NBA Playoffs Dominate Top Sports Audiences on Busy Saturday, April 20
The NBA Playoffs took center stage on Saturday, April 20, sweeping the top four sports audiences of the day. The opening day of the playoffs saw a slight dip in ratings and viewership compared to last year, but still drew in a significant number of viewers.
The Lakers-Nuggets matchup led the way with a 2.8 rating and 5.65 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched opening day playoff game since 1999. Sixers-Knicks also drew in a large audience with a 2.1 rating and 4.19 million viewers on ESPN, marking it as the most-watched first round opener on the network since they reacquired rights to the league.
Outside of the NBA Playoffs, the PGA Tour Heritage tournament on CBS and NASCAR Xfinity Series racing on FOX also attracted a decent viewership. The NHL playoffs saw Maple Leafs-Bruins Game 1 draw a large audience on cable, while the UFL and NCAA women’s gymnastics national championship also had their share of viewers.
In soccer, Liga MX led the day with a match on Univision, while the Premier League and NWSL matches also drew in viewers. Formula 1’s Chinese Grand Prix on ESPN surpassed previous late-night races in viewership.
Overall, it was a busy day in the world of sports with a variety of events capturing the attention of viewers. From the NBA Playoffs to golf, racing, hockey, soccer, and more, there was something for every sports fan to enjoy on Saturday, April 20.