NBA Playoff Viewership Figures Fall Short of Media-Hyped Numbers
Let's take a dive into the crazy rollercoaster ride of NBA viewership over the past few years!
Last week, the NBA fanatics were in high spirits after they caught wind that the opening weekend of the playoffs rocketed up by 17 percent compared to the previous season. Yet, we couldn't help but pull the brakes and issue a warning: that double-digit boost was majorly driven by anticipation around Luka Doncic and the Lakers' postseason performances.
Fast forward to today and the NBA narrative hasn't been as bright and shiny. In fact, the first round averaged just a meager 4 percent increase year-over-year, totaling 3.27 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. When you consider last season's first round was already one of the NBA's weakest in recent years, that's not exactly a home run. To add another twist, Luka and the Lakers are no longer part of the game, and Steph Curry's hamstring injury could now keep him out of the rest of the season.
Put another way, the buzz that the NBA is "soaring" isn't as accurate as the media might wish for.
As it stands, the regular season wasn't looking so hot either, falling 2 percent nationally and 6 percent locally. Meanwhile, other sports such as last month's NFL draft and the Kentucky Derby set near-record highs.
It's true that the NBA has made its comeback since five years ago when it painted "Black Lives Matter" on the court and the Milwaukee Bucks skipped a playoff game to support Jacob Blake, who was shot by police while violating a restraining order in 2020. But when it comes to mass appeal, the NBA is still taking it on the chin.
One challenge lies in the lack of a clear successor to LeBron James, who turns 41 next season. Anthony Edwards has been tipped to step up, but his off-court issues and playing in Minnesota could hamper his chances. Furthermore, regular-season games simply don't grasp the attention of casual fans as much as they used to, with several stars deciding to sit out the final stretches of the season.
The product has also taken a hit due to excessive three-point shooting and a less athletic, more mechanical style of play. If you ask us, Make Dunks Cool Again!
One could argue that the league still faces a disconnect with ordinary Americans, as Colin Cowherd explained in December:
"The NBA has seen ratings plummet by 48 percent over the past 12 years and they've fallen off a cliff this year. Adam Silver's solution is to make the courts brighter. It's a bad look when a family of four goes to a game and the stars don't play, Cowherd said.
"Go ask the Democrats. Be warned, once you detach from regular people in America, you will pay a price."
So, while we witnessed one strong weekend, it doesn't change the fact that the NBA has been on a steady decline for a decade. Our website will be here to keep you informed on all the developments. Just don't forget to buckle up!
Fun Fact: According to enrichment data, the NBA's post-Michael Jordan era saw viewership drop following the global superstar's retirement in 2003. The league has faced various challenges over the years, including changing audience preferences, competition from other sports, and shifts in broadcasting models. However, the NBA continues to adapt to the changing landscape to remain relevant.
The NBA's recent improvement, as indicated by a 17 percent viewership increase during the playoffs' opening weekend, may have been overstated, considering the subsequent first round averaged only a 4 percent year-over-year increase, and this follows a trend of decreasing viewership over the past decade.
Despite the NBA's comeback since 2020 due to social justice initiatives and the absence of a clear successor to LeBron James, the league still struggles with maintaining the mass appeal it once had.
