Bulls/Heat Game 4 Ratings for TNT

From TNT Sports -

TNT’s EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF GAME #4 OF THE NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS DELIVERS 9.8 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS AND A 6.1 U.S. HH RATING

BULLS-HEAT SERIES AVERAGING MORE THAN 10.4 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS AND A 6.2 U.S. HH RATING

TNT’s exclusive coverage of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals series between the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat continues to draw big ratings for the network with Game #4 of the series delivering 9,770,000 million total viewers and a 6.1 U.S. HH rating. Locally, the top five overnight metered markets for Game #4 of the ECF were Miami (25.1 HH Rtg), Chicago (22.6 HH Rtg), West Palm Beach (14.3 HH Rtg), Memphis (11.0 HH Rtg) and New Orleans (9.5 HH Rtg).

Through four games of TNT’s exclusive coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals the network has averaged a 6.2 U.S. HH Rating (+32%), 10,414,000 Total Viewers (+38%) and 7,169,000 Households (+33%). TNT’s coverage of the series also has included two of the most-watched NBA games in cable television history with Game #1 delivering a record-setting 11.1 million total viewers and a 6.2 U.S. HH rating and Game #3 becoming the second most-watched NBA game in cable television history with nearly 10.9 million total viewers and a 6.4 U.S. HH rating.

To date, TNT’s overall coverage of the NBA Playoffs continues to climb over the network’s coverage from a year ago, averaging a 3.4 U.S. HH Rating (+31%), 5,405,000 Total Viewers (+33%) and 3,913,000 Households (+30%).

Overall, through 39 games, TNT’s 2011 NBA Playoffs coverage also has delivered strong double-digit growth across all key demos including:

· A18-34 +41% (1,765,000 vs. 1,255,000)

· A18-49 +38% (3,094,000 vs. 2,249,000)

· A25-54 +33% (2,797,000 vs. 2,099,000)

· M18-34 +39% (1,222,000 vs. 879,000)

· M18-49 +39% (2,181,000 vs. 1,572,000)

· M25-54 +34% (1,951,000 vs. 1,451,000)

Game Five of TNT’s live exclusive coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals continues on Thursday, May 26 at 8:30 p.m. ET with the NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst) beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET. The night will conclude with Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai.

The NBA on TNT and NBA TV host 65 days of wall-to-wall coverage of the NBA Playoffs with 40+ games televised on TNT, and nearly 1,500 hours of total coverage on NBA TV including 195 hours of live studio coverage.

NBA Eastern Conference Finals Continues Sunday on TNT

From TNT Sports -

TNT’s Exclusive Coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals Continues

TNT’s exclusive coverage of the 2011 NBA Eastern Conference Finals (ECF) continues Sunday, May 22 with a special 30-minute edition of NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com at 8 p.m. (ET) with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst) previewing the night’s action. Following the pre-game show, Derrick Rose and Chicago Bulls will visit LeBron James and the Miami Heat at 8:30 p.m. (ET) in Game 3 of their best-of-seven series. Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst) and Reggie Miller (analyst) will call the game with Craig Sager reporting. The night will conclude with the Emmy® award-winning studio show Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai with Johnson, Barkley, McHale and Smith recapping the game.

Exclusive coverage of the ECF on TNT resumes on Tuesday, May 24 with another 30-minute NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com at 8 p.m. (ET). Game 4 between the Bulls @ Heat follows at 8:30 p.m. (ET) with Albert, Kerr and Miller will call the game with Sager reporting. To finish the evening’s coverage, Johnson, Barkley, McHale and Smith will break down the action on Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai.

Companion coverage for every ECF will be available via TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The site will provide multi-camera angle coverage, including an “Action Cam” and a “Backboard Cam.” Users also will have the ability to vote for which player they would like the “Home Player Cam” and “Away Player Cam” to follow per quarter. The live player also will be available on Yahoo! Sports and SI.com

2011 NBA PLAYOFFS ON TNT (all times ET)
Sunday, May 22
8 p.m. (ET) NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

8:30 p.m. Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat (Game 3)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Postgame Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

Tuesday, May 24
8 p.m. (ET) NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

8:30 p.m. Chicago Bulls @ Miami Heat (Game 4)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Postgame Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

Thursday, May 26
8 p.m. (ET) NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

8:30 p.m. Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls (Game 5)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Postgame Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

TNT Notes on Bulls/Heat Game 2

From TNT Sports -

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Game 2:  Miami Heat (85) @ Chicago Bulls (75); The series is tied 1-1

TNT’s coverage of the 2011 NBA Eastern Conference Finals continues on

Sunday, May 22 at 8:30 p.m. (ET) 

  

“Quote of the Day”

TNT Reporter Craig Sager: “Do you feel like you’ve taken control of the series now?”

LeBron James: “No, it’s just starting.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Pregame

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber

Webber on Miami center Jamaal Magloire playing ahead of Zydrunas Ilgauskus: “Ilgauskus is a better offensive player. Ilgauskus is a better defensive player. And seeing how both of these players can only give you a little bit, Ilgauskus can give you a little more.” 

Smith on Miami changing its lineup: “It just says how little things become big things. As good as Magloire played in the first game, he didn’t make the impact. Big Z might make the impact. The worst that he [Ilgauskus] can do is have the same impact. It think you have to try it [suit up Ilgauskus].”

Johnson asking Barkley how this Chicago Bulls team compares defensively to the Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls: “This team [2011 Chicago Bulls] does not compare. First of all, that Bulls [Jordan’s Bulls] team had two players who could play defense. The greatest player [Jordan] and the greatest defender I’ve ever seen in Scottie Pippen. Horace Grant was a good defender but it doesn’t compare.

Johnson: “That team [Jordan’s Bulls] is better?”

Barkley: “No. This team [2011 Bulls] is a better defensive team. There were only two guys on those teams that…I love Steve Kerr but he wasn’t a stopper. I love John Paxson but he wasn’t a stopper. They had Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan who were the two best defenders and Dennis [Rodman] and Horace [Grant] but this team [2011 Bulls], top to bottom with all their guys are better because of two guys Noah and Gibson. They can guard 1s, 2s and 3s.”

Smith: “In this era, this [2011 Bulls] is the best defensive team.”

Game 2:  Miami Heat (85) @ Chicago Bulls (75); The series is tied 1-1

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) with Craig Sager, reporting.

Kerr on Miami’s collective frame of mind tonight: “It’s all about ball movement and getting some motion offensively for Miami.”

Miller on what Chicago has to do tonight: “Rose and Noah have to set the tone for the [Chicago] defense.”

Kerr on Miami’s lack of bench: “I agree with Erik Spoelstra that his team is a very active, athletic team. I don’t think his bench is. When the two teams go to their respective benches, the energy and athleticism, there is a dramatic shift.”

Miller: Are the Heat being stubborn by not playing Ilgauskus and Erick Dampier? “Eric Spoelstra feels like their not quick enough to keep Noah, Luol Deng and Gibson off the offensive boards. They’re being stubborn. They don’t want to show weakness from Game 1 by saying ‘they should’ve been activated.’”

Kerr on Miami’s matchups: “Spoelstra just likes the matchup with Boozer and Magloire. To me it just shows the lack of depth and the problems Miami has.”

Miller on what Miami needs tonight after a mild start in the game: “You need superhuman efforts from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade and we haven’t seen that in a game-and-a-half.”

Kerr on how Miami has been able to succeed in the playoffs: “Miami has survived throughout these playoffs on free throws. They have scored fewer field goals than their opponents, fewer three-point field goals, they’ve made more turnovers, fewer assists but offensively they really haven’t been great. But from the free-thow line they just kill you.”

Miller on Kyle Korver as a key to Chicago’s outside game: “They are searching for Korver to get going. That’s the last component to this team that has struggled with its outside shooting.”

Kerr to Miller; “Do you agree with what Charles [Barkley] has been saying that [Dallas Mavs forward] Dirk Nowitzki is the best player in the NBA?”

Miller: “It’s hard for me to turn down Kobe Bryant or LeBron James but offensively he’s certainly the most skilled player.”

Kerr: “I would argue that he [Dirk] is clearly better than Kobe Bryant right now. Kobe was ineffective in that series. Dirk Nowitzki, the way he is playing now, I mean, wow!

****    ****    ****    ****

Halftime

Announcers: Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber

Webber on what Miami has to do in the second half: “They need to be athletic. When these guys [James and Wade] are attacking the rim, nobody in the League can block their shots. This isn’t the most athletic team but they have maybe two of the most athletic guys. The way these two guys go…shake-and-bake…is the way this Miami team will go.”

Barkley naming the greatest “trash talkers” of all time from the “Ask Charles” segment: “The greatest trash talkers ever: Reggie Miller, Gary Payton, Larry Bird, those are the three greatest trash talkers of all-time and I have to put Michael Jordan in there a little bit too.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Kerr comments with 6:33 left in the third quarter and the Heat leading by four points: “It feels like the tide has turned.”

Kerr on Miami’s offense tonight in the third quarter: “We’ve seen much better action from the heat offense in the game. They made better cuts, sharper cuts, better picks and they’re getting better looks.”

Kerr commenting on Miller’s observation that Chicago’s Derrick Rose is not able to “finish” tonight like in Game 1: “The speed of the Miami defense has Rose thinking just a little bit on those finishes. Miami’s defense, especially their starting unit is as fast as any in the NBA.”

Kerr on Miami forward reserve Udonis Haslem and his contribution to the Heat tonight: “If Miami wins tonight…he’s the headline.”

****    ****    ****    ****

TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed Miami Heat forward LeBron James at the end of the game:

James on the performance of teammate Udonis Haslem: “He definitely gets the game ball tonight. He came in with his energy, rebounding, finishing around the basket, making shots when they was making a run and that really helped us.”

Sager: “Do you feel like you’ve taken control of the series now?”

James: “No, it’s just starting.”

****    ****    ****    ****

Inside the NBA

Johnson, Barkley, Smith and Webber

Webber on Miami’s ball movement: “Ball movement makes it easier. Don’t take bad shots which lead to fast breaks for the other team.”

Barkley on Dallas Mavs guard Jason Kidd: “People underestimate Jason Kidd. He’s one of the great leaders in our sport.”

Heat/Bulls Ratings Game 1 Eastern Conference Finals - Most Viewed

From TNT Sports -

TNT’s EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE OF GAME #1 OF THE NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS DELIVERS MOST-VIEWED GAME IN CABLE TELEVISION HISTORY

BULLS AND HEAT SET VIEWING RECORD WITH MORE THAN 11.1 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS AND 6.2 OVERALL U.S. HH RATING

TNT’s exclusive live coverage of Game #1 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals featuring the Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls was the most-viewed game in the history of cable television (based on Total Viewership) by delivering 11.1 million total viewers and a 6.2 U.S. HH rating. It is also the most-watched Game #1 of any Conference Finals on cable and was viewed by more people than the previous best of 10,829,000 Total Viewers for the 2003 NBA All-Star Game (Michael Jordan's last All-Star Game).

TNT's Game #1 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals is up over the network's coverage of Game #1 of the 2010 Western Conference Finals (Phoenix Suns vs. Los Angeles Lakers), delivering a 6.2 U.S. HH rating vs. a 4.4 U.S. HH rating (+41%), 11,109,000 total viewers vs. 7,112,000 (+56%) and 7,166.000 households vs 5,012,000 (+43%).

To date, TNT’s coverage of the NBA Playoffs is up significantly over the network’s coverage from last year, averaging a 3.1 U.S. HH Rating (+29%), 4,989,000 Total Viewers (+33%) and 3,630,000 Households (+30%).

Overall, through 36 games, TNT’s 2011 NBA Playoffs coverage also has delivered strong double-digit growth across all key demos including:

A18-34 +42% (1,644,000 vs. 1,160,000)
A18-49 +38% (2,862,000 vs. 2,067,000)
A25-54 +34% (2,566,000 vs. 1,919000)
M18-34 +40% (1,146,000 vs. 819,000)
M18-49 +40% (2,030,000 vs. 1,454,000)
M25-54 +35% (1,799,000 vs. 1,332,000)

Game Two of TNT’s live exclusive coverage of the Eastern Conference Finals continues on Wednesday, May 18 at 8:30 p.m. ET with the NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst) beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET. The night will conclude with Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai.

The NBA on TNT and NBA TV host 65 days of wall-to-wall coverage of the NBA Playoffs with 40+ games televised on TNT, and nearly 1500 hours of total coverage on NBA TV including 195 hours of live studio coverage.

NBA Eastern Conference TNT Schedule - Bulls vs. Heat

From TNT Sports -

Turner Sports Reveals Plans for their Exclusive Coverage of the

Eastern Conference Finals Beginning Sunday, May 15

TNT and NBA TV analyst Chris Webber to go Virtual with Innovative “Webber’s World”

Turner Sports today announced its extensive coverage for the NBA Eastern Conference Finals (ECF) featuring the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, which will air exclusively on TNT. The network’s coverage of the series tips off on Sunday, May 15 with Game 1 live from the United Center in Chicago. NBA TV / TNT analyst Chris Webber will break down NBA action in virtual reality during the innovative feature Webber’s World. The five-time All-Star will be superimposed into live game footage as he walks onto the court to explain plays and discuss strategy with the ability to stop the footage and interact with the players virtually. (Please click on the link below to view a sneak-peak of Webber’s World):

WEBBER’S WORLD VIDEO


TNT’s exclusive coverage of the ECF also will feature 26 total cameras for each game including robo cams in locker rooms, a sky cam and aerial coverage for every game. In addition, each head coach will be mic’d up during every ECF game. TNT NBA analysts will host live streaming video chats on NBA.com, during which they will answer fans’ questions live after halftime of select games. The chats will feature Kenny Smith (Game 2), Charles Barkley (Game 3) and Steve Kerr (Game 5, if necessary). Barkley’s chat will also be available on charlesbarkley.com.

TNT’s studio team of Ernie Johnson (host) alongside Barkley and Smith (analysts) will preview each ECF game live on-site outside the arena during NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com. The pre-game show will lead directly into TNT’s exclusive game coverage with play-by-play announcer Marv Albert, analysts Kerr and Reggie Miller and sideline reporter Craig Sager covering the action. The telecast will conclude with the Emmy® award-winning Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai. The studio crew will be joined by NBA TV and TNT analysts Kevin McHale and Webber for select games. TNT’s Cheryl Miller will also provide reports from the Western Conference Finals.

NBA TV hosts Matt Winer, Rick Kamla and Marc Fein will be joined by analysts Greg Anthony, Brent Barry, Dennis Scott and Steve Smith, broadcasting from the network’s Atlanta studio, will provide an exclusive, 30-minute pre-game show on NBA TV prior to every ECF game on TNT as well as every Western Conference Finals (WCF) game. NBA TV and NBA.com also will air every live press conference following both the ECF and WCF games.

Companion coverage for every ECF will be available via TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The site will provide multi-camera angle coverage, including an “Action Cam” and a “Backboard Cam.” Users also will have the ability to vote for which player they would like the “Home Player Cam” and “Away Player Cam” to follow per quarter. Fans can watch each camera individually, with picture-in-picture or in the Mosaic View. Viewers also can participate in live Gigya chats with their friends and other fans through Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo! and MySpace. The live player also will be available on Yahoo! Sports and SI.com

Through the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs (35 total games), the network is averaging a 3.0 U.S. HH Rating, (+25%, 2.4 U.S. HH Rating last year), 4,823,000 Total Viewers (+33%, 3,638,000 last year) and 3,534,000 Households (+29%, 2,735,000 last year). Last year TNT aired 33 games through the first two rounds of the NBA Playoffs. TNT’s second round coverage during Primetime (10 games) also out-delivered all of television, both broadcast and cable, in primetime averages on six nights with M18-34 and five nights with M18-49.

2011 EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS ON TNT (all times ET)
Sunday, May 15
7:30 p.m. NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

8p.m. Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls (Game 1)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Postgame Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

Wednesday, May 18
8 p.m. NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

8:30 p.m. Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls (Game 2)
Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

Postgame Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai
Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst), Kenny Smith (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)