• Loading stock data...
Saturday, August 9, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

NBA Playoffs Deliver Most-Watched Opening Weekend in 25 Years

The NBA’s four-game Sunday slate fell on Easter.

Apr 20, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden.
Bob DeChiara/Imagn Images

The NBA regular season got off to a slow start ratings-wise, which triggered significant conversation about the league’s declining viewership. The same can’t be said about the NBA playoffs.

The opening weekend of the 2025 NBA postseason drew 4.4 million viewers across eight games on ESPN and TNT platforms, the most-watched opening weekend in 25 years, the league announced Tuesday. It’s also up 17% compared to last year. It’s worth noting that the NBA’s Sunday slate fell on Easter.

The three most-watched games were all on ABC, the NBA’s lone national over-the-air broadcast partner. ABC games averaged 5.66 million viewers, led by the 6.69 million who watched the defending champion Celtics defeat the Magic. That game, which peaked at 8 million viewers, tipped off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The second-most-watched game was Timberwolves vs. Lakers, which aired Saturday night on ABC and averaged 5.84 million viewers.

The six-game slate on ESPN platforms, which included the three ABC games and three ESPN games, averaged 4.49 million viewers—the highest in the network’s history. TNT averaged 4.13 million viewers for its two-game slate Sunday night (Heat vs. Cavaliers, Warriors vs. Rockets, up 23% from last year).

The league’s regular-season viewership numbers finished down 2% after double-digit declines through the first two months. ABC ended the season with 10% growth, but cable channels drove the dip with ESPN-exclusive games down 7% and TNT games down 8%. On top of dwindling cable subscribers, cable channels do not have exclusive broadcasting rights in local markets.

The NBA will add NBC and Amazon as television partners next year—losing TNT in the process—as the league’s new, 11-year, $77 billion media-rights deal kicks in. 

No Flex

The most exciting series so far has been the Western Conference matchup between the Clippers and Nuggets. It was the only Game 1 decided by fewer than 10 points, and through two games, the teams are separated by just one point.

However, Game 3 of the series is currently scheduled to air at 10 p.m. ET on NBA TV, which caused several pundits to suggest that the NBA should consider flexing Game 3 of the series Thursday to TNT in favor of Game 3 of the Thunder vs. Grizzlies series scheduled on TNT. 

A source told Front Office Sports that the league has no intention of adjusting its schedule.

Game 1 of Memphis vs. OKC, a 51-point blowout, drew 4.45 million viewers Sunday on ABC (the least watched of ABC’s three-game slate). The Clippers vs. Nuggets averaged 3.64 million Saturday on ESPN.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Chad Ochocinco

Shannon Sharpe, Chad Ochocinco Settle $20 Million Defamation Suit 

It’s the second multimillion-dollar lawsuit Sharpe has settled in recent weeks.

More Dildo Throwing During WNBA Games Leads to Second Arrest

The 18-year-old threw a dildo that hit another fan and his young niece.
May 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8), and forward Jayson Tatum (0) and New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) during game three of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.

Celtics Sale Set to Close in Next Two Weeks

The $6.1B deal has taken longer to close than other recent franchise sales.

Smelling Salts Not Banned in the NFL, but Teams Can’t Hand Them..

Teams are banned from supplying smelling salts to their players.

Featured Today

Dec 14, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; President Donald Trump wave during the second quarter of the game between the Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights at Lincoln Financial Field

‘Political Gold’: Trump Putting His Stamp on College Sports 

Trump has embraced executive action on hot-button college sports issues.
August 3, 2025

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.
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

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
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.