Celtics-Bulls Game 6 packs them in

Comcast, TNT score big ratings

Game 6 of the first-round playoff matchup between the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls was one for the ages.

The triple-overtime thriller – in which the Bulls beat the Celtics 129-127 – was the highest-rated first-round game ever, drawing a 3.5 household rating and 5.4 million viewers overall according to Nielsen. TNT also led all cable networks Thursday evening in key adult and male demos.

In Chicago, Comcast SportsNet drew a 6.4 household rating – making it the second highest-rated Bulls telecast ever on the regional sportschannel. In Boston, CSN nabbed a 8.2 household rating, making it the highest-rated Celtics telecast in the history of the channel.

TNT contributed another 5.2 rating points, giving Boston a combined 13.4 household rating overall (TNT’s numbers were unavailable for Chicago.)

The playoff game certainly had an effect on the five major broadcast networks’ schedules, as almost everything last night underperformed from year-ago time period numbers.

Many pundits are saying this matchup is the best first-round playoff series ever, with five games going into either overtime or double-overtime.

Game 7 is tonight from Boston. Hey, who said there isn’t anything interesting on TV Saturday nights? The way this series has gone, believe me – you won’t be bored.

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