• Loading stock data...
Thursday, March 26, 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

    Jun 1, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; Whipsnakes LC Attack Ben Reeves (2) controls the ball while Chaos LC Midfielder Deemer Class (10) defends during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
    by

    ESPN’s Burke Magnus Has Been a ‘Steward’ for Lacrosse: Paul Rabil
    Magnus played a key role in bringing the PLL to ESPN.
    by

    TGL Season 2 Wraps As Media Rights Talks, Expansion Plans Loom
    Los Angeles Golf Club won the SoFi Cup on Tuesday night.
    Mar 22, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes forward Cam Manyawu (3) shoots past Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
    by

    March Madness Draws Record Viewership Through Two Rounds
    Games across CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV have averaged 10.1 million viewers.
    Mar 23, 2026; Mesa, Arizona, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) fields the ball against the Chicago Cubs in the third inning at Sloan Park.
    by

    MLB Media Strategy Goes National—and Fans Might Get Confused
    The league looks to nationalize its media profile more.

    Featured Today

    Maxime Vachier Lagrave
    by

    The Planet’s Best Chess Players Are Having Their LIV Golf Moment
    Chess’s most prestigious tournament is battling a splashy Saudi event.
    Beau Brune/LSU
    March 22, 2026

    College Athletic Departments Are Becoming Media Companies
    “There’s only so many tickets you can sell, but content is infinite.”
    March 18, 2026

    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.

    More in Media
    Michele Steele
    exclusive
    by

    Ex-ESPN Reporter Michele Steele Joining Big Ten Network
    Steele spent 14 years at ESPN before her departure last summer.
    Elle Duncan
    opinion
    March 26, 2026

    Elle Duncan Shines During Disastrous Netflix MLB Debut
    The ex-ESPN star was the rare bright spot during Netflix’s problem-filled presentation.
    Jan 18, 2026; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) holds a game ball as he is interviewed by NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark after a NFC Divisional Round game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
    March 26, 2026

    Most TV-Ready Quarterbacks Will Still Have NFL Careers in 2026
    Many NFL QBs with TV futures aren’t ready for retirement.
    Sponsored

    Cameron Boozer & Cayden Boozer Talk Pressure, Benefit of Playing Together
    The Boozer twins have built their games, and their identities, side by side.
    Mar 25, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers (16) looks on after hitting a pop fly against the the New York Yankees in the sixth inning at Oracle Park.
    March 26, 2026

    Too Many Promos, Tiny Score Bug: MLB Fans Gripe About Netflix
    The game production drew widespread complaints.
    March 26, 2026

    Max Verstappen Ejects Reporter From Press Conference: ‘Get Out’
    Verstappen sits at No. 8 in the drivers’ championship.
    Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC tees off during match against Los Angeles Golf Club during the TGL finals at SoFi Center on March 24, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
    March 26, 2026

    Will Tiger Woods Comeback Drive Up TGL Rights Fees?
    Woods’s comeback could prove pivotal in TGL’s upcoming negotiations.
    Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) shoots against the Phoenix Mercury during the second half of game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
    March 25, 2026

    CBS to Air 20 WNBA Games on Broadcast TV in 2026
    The league will have a strong presence on network TV in 2026.