland Trail Blazers @ Memphis Grizzlies
· Houston Rockets @ Dallas Mavericks
· Oklahoma City Thunder @ Sacramento Kings
NBA TV’s new show All-Access with Ahmad, airing every Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. (ET) provides viewers a front row seat for his one-of-a-kind interviews with the game’s biggest personalities to capture the candid and compelling personal stories of basketball’s best.
NBA TV will also feature live games on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. (ET) with the Denver Nuggets @ Atlanta Hawks and on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. (ET) with the Golden State Warriors @ Sacramento Kings
On the heels of the most-watched NBA regular season in Turner Broadcasting’s 26 years of airing NBA basketball, TNT tipped off the 2009-10 season with its most-watched doubleheader since Feb. 2, 1996 with nearly 3.7 million total viewers. The previous record is held by a doubleheader featuring the Suns @ Cavaliers and Bulls @ Lakers. In addition, the doubleheader ranks as Turner’s most-watched opening night in its 26 years of airing NBA basketball. TNT, which has enjoyed back-to-back years of ratings increases for its regular season and NBA Playoffs, last night earned a 2.3 U.S. household rating for its exclusive doubleheader of the Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers and L.A. Clippers @ L.A. Lakers.
In addition, TNT had double-digit growth over last year’s doubleheader of Cavaliers/Celtics and Trail Blazers/Lakers in total viewers, up +43% (3,676,000 vs. 2,579,000 in 2008) and households, up +40% (2,685,000 vs. 1,914,000). Key demos saw tremendous increases, including:
A18-34: +35% 1,299,000 vs. 961,000
A18-49: +35% 2,170,000 vs. 1,608,000
A25-54: +39% 1,905,000 vs. 1,374,000
M18-34: +38% 975,000 vs. 707,000
M18-49: +37% 1,562,000 vs. 1,143,000
M25-54: +40% 1,358,000 vs. 969,000
TheCeltics/Cavaliersgame delivered a2.6 U.S. household rating,4,021,000 total viewers and2,977,000 households.The match-up earned a20.0 rating in the Cleveland marketand an8.3 rating in the Boston market.
The Clippers/Lakers game delivered a2.1 U.S. household rating,3,358,000total viewers and2,415,000 households.The match-up earned a6.2 rating in the Los Angeles market.
NBA.com, which is jointly managed by Turner Sports and the NBA, also saw tremendous online growth for NBA Opening Night, including:
A 121% increase in total video streams.
A 25% increase in total page views
A 21% increase in unique users.
NBA on TNT Premiere Week presented by AutoTrader.com continues on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. (ET) with an exclusive doubleheader featuring theSan Antonio Spurs visiting theChicago Bulls. The second game will feature thePortland Trail Blazers hosting theDenver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. (ET). Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai will wrap up the night’s action following the doubleheader.
Source: TNT. Television data based on Nielsen Media Research, Live + Same Day data. NBA Regular Season Opening Night games only, 11/04/1994 through 10/27/09
NBA TV will reach 45 million homes this season, following Thursday’s announcement of new multiyear agreements with Time Warner Cable, Cablevision Systems Corporation, and DISH Network L.L.C., which will supplement recent affiliate deals with Comcast, Cox, DIRECTV, and Verizon.
Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, and DISH Network also will continue to provide NBA LEAGUE PASS, the league’s subscription package of up to 40 out-of-market live NBA games each week, to their customers. NBA TV and NBA LEAGUE PASS are part of NBA Digital, the NBA's extensive cross-platform portfolio of digital assets jointly managed by the NBA and Turner Sports. This robust offering also includes NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, NBA Mobile, NBADLEAGUE.com , and WNBA.com.
"We are pleased to announce that our new agreements with Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, and DISH Network will bring NBA TV to 45 million U.S. homes," said NBA Deputy Commissioner and COO Adam Silver. "NBA TV remains the ultimate basketball destination, and we're excited to welcome the millions of new fans who will be able to experience the network's original programming, live games, and Emmy award-winning on-air talent."
Time Warner Cable, the second-largest cable operator in the U.S., will offer NBA TV to its customers on its Digital Basic tier.
Cablevision, one of the nation’s leading media and entertainment companies, will make NBA TV available to its customers on its iO digital package.
DISH Network, a leader in satellite TV, will offer NBA TV as part of the Classic Silver 200 Package.
NBA TV offers more than 100 live NBA games, original programming, and signature studio shows featuring Emmy® award-winning on-air talent. The network’s lineup of signature shows includes Tuesday’s Fan Night, which provides live studio programming around weekly matchup(s) that fans select through a vote on NBA.com. NBA TV also features a marquee roster of on-air talent, including Hall of Famer Kevin McHale, former NBA All-Star Chris Webber, former NBA greats Steve Smith and Eric Snow, and Emmy award-winners Ahmad Rashad and Ernie Johnson.
The 2009-10 season will tip off on Tuesday, Oct. 27 on TNT, when the last two NBA champions take the court. The 2008 champion Boston Celtics will battle perennial Eastern Conference contenders, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the first game at 7:30 p.m. ET. In the nightcap, the reigning NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers host their upstart, in-town rival Los Angeles Clippers.
The 2009-10 ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com and ESPN FULL COURT women’s college basketball schedule will feature approximately 250 telecasts - the most ever on the ESPN networks, including the entire NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. Highlights of ESPN’s 31st season of women’s college basketball coverage include:
For the 17th consecutive season, the State Farm Tip-Off Classic will commence ESPN’s coverage of the sport. This year’s matchup will feature Baylor at Tennessee on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
ESPNU Road to the Championship, a women’s basketball doubleheader created by ESPN Regional Television (ERT), will be played on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, home of the 2010 Women’s Final Four. National powers Connecticut, Tennessee, Texas and Texas Tech will take part in the doubleheader televised by ESPNU and ESPN2 at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively. This will be part of ESPN’s second annual College Hoops Tip-Off Marathon.
Entering its fourth season, ESPN2’s BigMonday presented by Bud Light prime-time Game of the Week series will include 11 games (up from eight) throughout January and February, featuring the best programs in Division I women’s basketball. The series will begin on Jan. 11 at 7:30 p.m. with an ACC matchup featuring Maryland at Virginia. New to this year’s schedule is the addition of Big Monday doubleheaders on Feb. 8, Feb. 15 and Feb. 22. The games will generally air during the 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. windows.
The 2009 Jimmy V Women’s Basketball Classic on December 7 will be held at Rutgers University in Piscataway, N.J. for the fourth consecutive year and will feature Florida vs. Rutgers in a showdown at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
ESPN’s weekly College GameDay Driven by State Farm® college basketball series and the Saturday Primetime game-of-the-week telecast -- returning for a sixth consecutive season – will begin Saturday, January 16, 2010 from Storrs, Conn. for the women’s BIG EAST showdown between Notre Dame and defending National Champion Connecticut. It will mark the first time the show has originated from a women’s game. Two one-hour segments of the show will air at 10 a.m. and at 8 p.m. The game will air on ESPN at 9 p.m.
February Frenzy returns on Valentine’s Day Sunday, Feb. 14, as ESPN2 showcases six regionalized games within two telecast windows. For a third year in a row, ESPN will support the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund, in partnership with The V Foundation, during its annual “February Frenzy” women's college basketball games. The full national ESPNU women’s game featuring Kentucky at Vanderbilt at 6 p.m. on Feb. 14 will also be part of the “Frenzy,” as will Big Monday doubleheader on Feb. 15 showcasing North Carolina at Virginia at 7 p.m. and Connecticut at Oklahoma at 9 p.m.
As part of ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU and ESPN360.com’s week-long men’s and women’s Championship Week presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, the networks will combine to present 13 women’s conference championships, including every game from the quarterfinals through the championship for the BIG EAST, plus the SEC Semifinals and SEC Championship. Other women’s championships: Big Ten, Atlantic 10, Summit League, Sun Belt, NEC, Horizon League, West Coast Conference, WAC, MEAC, SWAC and SIAC.
Overall, the ESPN networks will showcase more than 130 regular-season games, over 40 conference tournament matchups, the Division II Women’s Basketball Semifinals and Championship, and all 63 NCAA Division I Championship contests. Additionally, ESPN will continue to present the exclusive live announcement of the 64-team NCAA Tournament field as part of Selection Monday, Mar. 15, at 7 p.m., with ESPNU offering bonus coverage with an additional hour of NCAA Women’s Basketball Selection Special: Extended Coverage from 8–9 p.m.
ESPNU will televise 54 games, including 37 regular-season contests (up from 31), 17 conference championship matchups and the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship Semifinals. In addition, the 24-hour college sports network cover the Fourth Annual Maggie Dixon Classic on Sunday, Dec. 13, from Madison Square Garden. The doubleheader will showcase Baylor vs. Boston College at 1 p.m., followed by Rutgers vs. Tennessee at 3 p.m. The schedule will also be highlighted by a BIG EAST and SEC game-of-the-week most Sunday afternoons during January and February.
ESPN360.com will simulcast every game on ESPN and ESPN2 and will offer complete telecasts of every NCAA Women’s Tournament game.
NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship:
All 63 NCAA Tournament Games on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com & ESPN FULL COURT
For the eighth consecutive year, the ESPN networks will combine to present all 63 games from the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. During the first two rounds, ESPN and ESPN2 will present the 48 games within 12 telecast windows in a whip-around format with home market protection. ESPN FULL COURT, the out-of-market pay-per-view package, will offer every first- and second-round game in its entirety as a supplement to ESPN and ESPN2’s coverage. ESPN360.com will offer complete game telecasts of all 63 games, while ESPNU will offer select ESPN and ESPN2 early-round games in their entirety. The final 15 games (regional semifinals on) will have national telecast windows on ESPN or ESPN2. The complete schedule will be announced on a later date.
Select Read More to see the 2009-10 Women's NCAA Basketball schedule on ESPN
WNBA Finals ratings are up 55 percent from last year. The finals, which are broadcast on ESPN 2, have brought in an average of 531,000 viewers so far as opposed to averaging 331,000 last year. The three games have all been decided by nine points or less, including an overtime victory by the Phoenix Mercury 120-116 over the Indiana Fever. The ratings rise may be due in part to two of the league’s stars, MVP Diana Taurasi and Tamika Catchings. With ratings headed north for the WNBA, we look at other aspects of the WNBA that work to draw viewers and fans to the stands:
-Middle-class salaries
Put it this way: Alex Rodriguez makes almost 35 times the salary cap for a WNBA team. The average rookie makes as much as a first-year teacher. Matt Stafford earned $31million guaranteed for the Detroit Lions before throwing a single pass, after a full season, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA will have earned only around $44,000. The minimum salary for an NFL rookie is $310,000, so an undrafted free agent can earn around six times what the top WNBA pick will bring in. Obviously, the NFL had over 34 million viewers for a regular season game, so the talented women of the WNBA are not being victimized, but no one can say they are “overpaid.”
-Reasonable prices
One-thousand-eight-hundred-dollars and twenty-two cents is the highest price at Stubhub.com for the Steelers vs. Browns at Heinz field in Pittsburgh. You could attend 11 WNBA Finals games at center court, fourth row for the same price. And oddly enough, you’re unlikely to see people getting arrested, unlike Cowboy Stadium where 37 fans were taken away in cuffs.
-Growing audience
OK, maybe WNBA isn’t competing with the Lakers for top attendance, but WNBA games drew an average of 8,039 per game, a small increase from around 7,952. Seeing that the New York Yankees drew around 7,000 less per game than in 2008, a small increase is a big victory. Five teams, the Chicago Sky, Los Angeles Sparks, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty and the Washington Mystics had attendance increases of more than eight percent. The WNBA also reached out to its 23-54 male audience this season, increasing viewership 23 percent.
-Diversity
The WNBA is top-ranked in professional sports in diversity. According to a study run by The Institute of Diversity and Ethics in Sports, the WNBA has been the leader in diversity and gender studies since the league began in 1997. Richard Lapchick, who ran the study, said “the WNBA remained the best employer overall for women and people of color in sports.” Six out of 13 teams began the season with female coaches; five began with black head coaches, meaning 46 percent women, and 38 percent black.
Televison News
ESPN’s telecast of “The Decision,” when NBA superstar LeBron James announced his decision to join the Miami Heat, generated a 7.3 overnight rating from 9-10:15 p.m. ET. The 7.3 is the highest overnight rating for any non-NFL ESPN program this calendar year. Additionally, based on overnights, last night’s ESPN telecast was the highest-rated program of the night (cable or broadcast).
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Former NBA star and head coach Byron Scott has joined ESPN as an NBA studio analyst and will start his new role in January. Scott previously served as an ESPN analyst during the 2003-04 season.
NBA TV today announced the addition of two-time NBA Champion and 14-year veteran Brent Barry to its announcer roster for the 2009-10 season. Barry will work as a studio analyst for NBA GameTime, the network’s live studio show filled with highlights, analysis, commentary and live look-ins at games being played across the league. Barry will join on Monday nights, beginning Monday, Nov. 2, alongside host Andre Aldridge and analyst Eric Snow. He will also contribute to The Jump on NBA.com, a new, live interactive show every Tuesday hosted by Kyle Montgomery and former Orlando Magic sharp-shooter Dennis Scott.
On the heels of the most-watched NBA regular season in Turner Broadcasting’s 26 years of airing NBA basketball, TNT tipped off the 2009-10 season with its
NBA TV will reach 45 million homes this season, following Thursday’s announcement of new multiyear agreements with Time Warner Cable, Cablevision Systems Corporation, and DISH Network L.L.C., which will supplement recent affiliate deals with Comcast, Cox, DIRECTV, and Verizon.
The 2009-10 ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN360.com and ESPN FULL COURT women’s college basketball schedule will feature 
WNBA Finals ratings are up 55 percent from last year. The finals, which are broadcast on ESPN 2, have brought in an average of 531,000 viewers so far as opposed to averaging 331,000 last year. The three games have all been decided by nine points or less, including an overtime victory by the Phoenix Mercury 120-116 over the Indiana Fever. The ratings rise may be due in part to two of the league’s stars, MVP Diana Taurasi and Tamika Catchings. With ratings headed north for the WNBA, we look at other aspects of the WNBA that work to draw viewers and fans to the stands:
