The NBA is in a better place when the Chicago Bulls are in the playoffs … just ask TNT!
Turner Sports announced on Tuesday that the Game 1 matchup between the Chicago Bulls at Milwaukee Bucks drew in 4.8 million viewers. The rating boost gave the network its most-viewed Round 1 playoff game since 2018.
NBA on TNT delivers network’s most watched NBA Playoffs opening day since 2018 pic.twitter.com/musvbx9NLt
— TurnerSportsPR (@TurnerSportsPR) April 19, 2022
According to Turner Sports PR, the game also finished as the most viewed program of the day on cable.
I’m sure part of that extra attention is thanks to the defending national champions. Not only are Bucks fans likely amped for a potential two-peat, but the superstardom of Giannis Antetokounmpo surely attracts many more casual fans to the screen. With that said, there is little doubt having the league’s third-largest market back in the postseason carries substantial weight. The Bulls have also only gained their own must-watch star power this season with stellar individual performances from Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
Whether or not the series will continue to drag in this much interest is a worthwhile question, but it’s good to see the Chicago Bulls finally back and well-represented on both the playoff and national stage.