Advanced Television

ESPN: NBA viewership up 5%

January 1, 2025

This season, NBA viewership on ESPN platforms in the US is up five per cent from the same time last year, according to Nielsen. Through 34 games, NBA games on ESPN platforms are averaging 1,959,000 viewers.

Audience gains were driven by the five games on Christmas, which was ESPN’s most-watched NBA Christmas since 2019. An average of 5,335,000 viewers watched five games, spanning 13 consecutive hours. It was essentially even with viewership from 2019 (5,337,000).

The audience for all five NBA Christmas games were up from their comparable games last Christmas. The Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Golden State Warriors in primetime averaged 7,909,000 viewers, up 511 per cent from 2023’s Philadelphia vs Miami game. The Lakers vs Warriors broadcast peaked with 8,447,000 viewers at 10:30 p.m. ET.

Christmas action began at noon with the San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks game, which averaged nearly five million viewers (4,997,000). ESPN’s coverage included its Dunk the Halls animated alt-cast, which contributed to the Spurs vs Knicks contest becoming the most-watched noon Christmas game in 13 years. It was up 101 per cent from the Knicks vs Milwaukee Bucks game in 2023.

The late-night game between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets set a Christmas record. The broadcas was the most-watched late-night game ever on Christmas. It averaged 3,898,000 viewers, up 165 per cent from the Suns vs Dallas Mavericks game in the previous season.

The Philadelphia 76ers victory over the defending NBA Champion Boston Celtics averaged 5,242,000 viewers, up five per cent from last season’s comparable game between the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers in 2023. Additionally, the Dallas Mavericks vs Minnesota Timberwolves matchup averaged 4,451,000 viewers, up eight per cent from 2023’s Golden State Warriors vs Denver Nuggets game.

For the first time, all five games were available on ESPN, ABC, Disney+ and ESPN+. The San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks Dunk the Halls animated alt-cast also aired on ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+.

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