Game 5 of Celtics/Lakers (ABC; Sunday 6/15/08) hit series-high levels with 9.2 ratings in both Men 18-49 and M18-34 and an average audience of 17.4 million viewers.

This was the highest rated Finals Game 5 since 2004:

NBA Finals - ABC
Game 5 - 2003-2008
M18-49 M18-34 P2+  Male  Median
Date Teams Time Rtg Rtg (000) Skew % Age
Fri 6/13/03 San Antonio/New Jersey 8:28-11:27p 5.0 4.7 9308 62% 42
Tue 6/15/04* LA Lakers/Detroit 9-11:49p 11.9 11.7 21843 61% 40
Sun 6/19/05 San Antonio/Detroit 9:13p-12:24a 7.1 6.6 13091 64% 42
Sun 6/18/06 Dallas/Miami 8:59p-12:40a 7.6 6.8 14318 63% 42
2007 San Antonio/Cleveland   Series ended in 4 games
Sun 6/15/08 Boston/LA Lakers 9:05p-12:12a 9.2 9.2 17394 62% 41
*Clinching Game              

Through 5 games, the 2008 Finals are averaging 7.7 ratings in Men 18-49 and Men 18-34 (up 57% vs. the 2007 Finals full 4 game average) and 14.6 million viewers (up 57%).

Celtics/Lakers is sure to be the highest rated Finals since Lakers/Pistons in 2004, but is unlikely to meet or surpass those lofty numbers.

NBA Finals - ABC
THROUGH 5 GAMES - 2003-2008
# of Games M18-49 M18-34 P2+  Male  Median
Date Teams In Full Series Rtg Rtg (000) Skew % Age
2003 New Jersey/San Antonio 6 5.3 5.2 9484 64% 41
2004 Detroit/LA Lakers 5 10.0 9.8 17942 62% 39
2005 Detroit/San Antonio 7 6.2 5.8 11181 64% 42
2006 Miami/Dallas 6 6.7 6.2 12482 64% 42
2007 Cleveland/San Antonio 4 4.9 4.9 9292 63% 43
2008 LA Lakers/Boston 7.7 7.7 14559 63% 42