2013 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 7 Heat vs Pacers is TNT’s third most-viewed program ever

Last night’s presentation on TNT of the 2013 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 7, the decisive game between the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers, became TNT’s third highest-rated and third most-viewed program in its history, according to a release from the network. In TNT’s 29-year history with the NBA, the Heat vs Pacers Game 7 (won by the Heat in a blowout, 99-76; the Heat will next play the San Antonio Spurs in the 2013 NBA Finals), ranks as the network’s highest-rated and most-viewed NBA telecast, and stands as the highest-rated and most-viewed NBA game across all of television (broadcast and cable) this year.

Game 7 of Heat vs Pacers on TNT delivered a 7.1 U.S. HH rating and 11.5 million total viewers, based on Nielsen Fast Nationals. According to TNT, the telecast peaked with an average of 13.1 million total viewers from 10-10:30pm ET. In local markets, the Heat vs Pacers Game 7 averaged a 31.7 HH rating in Miami, and a 21.9 HH rating in Indianapolis.

TNT says that its coverage of the 2013 NBA Eastern Conference Finals averaged 8.4 million total viewers, an increase of 8% over its coverage of the 2012 NBA Western Conference Finals. The corresponding 5.2 U.S. HH rating is up 4% over last year’s 5.0 average rating. TNT’s coverage this year has also led the network to win the night for each game telecast among broadcast and cable networks across all core male demos, and to win the night across cable each night among U.S. HH rating, households and key adult and male demos.