The NBA playoffs on ESPN have been a smash hit, as the network announced Tuesday that, so far, they have received record viewership for the first leg of the NBA postseason. According to a release, ESPN is generating its largest average viewership audience ever through the first 11 games broadcast on the network.
Furthermore, according to Nielsen data released through the first 11 games broadcast, ESPN platforms are averaging 4,448,000 viewers per game, which represents a 13% increase from last year.
In particular, the second weekend of games broadcast on ESPN platforms spearheaded the leap in viewership, as the weekend averaged 5,462,000 viewers for all contest broadcasts.
Notably, Sunday’s game four on ABC network between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves, which saw Minnesota take a 3-1 series lead, averaged a massive 7,345,000 viewers. This figure earned the contest the second-most watched game four of a round one matchup ever on ESPN platforms. Additionally, the broadcast of the Lakers and Timberwolves peaked at 10,274,000 viewers in the 6:30 p.m. window and was up collectively over last year’s comparable game by 32%.
This comes after a season where ESPN networks were flat from the previous year for the NBA regular season. However, games exclusive to the primary cable network were said to be down by 7%. On the other hand, NBA games on ABC, which is also owned by The Walt Disney Company, reportedly averaged 2.68 million viewers over 24 games, marking a 10% increase from the last year.
Moreover, ESPN recently divulged its best first quarter viewership—as measured by Nielsen Media Research—since 2017, attaining an average minute audience of 868,000 viewers over the 90-day stretch.
Looking ahead, starting next season, NBA games will be televised by The Walt Disney Company, Comcast Corporation, and Amazon under 11-year deals reportedly worth a collective $76 billion. These agreements will place games across broadcast and cable television, along with streaming platforms.
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