Report: Jazz Give NBA Much-Needed Ratings Boost

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets earned impressive television ratings for the NBA in their game seven series finale. According to several outlets, the saw high viewership from both males and overall adults for the Tuesday night ABC window.

“Game 7 of the Nuggets-Jazz drew 3.385 million viewers on ABC,” Richard Deitsch, a Canadian Sports Radio host tweeted. “One of the most-watched games since the restart and very big for the NBA — a non-LeBron James game drawing robust numbers. Tops among all demos (Adults watching 18-34, 18-49 and 24-54.)”

Game 7 of the Nuggets-Jazz drew 3.385 million viewers on ABC. One of the most-watched games since the restart and very big for the NBA — a non-LeBron James game drawing robust numbers. Tops among all demos (Adults watching 18-34, 18-49 and 24-54.)

— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) September 2, 2020

The Jazz and Nuggets game was pushed back an hour to tip-off at 8:30 pm EST on ABC to reach a larger viewership, a gamble that appeared to pay off for the station on the league.

A game featuring two relatively unknown teams without perennial All-Stars is a good sign for the NBA after ratings have come up short of hopes inside the Orlando bubble.

Ben Cafardo of ESPN reported similar ratings numbers, mentioning that it was the most watch television even among males.

“The most-watched program on television for 9/1/20 in every key adult and male demo,” Cafardo tweeted.

🏀 #NBAPlayoffs on @ABCNetwork last night:

📺3,385,000 viewers for #Game7 Jazz vs. Nuggets.

📺The most-watched program on television for 9/1/20 in every key adult and male demo.

🏀Another Game 7 tonight at 9P ET on ESPN as the #Thunder take on the #Rockets.

— Ben Cafardo (@Ben_ESPN) September 2, 2020

Ratings had been down inside the bubble before the Jazz and Nuggets thrilling game seven. According to the popular basketball site RealGM, with information gathered from ShowBuzzDaily, the NBA’s rating had dipped nearly 20 percent through the first week of the season in Orlando.

Games have been played at unusual times through the middays due to a truncated playoff scheduled. Game seven between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder will be played tonight on ESPN and will provide additional data about whether fans are returning to boost NBA ratings in primetime.