WNBA Finals Game 6 Draws 1.5 Million Viewers Despite 12:30 p.m. Tip
Updated
Updated · Yahoo Sports · Oct 31
WNBA Finals Game 6 Draws 1.5 Million Viewers Despite 12:30 p.m. Tip
3 articles · Updated · Yahoo Sports · Oct 31
Summary
1.5 million viewers watched WNBA Finals Game 6 across USA Network, E!, SYFY and Peacock, making it the fifth most-watched Finals game on cable despite a heavily criticized midday start.
The 12:30 p.m. ET tip was forced by a State Farm Arena scheduling clash with the NBA's Hawks, yet Atlanta still announced a sellout and the Dream kept the series alive with an 80-69 win.
Viewership rose 4% from last year's series-clinching Game 4, even though that matchup aired in Friday prime time; including encore telecasts in the original 8 p.m. slot, USA Sports said Game 6 reached 1.7 million.
The scheduling fight has sharpened scrutiny of the Dream's venue limits and league planning, with ownership saying it had warned for months about conflicts between its 3,500-seat home arena and the 17,000-plus Hawks venue.
Game 7 now shifts to San Francisco at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, where either Atlanta or Golden State will win its first WNBA title.