Despite stars such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and despite the fact that both teams have large following, the broadcasting company ABC only reached 7.41 million viewers in match 1, a new bottom record.
The previous minimum figure was 8.06 million viewers, for match 3 of the 2003 series between the New Jersey Nets and the San Antonio Spurs.
The reduced interest in television has also been felt in other sports in North America. Among other things, 60 percent fewer viewers watched the final series of the ice hockey Stanley Cup finals compared to last year.