Sites have concluded that the NBA Cup had already lost interest for its second edition, since the matches in the group stages recorded a 10% drop in audience compared to last year, on ESPN and TNT.
Except that looking at the figures, we realize that it is generally the entire start of the season which records a drop in audience (-28% compared to last season) and that the group matches of the NBA Cup , with 1.33 million viewers, compared to 1.49 million last year, are those which best limit the decline…
For sector specialists, the league has also been rather successful in highlighting its mid-season tournament, with an increase in audiences (+6%) at the local level. This is a good sign as we are talking about the most invested fans, and an increase in different markets means that the NBA has succeeded in generating general interest.
Moreover, the first quarter-finals (Bucks – Magic and Thunder – Mavericks) recorded a 47% audience rebound (1.32 million viewers) compared to those of last year.
Overall, at the start of the season marked by strong competition in terms of current affairs (the “World Series” between the Yankees and the Dodgers, the American presidential election, the Jake Paul – Mike Tyson fight, etc.), the high-stakes matches of the NBA Cup have therefore rather been a factor of resistance, and optimism, for the NBA.
