• Loading stock data...
Thursday, March 19, 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
    by

    March Madness Fuels the Push Toward More Screens, More Games
    This year, there are even more multiview options available.
    ESPN announcer Dick Vitale with analyst Charles Barkley before the Indiana-Kentucky men's college basketball game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky December 13, 2025.
    by

    How the Charles Barkley–Dick Vitale Pairing Came Together
    Barkley and Vitale called Texas’s victory over NC State.
    by

    Judge Tosses Mark Gastineau’s $25M Suit Over ESPN Documentary
    Gastineau consented to use of his name and likeness, the judge ruled.
    by

    NWSL Enters Pivotal Season With Expansion, World Cup Boost
    Commissioner Jessica Berman says the league expects to break records in 2026.

    Featured Today
    by

    AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts
    College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
    March 7, 2026

    Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis
    Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
    Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
    March 6, 2026

    The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis
    The idea came from a player podcast.
    March 5, 2026

    Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife
    DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.

    More in Media
    Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; NBC Peacock play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
    exclusive
    by

    Noah Eagle, Michael Grady, Zora Stephenson to Call WNBA on NBC
    WNBA games are returning to NBC for the first time since 2002.
    Fox News Logo
    exclusive
    March 18, 2026

    Fox Corp. and Kalshi in Advanced Talks on Deal
    The deal would include Fox News, but not Fox Sports.
    Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers former player Orel Hershiser reacts after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before game four of the 2025 MLB World Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
    exclusive
    March 19, 2026

    Hershiser, Gonzalez Join NBC MLB Opening Day Coverage
    The World Series legends will join Jason Benetti in the broadcast booth.
    Sponsored

    Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet
    Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
    Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) speaks with CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
    opinion
    March 18, 2026

    Why CBS Should Embrace NFL Renegotiations
    Despite the cost increase, a new deal could prove beneficial.
    Matt Barnes, Nick Swisher, and Eric Davis on All The Smoke.
    exclusive
    March 18, 2026

    Matt Barnes and All The Smoke Launch Baseball Podcast
    It’s the company’s latest expansion beyond basketball.
    Cameron Young makes his birdie putt on the 17th green during the final round of The Players Championship at The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Sunday March 15, 2026. Cameron Young won with a score of -13 par.
    March 17, 2026

    NBC Draws Best Players Championship Viewership in 5 Years
    Cam Young took home the $4.5 million prize at TPC Sawgrass.
    March 17, 2026

    World Baseball Classic TV Ratings Surge Ahead of Title Game
    The semifinal win by the U.S. sets another event viewership record.