• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 9, 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

    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.
    Dan Orlovsky's son, Madden, appears on NFL Live
    by

    Dan Orlovsky Opens Up on Autistic Son’s ‘NFL Live’ Appearance
    The 14-year-old wants to be an artist for the Walt Disney Co.

    Featured Today
    by

    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.
    April 1, 2026

    ‘The Sonics Never Died’: The Long Afterlife of Seattle NBA Merch
    Inside “the largest team shop for a team that doesn’t exist.” 

    More in Media
    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
    by

    Sue Bird Expected to Join NBC/Peacock WNBA Coverage
    Bird previously hosted Final Four alt-casts for ESPN with Diana Taurasi.
    Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
    April 7, 2026

    Mike Vrabel: Photos With Dianna Russini Are ‘Completely Innocent’
    A social media post with the photos attracted two million views.
    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.
    Sponsored

    From Gold Medalist to Business Founder
    Allyson Felix on investing in women’s sports and what comes next for track & LA28.
    Inductees in the 2021 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame attend a press conference Thursday afternoon Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum. Tim Brando
    exclusive
    April 7, 2026

    Tim Brando Agrees to Multi-Year Extension With Fox Sports
    The Hall of Fame broadcaster has been with Fox since 2014.
    Apr 8, 2025; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Matt Fitzpatrick skips his ball on the 16th hole during a practice round for the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
    April 6, 2026

    Why the Masters’ 16th Hole Is Must-See TV
    The par-3 lays claim to some of golf’s most famous shots.
    Taylor Zarzour
    April 3, 2026

    3 Questions With the New Radio Voice of the Masters
    Taylor Zarzour is filling in for Mike Tirico on SiriusXM this year.
    Oct 4, 2025; Spokane, WA, USA; ESPN college basketball analyst Sean Farnham emcees during Numerica Kraziness in the Kennel at the McCarthey Athletic Center
    April 3, 2026

    ESPN Making Wooden Award Ceremony More Like Heisman
    This year’s award winner will be revealed live in Los Angeles.