On the cable front this past seven days, only the NBA could stop History’s rampaging Hatfield & McCoys. On Monday night, Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals (Boston Celtics at Miami Heat) averaged a 4.1 rating with Adults 18-49 and almost 9 million viewers 2+. Directly against much of the game, the premiere episode of Hatfield & McCoys pulled a 3.7 and almost 14 million viewers (numbers that would make the show a true hit on any network, on any night and at any time of the year).
The only show that came close to these levels on broadcast television Monday night was NBC’s America’s Got Talent with a 2.8 rating and almost 10 million viewers 2+ (airing from 8-9 pm, partly against the NBA game but before the Hatfields and McCoys starting fighting on History).
On Sunday, Game of Thrones had a bit of an off week (1.6 rating compared to its usual 1.9 or 2.0), but it’s completely understandable given the holiday weekend. Viewing levels on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend plunge, but on Memorial Day itself viewing in prime time is almost completely back to normal compared to other summer Mondays.
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