In sports viewership ratings for Sunday, May 19th, two NBA Game 7 games were at the top.
Sunday's Game 7 of the second round of the NBA playoffs between the Timberwolves and Nuggets averaged a 4.1 rating and 8.41 million viewers on TNT (3.7 million, 7.51 million) and truTV (0.41, 0.905 million). , marking the highest viewership ever for the first or second round of the NBA Playoffs on TNT Sports (note that out-of-home viewing was not included in Nielsen estimates until 2020) ).
Minnesota's come-from-behind victory drew the biggest sports crowd of the day and the biggest crowd of the NBA season. Denver, whose title defense finished Sunday night, has played in four of the top five games.
Earlier in the day, Game 7 between the Pacers and Knicks drew 3.4 million and 6.45 million viewers on ABC, which was the most on ABC compared to the Sixers-Celtics game a year ago (3.9 million and 8.44 million). Compared to Game 7 of the second round, which had lower ratings, viewer ratings were down 11% and 24%, respectively. within 5 years. For more information on NBA Playoff viewership numbers, including averages from postseason to date, see this link.
The Pacers vs. Knicks game was broadcast directly across from the final round broadcast of the PGA Championship, with audience numbers of 2.9 million and 4.96 million, up 8% and 10%, respectively, from last year (2.6 and 4.52). It was the third-largest sports viewer of the day. ESPN's advance coverage was 0.7 million and 1.12 million compared to last year.
In addition, the NASCAR All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, averaged 1.4 million and 2.57 million people on FS1, marking the largest attendance for the exhibition in three years. That led to a recorded NHRA of 0.22 and 341,000. In other races, the Indianapolis 500 Qualifier drew 0.7 million and 1.15 million on NBC, a significant increase from last year's 0.56 and 842,000. On the other hand, the F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was 0.46 and 861,000 on ESPN2, a decrease from the previous race. It was held two years ago.
Sunday's Premier League Championship averaged 1.2 million and 2.17 million viewers across Nielsen ratings on NBC, USA, Golf Channel, CNBC, Telemundo and Universo across NBC networks, with West Ham vs. Manchester City across NBC 0.67 million and 1.17 million were the highest (0.51, 847K) and Telemundo (0.17, 326K).
In the UFL, D.C.-St. Louis averaged 0.6 million and 1.06 million on ABC, leading to Pacers vs. Knicks being the station's top UFL viewership to date. Later in the day, FOX tied Arlington vs. San Antonio at 0.32 and 545,000.
Timberwolves vs. Nuggets on ESPN sunday night baseball (Padres vs. Braves) was 0.52, 992,000, below the 1 million mark, and lower than the Guardians vs. Mets (0.7, 1.16 million) a year ago.
To close out the day, CBS drew a 0.54 and 834,000 in Professional Bull Riding. NBC tied 0.48 and 805,000 for Saturday's encore of the US Classical Gymnastics competition. Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas.
FSU Auburn led the NCAA Softball Tournament in attendance with a 0.31 and 566,000 spectators, the highest attendance for a regional softball tournament in the past five years. The average attendance for all regional tournaments was 258,000, an increase of 6% from last year.
Sports evaluation for Sunday, May 19th
