Preliminary Analysis: NBA ratings continued to wildly disappoint as game three of the NBA finals (1.5) shed a tenth from game two, getting pummeled by CBS's 'NFL Overrun' (4.2) and NBC's NFL game (3.5). 2020 NBA ratings remain well below last year's given game 3 of the NBA finals managed a sturdy 4.6 A18-49 rating in June 2019. ABC's game led out of 'NBA Countdown' (0.7) and into a special 1-hour episode of 'Black-ish' (0.8). There's no real apples-to-apples comparison that can be made here since the Anthony Anderson sitcom has never aired on a Sunday evening or with a sports lead-in. For what it's worth, 'Black-ish' was four-tenths above its May 2020 finale (0.4) but a tenth below its September 2019 season premiere (0.9). 'Black-ish' will officially return in its normal timeslot on Wednesday, October 21.
Leading out of a strong 'NFL Overrun' (4.2), CBS's '60 Minutes' (2.0/0.8) rose significantly from last week at 7:30 but was down to normal levels by 8:30. The seasoned newsmagazine led into a presentation of the 2003 comedy film 'Old School' (0.4). NBC's 'Eagles v 49ers' NFL game (3.5) was a good bit below last week's (5.3) but will likely improve after finals. The game led out of 'Football Night in America' (1.8/3.3). One week after their NFL-charged premieres, all that momentum completely evaporated on Fox as 'The Simpsons' (0.5), 'Bless the Harts' (0.3), 'Bob's Burgers' (0.4), and 'Family Guy' (0.5) all either tied their series lows or (in the case of 'Harts') made a new one. On a week-to-week basis, 'The Simpsons' was down by more than a full point, 'Harts' lost five-tenths, 'Bob's' shed three, and 'Family Guy' only lost two. Those rotten showings were preceded by a repeat of Ken Jeong's new hit series 'I Can See Your Voice' (0.4). The CW had the season premiere of 'Pandora' (0.1) and a 'Supernatural' repeat (0.1).
Finals Update: On ABC, game 3 of the NBA Finals (2.2, +0.7) adjusted up by seven-tenths. Despite that, it still fell behind game 2 (2.4) and 1 (2.9). 'NBA Countdown' (0.4, -0.3) and 'Black-ish' (0.6, -0.2) both adjusted down by multiple tenths. CBS's NFL overrun (5.3, +1.1) adjusted up while both episodes of '60 Minutes' (1.6, -0.4; 0.7, -0.1) adjusted down. On NBC, 'Football Night in America' (1.0, -0.8; 2.2, -1.1) adjusted down while the 'Eagles v. 49ers' NFL game (4.5, +1.0) adjusted up.
Key:
(R) = repeat
(P) = premiere
(S) = special
