For the third time in two weeks, the Toronto Raptors have set an NBA broadcast record in Canada.
Thursday night’s Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Sportsnet reached 7.4 million Canadians and attracted an average audience of 3.3 million viewers, making it the largest audience ever for an NBA game in Canada.
Audience levels peaked at 4.1 million viewers at 11:35 p.m. ET, just as the Raptors clinched the victory.
Last night’s audience surpassed the previous NBA in Canada broadcast records, set on Sportsnet over the past two weeks. The May 25 Eastern Conference Final: Raptors vs. Bucks, Game 6 drew an average audience of 3.1 million viewers. The May 12 NBA Playoffs, Round 2: Raptors vs. 76ers, Game 7 drew an average audience of 2.2 million viewers.
Sportsnet’s and Sportsnet NOW’s coverage of the NBA Finals continues with Game 3, 5, and 7 on TV, and Games 2, 4 and 6 on Sportsnet 590 The FAN and 680 News.
TSN’s coverage of the NBA Playoffs starts with Game 2: Golden State @ Toronto on Sunday, June 2 at 8 p.m. ET on TSN and TSN Direct. The network will air ESPN’s NBA Finals Preview Show before and after the games. Additionally, CTV2 will simulcast ABC’s coverage of Games 2, 4 and 6. The TSN Broadcast Schedule includes Games 2, 4, and 6 on TV, and on radio, TSN 1050 will broadcast Games 1, 3, and 5.
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