On the heels of play-in games which have already been well attended, the first weekend of the playoffs was very good for the NBA. In terms of audience, viewers had not been so numerous since 2011 with an average of 4.15 million viewers between ESPN, ABC and TNT. This is 3% more than last season.
The first primetime game of the 2023 campaign between Philadelphia and Brooklyn was the most-watched since 2018 with 3.91 million viewers. TNT also posted its best audiences since 2017 for the broadcast of its first “triple header”.
ESPN and ABC also had their best averages since 2011 over their first five games with 4.28 million viewers on average over these matches!
The most watched Kings-Warriors series
The most followed series so far is that between the Kings, who are making their return to the playoffs after a 17-year absence, and the Warriors, reigning NBA champions. Viewers were indeed there for Game 1 since they were 6.26 million, with a peak of 7.56 million during the evening.
Monday evening for Game 2, the Kings – Warriors was again the most watched game with 4.32 million viewers. That’s 34% more than Game 2 between the Nuggets and Warriors last season.
We can also mention the return of the Lakers to boost audience figures with in particular a peak recorded at 7.49 million during Game 1 won on the Memphis floor. A good omen for the future!
