NBA Viewership Surges 86% to 170 Million Viewers This Season
The NBA says 170 million Americans watched games during the regular season across its four main TV networks. That's an 86% jump from last season, marking the biggest viewership increase in years.
The NBA announced that 170 million people in the U.S. watched games during the regular season across ESPN, NBC, Peacock, and Prime Video. The 86% increase from last season represents a massive turnaround for a league that had struggled with declining ratings in recent years.
Early season numbers were even stronger, with the league reporting a 92% year-over-year increase in viewership during the first two weeks. Those numbers hit the highest levels since 2013, suggesting sustained fan interest rather than a temporary spike.
The NBA credits part of the success to its new "Tap to Watch" feature, which makes games easier to find and stream. The league's new TV deals with multiple networks also put more games on broadcast television instead of cable, reaching wider audiences.
The NBA Cup, the league's in-season tournament, also saw record viewership. Group stage games averaged 1.5 million viewers across all platforms, making it the most-watched group stage since the tournament began three years ago.
The surge comes as other major sports leagues face mixed viewership results, showing the NBA's strategy of expanding digital access and creating new viewing experiences is paying off.
Rising NBA viewership means the league is successfully competing for attention in a crowded entertainment market. Higher ratings help justify the billions networks pay for games, which keeps ticket prices stable and attracts top talent.
Watch for playoff viewership numbers in spring 2025 to see if the regular season gains carry over to the league's biggest games.
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