Overnight Ratings For Game 1 Of NBA Finals Up 17 Percent

ABC's exclusive coverage of The Finals Game 1 - Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers - delivered a 10.4 overnight rating, a 17 percent increase from 2009 (Orlando vs. L.A. Lakers, 8.9 overnight). As was the case for every Finals game on ABC in 2009, Thursday night's Game 1 broadcast was the highest-rated show of the night for all of television, helping ABC to win the night for all networks in primetime.

The broadcast tied for the highest-rated Game 1 overnight rating (with 2008) over the past six years.

Coverage will continue with Game 2 Sunday, June 6, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN Radio.

2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats

Best Long-Running Broadway Show - Top 3

1. Hadestown

19.8% of votes

2. Hamilton

16.5% of votes

3. Wicked

12.5% of votes

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