May 6, 2009 (Morning Call delivered by Newstex ) --
As an extension of my Tuesday morning Fine Tuning column, I will pass on the news that the first-round series between Chicago and Boston, a hard-fought 7-game battle that had four overtime games, really boosted the TV ratings for the NBA. In fact, Game 7 on TNT on Saturday drew 7 million viewers making it the highest rated first-round playoff game ever on cable TV. In fact, this Game 7 whipped last year's first-round Game 7 between the Hawks and Celtics on ABC by a sizeable margin.
Overall, TNT's first-round playoff ratings were up 13 percent in viewership.
We'll see if interest can be sustained through the second round which features Celtics -Magic and Cavs-Hawks in the East and Rockets-Lakers, Nuggets-Mavericks in the west.
The TV people have to be hoping for the Celtics to get their act together and beat Orlando to reach the Eastern Conference finals against the Cavs, who are a lock to beat Atlanta.
And even though I find the Rockets appealing because I'm?always?fascinated by the fortunes of a big man like Yao Ming (I grew up a Wilt Chamberlain fan), the ratings would probably be better if the Lakers come out of the West.
With the Celtics missing?Kevin Garnett and not as strong as a year ago, Kobe-Lebron is the dream scenario for the NBA finals.
Either way, the NBA seems?to be enjoying a revival of interest to this point of the postseason.?
*******Why the early start for Sunday's Phillies-Braves game at Citizens Bank Park?
The game has been moved up an hour from 1:35 to 12:35 so it can be? televised nationally by TBS. Bet you?still didn't know TBS has a national game of the week on Sunday afternoons, did you?
Newstex ID: 34694714
