The 1981 NBA Finals, featuring the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets, is remembered not just for the Celtics' victory but also for its notably low television ratings. This series marked a significant moment in NBA broadcasting history, as it became the lowest-rated NBA Finals until 2003. The low viewership numbers highlighted the challenges the NBA faced in capturing a larger television audience during this period.
The Context of the 1981 NBA Finals
The early 1980s were a challenging
time for the NBA in terms of television viewership. The league was struggling to attract a broad audience, and this was reflected in the ratings for the 1981 NBA Finals. The series between the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets ended in six games, with the Celtics emerging victorious. Despite the presence of star players and the competitive nature of the series, the Finals failed to captivate a large television audience.
One of the reasons for the low ratings was the scheduling of the games. During this era, many NBA games, including some Finals games, were aired on tape delay. This meant that games were not broadcast live in many markets, which significantly impacted viewership. The 1981 Finals were no exception, with several games being shown on tape delay, contributing to the low ratings.
The Impact on NBA Broadcasting
The low ratings of the 1981 NBA Finals had a lasting impact on how the NBA approached broadcasting its games. The league recognized the need to make its games more accessible to a wider audience. This realization eventually led to changes in how NBA games were scheduled and broadcasted, with a greater emphasis on live broadcasts to attract more viewers.
Between 1981 and 1983, the ratings for CBS's NBA telecasts rose by 12%, indicating that the league's efforts to improve viewership were beginning to pay off. The NBA's decision to push the Finals back from late May to early June in later years also helped in avoiding the awkward long pauses between games, making the series more viewer-friendly.
Lessons Learned and Future Changes
The 1981 NBA Finals served as a wake-up call for the league, highlighting the importance of television ratings in the sport's growth and popularity. The NBA learned that to increase its fan base, it needed to ensure that its games were easily accessible to viewers. This led to a more strategic approach in scheduling and broadcasting games, which eventually helped the league grow its audience.
In the years following the 1981 Finals, the NBA saw a steady increase in viewership, culminating in the high ratings of the 1984 Finals, which featured the iconic rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers. The lessons learned from the 1981 Finals played a crucial role in shaping the NBA's broadcasting strategy, setting the stage for the league's future success.
