Turner Sports reported today that TNT’s exclusive NBA Opening Night coverage on Tuesday, Oct. 28 delivered exceptionally high ratings, household and key demo growth across the board for the network’s NBA doubleheader. TNT’s two games featured the Cleveland Cavaliers at the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics (8 pm ET), followed by the debut of 2007-08 NBA #1 draft pick Greg Oden and the Portland Trailblazers at the defending Western Conference Champion LA Lakers.

• The two games saw a 12% rise in ratings (1.7 U.S. Rating vs. 1.5 last season) and a +14% increase in households (1,914,000) over TNT’s 2007-08 exclusive Opening Night doubleheader featuring the Portland Trailblazers @ San Antonio Spurs/Houston Rockets @ LA Lakers in the same time slots.

• TNT’s doubleheader also delivered 29% growth on Total Viewers (2,579,000)and over 22% growth on all key adult demos including Adults18-34Adults 18-49 (+37%, 1,608,000), Adults 25-54 (+32%, 1,373,000), Men 18-34 (+29%, 707,000), Men 18-49 (+27%, 1,143,000) and Men 25-54 (+22%, 969,000). (+36%, 961,000).

 Source: Turner Sports

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Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.

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