Weekend ratings predictions: NBA Finals, Belmont Stakes, and more – SportingNews.com
Ratings predictions for the weekend in sports television, starting with Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
NBA Finals, Cavaliers-Warriors Game 2 (8 p.m. ET Sunday, ABC): Game 1 was the highest-rated and most-watched opener since 2001, earning a 10.6 rating and 17.8 million viewers, but ABC has to be disappointed entering Game 2. The overtime injury to Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving is likely to sap the energy from a series that was already considered somewhat of a mismatch. Unless LeBron James can keep the Cavaliers close, it is possible the series has already peaked. Last year’s Heat-Spurs Game 2 had a 9.0 rating; Cavaliers-Warriors should still easily surpass that mark. Prediction: 10.3.
Stanley Cup Final, Blackhawks-Lightning Game 2 (7:15 p.m. Saturday, NBC): With a direct lead-in from the Belmont Stakes, NBC should score strong numbers here. Game 1 had the second-highest rating for an opener since 1999, with a 3.3. Last year the Belmont lead-in lifted Rangers-Kings from a 3.0 rating in Game 1 to a 3.7 for Game 2. Expect a similar jump this time around. Prediction: 4.1.
The Belmont Stakes, race portion (6:15 p.m. Saturday, NBC): For the second straight year, the race carries the possibility of a Triple Crown winner. Last year, California Chrome’s failed bid had an 11.9 rating — the highest for the race since Smarty Jones in 2004 (12.6) and the third-highest overall since 1977. That race had the benefit of novelty, as it was the first Triple Crown attempt in six years and only the second in a decade. Look for a slight drop-off for American Pharoah’s run. Prediction: 11.5.
French Open women’s final, Serena Williams-Lucie Safarova (9 a.m. Saturday, NBC): Williams’ return to the French Open final should result in respectable numbers for NBC. Her most recent appearance — against Maria Sharapova in 2013 — had a 1.9 rating. Prediction: 1.7.
NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Pocono (1 p.m. ET Sunday, Fox Sports 1): For years the start of TNT’s “Summer Series,” NASCAR from Pocono is now the fourth race of the year on Fox Sports 1. The network’s two previous Sunday races had ratings of 2.4 (Martinsville) and 2.5 (Dover), and there is no reason to believe this week’s race should do any differently. Last year’s Pocono race had a 3.0 on TNT. Prediction: 2.4.
Women’s World Cup, Norway-Thailand and Germany-Ivory Coast (1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday, Fox): For the first time in 12 years, the Women’s World Cup will air on a broadcast network. There is not much precedent for Women’s World Cup coverage on broadcast, especially so early in the tournament. ABC’s three matches in 2003 earned ratings of 1.3 (USA-North Korea), 0.9 (USA-Sweden) and 0.8 (the Germany-Sweden final). Those matches faced NFL competition, not to mention far greater apathy toward soccer. While this year’s tournament will undoubtedly be a stronger draw overall, Sunday’s doubleheader is unlikely to do much better. Predictions: 1.3 and 1.4, respectively.
Paulsen is the founder of Sports Media Watch and a contributor for Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter @Paulsen_SMW.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
