NBA’s National TV Ratings Up 34 Percent Compared To 19-20

NBA viewership across TNT, ESPN and ABC through MLK Day (27 games) is up 34 percent vs. the comparable number of games during the 2019-20 season (2.0 million average viewers vs. 1.49 million average viewers), according to Nielsen Media Research.

TNT’s MLK Day tripleheader coverage – featuring the Phoenix Suns vs. Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets and Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers – averaged 1.73 million viewers, up 32% vs. the network’s comparable MLK Day coverage last season. The Warriors vs. Lakers game was up 90% vs. last year’s same telecast window. Viewership on NBA League Pass, the league’s live game subscription package, on MLK Day was up 46% vs. last year.

Through MLK Day, NBA League Pass has delivered improved regular season viewership with average minutes watched increasing 18% vs. the comparable number of games during the 2019-20 season on the platform. The NBA’s social media platforms have generated record engagement season-to-date, with a 201 percent increase in minutes watched vs. last year.

The league started the 20-21 season approximately two months later this year.