• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 8, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

NBA Draft Ratings Stay Strong Despite Lack of Star Power

  • France had a native drafted No. 1 overall in back-to-back years.
  • The NBA split the draft into two nights for the first time. 
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

No Wemby, no problem. 

Despite a lack of star power at the top of the 2024 NBA draft, this year’s ratings surpassed last year’s two-round broadcast.

According to Sports Media Watch, the first round of the draft, which aired Wednesday, averaged 4.4 million viewers across ABC and ESPN, peaking at 5.5 million. It’s an 18% increase from the 2023 draft, which averaged 3.7 million viewers. 

But context is key: 4.9 million viewers watched the first round of the 2023 draft, per SMW, before many tuned out for the second round. 

The old format of the draft would extend into early Friday morning while Wednesday’s first round concluded shortly after 11:15 p.m., an hour earlier than before. 

The 2023 draft was highlighted by the Spurs’ drafting Victor Wembanyama first overall. The 7-foot-4 French center was the most-hyped prospect since the drafting of LeBron James 20 years earlier. This year it was another Frenchman going first overall in Zaccharie Risacher, but he didn’t have a fraction of the hype Wembanyama did going into the draft. 

With the NBA splitting the draft into two days, it will be interesting to see what the ratings were for Thursday’s second round, given the lack of precedent and factors working against it. The second round’s start time was moved out of Thursday prime time to 4 p.m. to accommodate the presidential debate later that evening. While the first round didn’t have the star power of 2023, the second round saw the selection of Bronny James, the eldest son of LeBron, 55th overall to the Lakers, putting them one step closer to being the league’s first active father-son duo. 

While not a perfect comparison, the second and third day of the 2024 NFL draft averaged 3.3 and 5.5 million reviewers, respectively, both roughly 33% decreases from the prior draft. It’s hard to see the NBA coming anywhere close to those numbers—among many other factors, NFL second-rounders routinely become stars, while NBA second-rounders often never appear in a single game.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA

Crypto Group Says It’s Behind WNBA Dildo Epidemic

The group backs a memecoin that launched last week.
Etienne

A ‘College Football RedZone’ Is an ESPN Gold Mine—in Theory

The network would have to strike new deals with its rivals.
Apr 6, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Marc Leishman (center) celebrates with his teammates after winning the final round of the LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.

Trump Golf Courses Secure 2026 Stops on LIV, PGA

For the fifth consecutive year, LIV golf returns to a Trump course.

Featured Today

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Coco Gauff at New York Liberty
August 2, 2025

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
NFL Network host Kimmi Chex gives Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor a draft do-over during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Taylor was drafted in 2020 when the draft was held virtually due to COVID.

ESPN Reaches NFL Draft Rights Extension Following Mega-Deal

The network will continue to broadcast the draft through 2030, say sources.
August 4, 2025

NFL’s Hall of Fame Game Draws 6.9M TV Viewers, Highest Since 2021

The Lions and Chargers played this year’s game in Canton, Ohio.
Apr 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Roman Reigns during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
August 6, 2025

ESPN Strikes $1.6 Billion Streaming Deal With WWE

WWE’s premium live events are migrating from NBC’s Peacock in 2026.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 15, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) reacts to the crowd as they take on the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter at TD Garden.
July 30, 2025

WNBA Viewership Up Across All Networks Compared to 2024

Non-Fever games are up 37% compared to the full 2024 season.
NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace (23) celebrates winning Sunday, July 27, 2025, the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
July 30, 2025

Amazon, TNT Post Near-Identical NASCAR Ratings in Debut Season

The cable channel is a new media-rights partner this season.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Kia Nurse (11) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) during the second half at United Center.
July 29, 2025

Fever-Sky Draws 1.5M Viewers Despite Clark, Reese Absences

Clark and Reese both missed the game due to injury.
July 29, 2025

WBD Restructuring Shows What’s Old Is New Again

WBD will become Warner Bros. and Discovery Global as two separate entities.