ESPN Sets Record for NBA Draft Coverage

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ESPN’s live coverage of the 2015 NBA Draft Thursday night was the most watched in the network’s history, according to Nielsen.

The special drew 3.7 million viewers, up 8% for the network’s 2014 coverage of the draft, according to the network. With the first pick of the draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves picked Kentucky center Karl-Anthony Towns, while the Los Angeles Lakers chose D’Angelo Russell with the second pick of the draft.

The 2015 NBA draft was also the most watched show for the evening among adults 18-34, men 18-34, adults 18-49, men 18-49 and men 25-54, according to ESPN.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.