Cavs-Warriors draws 19.2 million viewers for Game 1 of NBA Finals

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Game 1 of the NBA Finals between Golden State and Cleveland was the most watched and highest-rated opening game on ABC, with 19.2 million people tuning in for an 11.1 U.S. household rating.

Nielsen said ABC eclipsed the previous viewership high of 17,768,000 by 8 percent, a mark set last year between the two teams. The viewership number was the biggest for a Game 1 on any network since 1998. The game peaked from 10:45-11 p.m. ET with 22,610,000 viewers and a 12.9 rating.

Game 1 was the most-watched NBA game ever on WatchESPN with an average minute audience of 347,000. ESPN drew an 0.6 Hispanic household rating with 124,000 total viewers, making it the most-watched and highest-rated Game 1 ever on the network.

In overnight ratings, the game delivered a 36.0 rating in Cleveland and 32.8 in San Francisco. Ratings represent the percentage of U.S. homes with televisions tuned to a program.

Game 2 is on Sunday in Oakland.