Primetime Ratings: NBA Finals Slam Home Thursday Victory for ABC

Draws 7.1 rating in 18-49 demo and 16.7 million viewers, both up from Game 1

By Tim Baysinger -- Broadcasting & Cable, 6/15/2012 11:47:40 AM

Game 2 of the 2012 NBA Finals -- which saw the Miami Heat even the series -- continued the strong ratings for the series, notching the same 11.8 overnight as Tuesday's opening game. The Heat's 100-96 victory drew a 7.1 rating (up two tenths from Game 1) in the 18-49 demo, according to Nielsen overnight numbers, giving ABC the lopsided ratings win on Thursday with an overall 4.7 rating/15 share. The game also drew 16.7 million viewers, up 3% from Tuesday. Earlier, Jimmy Kimmel Live: Game Night drew a 2.1, down a tenth from Tuesday and Kia NBA Countdown was up three tenths with a 3.1. (Due to the nature of live events, ratings are subjected to higher-than-normal adjustments.)

In Oklahoma City, the game drew a 44.4 rating, the highest for an NBA game ever in that market. In Miami, the game generated a 30.3 rating.

CBS' repeats landed the network in a distant-second with a 1.5/5.

Fox finished third with a 1.3/4. The Choice and Take Me Out were both down two tenths in their second week, drawing a 1.1 and 1.5, respectively.

NBC aired the second episode of Saving Hope, which was even with another 0.7. Rock Center was also up a tenth from last week to a 0.8. The network landed in fourth place with a 1.0/3.

The CW rounded out the night with a 0.2/1. Breaking Pointe was up a tenth from last week to a 0.3.