Tag: NBA Finals

"ESPN and ESPN on ABC each rose 11%, while ESPN2 climbed 3%."

"Ernie Johnson returns as host alongside Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kenny Smith. The 25 dates mark a jump from the 20 regular season windows ESPN announced last season."

"The 2025-26 NBA Regular Season on ABC and ESPN averaged 1.9 million viewers through 80 telecasts, up 11% from the year before and the network's best mark since 2018-19."

"There’s a culmination here of something that has been going on for a long time, so it’s super exciting. And it’s great to have had all this access to your team, and we’re gonna probably be shooting a little bit more during next season."

"One of DeAugustino’s strengths as an interviewer is knowing when not to talk. She actually listens to what a guest is saying, reacts visually, and then follows up based on the previous answer. It might sound simple, but when done well, it is sports media high art."

"The 2026 NBA Finals averaged 20.6 million viewers across five games, setting an ABC and ESPN audience record. ABC and ESPN also scored the most-watched NBA Finals since 1998 (average 29 million)."

"For years, ESPN has been criticized for what it wasn't doing. Not enough promotion. Not enough storytelling. Not enough attention paid to certain properties. Fair or unfair, those critiques have followed the network through multiple eras. But right now, those conversations feel very distant."

It's a story that has far exceeded the bounds of a great sports moment.

"This series has delivered classic battles and memorable moments. Viewers are better off with Legler behind the microphone helping bring them to life. He is at the top of his game, bringing the excitement to viewers one play after another."

"Game 3 averaged 23.8 million viewers on ABC and ESPN, a 159% jump from last year's Game 3. The audience peaked at 26.3 million viewers at 11:15 p.m. ET."