NBA Playoffs Viewership up 27 Percent on ABC; 23 Percent on ESPN

The NBA Playoffs on ABC have averaged 5,844,000 viewers through three postseason broadcasts, an increase of 27 percent over 4,601,000 for the same time period last year, according to Nielsen. The corresponding 4,236,000 household impressions are up 22 percent compared to 3,463,000 in 2010 and the 3.7 rating is a 23 percent improvement over last year's 3.0 rating.

Through seven telecasts, ESPN is averaging 3,582,000 viewers, a 23 percent increase over 2,914,000 for the same number of telecasts last year. ESPN's 2,644,000 household impressions are up 20 percent over last year's 2,195,000 and the 2.6 rating is an improvement of 18 percent compared to the 2.2 rating in 2010.

ESPN and ABC are also seeing double-digit growth across all key demos: ESPN - up 26 percent among men 18-34 (2.9 vs. 2.3); 24 percent in men 18-49 (2.6 vs. 2.1); and 19 percent in men 25-54 (2.5 vs. 2.1); ABC - up 19 percent in men 18-34 (3.1 vs. 2.6); 28 percent in men 18-49 (3.2 vs. 2.5); and 23 percent in men 25-54 (3.2 vs. 2.6).

Coverage of the NBA Playoffs on ESPN and ABC - the home of The Finals - continues this weekend.

Audience Increases Across ESPN3.com, ESPN.com & ESPN Mobile TV

ESPN3.com's total minutes of consumption over the first round of the postseason has jumped 281 percent compared to the same time period last year. Additionally, the Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers, Game 1, registered the most unique views ever for an NBA game on ESPN3.com.

Since April 16, ESPN.com's NBA section has seen a 36 percent increase in total minutes spent; 29 percent in page visits; 27 percent in page views; and 27 percent in daily unique visitors compared to the same time frame last postseason.

ESPN Mobile TV's NBA section has also netted increases in total minutes spent (up 81 percent); visits (up 70 percent); page views (up 67 percent) and daily unique visitors (up 57 percent) over last year.