Sunday, April 12, 2026
    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

    Apr 4, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; ESPN reporter Holly Rowe during practice for the 2026 NCAA Women's Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
    by

    Holly Rowe Talks WNBA Draft, Auriemma-Staley Dustup
    The ESPN reporter addressed a variety of women’s basketball topics.
    by

    Men’s March Madness Title Game Draws 18.3M Viewers, Up 23%
    Michigan’s title win completes an emphatic run of audience increases.
    hanson_smiling
    by

    Scott Hanson Remains NFL Employee in ESPN-NFLN Deal
    ESPN obtained the distribution rights to NFL RedZone in the deal.
    opinion
    by

    The Real James Naismith Would Cringe at TBS Final Four Stunt
    TBS’s Final Four skit with Will Forte as basketball inventor was cringeworthy.

    Featured Today

    Matthew Schaefer/Front Office Sports
    by

    Matthew Schaefer Has the Hockey World in His Thrall
    The teenage Islanders defenseman cannon-balled into the NHL.
    April 9, 2026

    College Athletes Are Ignoring NCAA Gambling Bans
    “We were going to bet regardless,” says one former D-I athlete.
    April 8, 2026

    Why Did FIFA Do a Deal With an Obscure Prediction Market?
    The product is scheduled to launch on Thursday.
    Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward David Mirkovic (0) and center Tomislav Ivisic (13) react in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center.
    April 4, 2026

    Loopholes Enable Int’l College Basketball Players to Cash In
    Schools have scrambled to find a way to compensate international players.

    More in Media
    Feb 10, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dianna Russini appears on the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors awards presentation at YouTube Theater. Mandatory Credit:
    exclusive
    by

    The Athletic Probing Dianna Russini Over Mike Vrabel Photos
    The Athletic previously released a statement defending the NFL reporter.
    Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy tees off on the eighth hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
    opinion
    April 9, 2026

    Why Prime Video Was Wise to Lay Up During Masters Debut
    Amazon’s modern broadcast still felt traditional.
    Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks on field before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
    exclusive
    April 9, 2026

    Vrabel-Russini Photos Were Shopped to Multiple Outlets
    The New York Post published the now-viral photos on Tuesday.
    Sponsored

    From Gold Medalist to Business Founder
    Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
    Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Sam Burns putts on the 15th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
    April 9, 2026

    Amazon Passes Masters Test During Debut
    Prime Video streamed two hours of coverage Thursday afternoon.
    April 9, 2026

    NFL Faces DOJ Investigation With Media-Rights Battle Heating Up
    Washington’s growing scrutiny of the league is deeply layered.
    Jul 12, 2023; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Former WNBA player Sue Bird arrives on the red carpet before the 2023 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
    exclusive
    April 8, 2026

    Sue Bird Expected to Join NBC/Peacock WNBA Coverage
    Bird previously hosted Final Four alt-casts for ESPN with Diana Taurasi.
    April 8, 2026

    Women’s Title Game Draws 9.9M Viewers, Third-Highest Since 1989
    Last year’s title game drew 8.5 million viewers.