• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
    More
    Media

    NBA Viewership Increases By 19%, Largest Audience Since 2018-19

    • Viewership across ABC, ESPN, and TNT increased by 19% from the 2020-21 season.
    • The 1.6 million average viewers is the league’s highest since 2018-19.
    By
    Apr 12, 2022 | 03:17 pm
    UPDATED Feb 11, 2023 | 01:35 am
    NBA
    Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    The NBA has plenty to celebrate in its 75th season.

    According to the league, viewership across ABC, ESPN, and TNT increased by 19% from the 2020-21 season. The 1.6 million viewers are the league’s highest average since 2018-19.

    The league boasts other significant numbers in other media resources.

    • NBA League Pass subscribers increased by 30% from last season.
    • Social media platforms garnered 13 billion video plays — a 7% increase from 2020-21.
    • Rating should jump during the play-in tournament (Apr. 12-15).
    • Last year, the Lakers-Warriors play-in generated the most viewers (5.6M) for an ESPN telecast since the 2019 Western Conference Finals.

    Of course, several factors in the upswing are related to the pandemic.

    Arenas were back to 100% capacity, and the league had its first 82-game schedule since the 2018-19 season.

    With the play-in beginning on Tuesday night and the playoffs on Saturday, expect those numbers to skyrocket even more.

    Linkedin
    Whatsapp
    Copy Link
    Link Copied
    Link Copied

    What to Read
    by

    ESPN, CFP Push Expansion Deadline Back Nearly Two Months
    The Dec. 1 decision deadline is moving to Jan. 23.
    by

    ESPN Betting Czar: Why We Pivoted From Penn to DraftKings
    DraftKings “has similar ways of operating as ESPN” says ESPN’s betting VP.
    Nov 23, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA;Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) is sacked by Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) and defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium.
    by

    Raiders Cut Losses by Firing Chip Kelly, Highest-Paid NFL OC
    The Raiders had lured Kelly away from Ohio State with a $6 million salary.
    Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tez Johnson (15) poses for a television camera after scoring a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium.
    by

    Fubo-NBCUniversal Is Latest Carriage Dispute to Hit Subscribers
    NBCUniversal channels are now gone from the streaming-based service.

    Featured Today
    by

    How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe
    For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.
    Nov 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium.
    November 24, 2025

    Stafford, Rams Rise From the Pack to Super Bowl Contention
    The NFL team now has the top odds to win Super Bowl LX.
    Nov 16, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; NJ/NY Gotham FC celebrate after scoring during extra time against Orlando Pride at Inter&Co Stadium
    November 22, 2025

    The NWSL Is Growing at Breakneck Pace. Can It Keep Surging?
    While the league surges, it also must survive two major challenges.
    Trinity Rodman
    November 20, 2025

    NWSL Regular-Season Ratings See Big Surge, Playoffs Up 5%
    Regular-season viewership grew by over 20%, averaging more than 200,000.

    More in Media
    Nov 21, 2021; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) scores against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
    by

    Chiefs vs. Cowboys Could Draw Record 50M-Plus Viewers
    One exec describes Thanksgiving showdown as a “perfect storm” for TV ratings.
    November 23, 2025

    Penalties in Vegas Reignite F1 Title Fight—and ESPN’s Final Stretch
    There are two races and a sprint race remaining in the calendar.
    Nov 22, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period at Amerant Bank Arena.
    November 24, 2025

    Sinclair Makes Bid for Rival TV Station Owner Scripps
    The local media giant details its desire for greater scale.
    Sponsored

    NFL QB Christian Ponder Is Preparing Athletes for Business
    Former NFL quarterback Christian Ponder discusses the transition from field to boardroom.
    Draymond Green
    November 21, 2025

    NBA Ratings Up 30% Through First Month Despite Star Injury Woes
    The NBA added NBC and Amazon as new media partners this season.
    WORCESTER - WWE star Zelina Vega makes her return alongside NXT stars Legado del Fantasma during "WWE Friday Night SmackDown" at the DCU Center, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022.
    November 21, 2025

    The CW Says Nielsen WWE Ratings Drop ‘Lacks Credibility’
    The CW says the new measurement process creates “inexplicable” findings.
    Joey Votto
    November 21, 2025

    Joey Votto Could Be MLB Media’s Hottest Prospect: ‘No-Brainer’
    NBC and Netflix are now in the mix for MLB talent.
    Jul 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; FC Bayern Munich forward Harry Kane (9) and defender Jonathan Tah (4) react a quarterfinal match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Paris Saint-Germain at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
    November 21, 2025

    Paramount Is Gunning for ESPN’s Live Sports Crown
    Paramount won the media rights to show the UEFA Champions League in the U.K.