I think the #s are misleading. There are more channels, more programming and more competition (eg. internet) for television viewers than there was 10 years ago.

Does anyone know if the #s include people TiVo'ing the games?

I think the NBA is still expanding, even during the playoffs (just a hunch) but it is occurring on different fronts than television and particularly domestic television.

I think it is too complicated metric a to simply say, "with a star, everyone will watch".

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http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/basketball/319179_nban09.html

NBA Notebook: Finals Game 1 ratings are lowest ever in prime time

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK -- Game 1 of the NBA Finals drew the lowest rating ever for an opening game in prime time, dropping 19 percent from last year.
The Spurs' 85-76 victory over the Cavaliers on Thursday night earned a 6.3 rating and 11 share on ABC. The previous low was a 6.4/11 in 2003. Last year's Game 1 between Miami and Dallas earned a 7.8 rating and 14 share.

The rating is the percentage watching a telecast among all homes with televisions, and the share is the percentage tuned in to a broadcast among those households with televisions on at the time. A ratings point represents 1,114,000 households.

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Not sure if that means Tivo as well?

Tivo? Scoe...that's gotta be the lamest counterpoint you've ever made

I don't think it's a lame point, just perhaps a weaker possibility.

You have to look at what has changed in the last 15 years, and what is changing year to year.

One of those things is the penetration of new entertainment technologies to the marketplace. I would imagine more people have TiVo now than they did last year, or the year before. Likewise, there are probably more channels, more people playing Nintendo Wii and more people surfing online.

I don't doubt that the NBA's brand share on TV is diluting, I'm just not sold on the TV rating being the most accurate determinant of total media/entertainment share.

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Good news.

It's one of those situations where the Spurs were crowned champions as soon as the Pistons went down, so nobody cared to watch. Spurs are not a top draw anyway, so ABC has to show at least one Eva Longoria showing each quarter.

If the ratings continue to drop, she will be either replace Jon Barry on the broadcast team or Mike Wilbon on the pregame and halftime shows.

She is more annoying than Jon Barry, but certainly easier on the eyes than Mike Wilbon.

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To all of my friends, comrades and companions at PF.com

Thank you for another great season!

They did actually

shows that did better
So You Think You Can Dance?
CSI
Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
and Shark ? whatever that is

On Sunday, they compete w/ the Sopranos finale

LeBron James has made around 200 million dollars with endorsement deals and salary, yet he still comes in behind the 5th graders and the Shark (?).

Man, those 5th graders are gettin' jobbed.

You try and answer some of those fifth grade questions.............