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Game 5 of NBA Finals draws 12.2 million to ABC

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(Stock image)

More than 12.2 million American households tuned in to watch the Boston Celtics defeat the Dallas Mavericks to clinch the NBA Championship during Game 5 of the NBA Finals on ABC this week.

The figure, based on Nielsen data, was released by ESPN, which produces the NBA Finals for ABC. The Walt Disney Company owns the ABC broadcast network and a controlling share of ESPN.



“ABC’s exclusive coverage of the Boston Celtics decisive, record-setting NBA Championship victory over the Dallas Mavericks won the night across all of television and in all key demographics for every night of the NBA Finals, according to Nielsen,” an ESPN spokesperson said in a statement.

Game 5 of the NBA Finals drew 12.224 million viewers to ABC throughout the night, with the game peaking at 13.280 million viewers.



ESPN and ABC will now shift their focus toward the NBA Draft, which will extend across two nights this year. The NBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27.

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Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally-recognized, award-winning journalist who has covered the business of media, technology, radio and television for more than 11 years. He is the publisher of The Desk and contributes to Know Techie, Digital Content Next and StreamTV Insider. He previously worked for Thomson Reuters, the Walt Disney Company, McNaughton Newspapers and Tribune Broadcasting. Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn by clicking or tapping here.
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