The claim that NBA ratings are down 30% since the Los Angeles Lakers are no longer in the playoffs isn’t entirely clear-cut. According to recent data, NBA games are averaging 1.4 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, and TNT, which represents a 19% decline from last year. When including NBA TV, the decline grows to 25%. However, it’s essential to note that the Lakers’ absence from the playoffs might not be the sole reason for this drop.
Some data points suggest that the NBA’s ratings decline isn’t happening in isolation. Other sports leagues are experiencing similar trends. Men’s College Basketball is down 21%, Women’s College Basketball is down 38% (partially due to last year’s surge with Caitlin Clark), the NHL is down 28%, and College Football is down a modest single-digit percentage across all networks.
In terms of playoff viewership, specific games have drawn significant audiences. For instance, the Timberwolves-Lakers Game 5 averaged 4.71 million viewers across TNT and truTV, up 48% from the previous year’s Mavericks-Clippers matchup. The Warriors-Rockets Game 5 averaged 3.48 million viewers, up 22% from Heat-Celtics the previous year. NBA TV’s final postseason games averaged 631,000 viewers, up 46% from last year and its most-watched playoffs since 2014.
The NBA’s ratings challenges are complex, influenced by various factors beyond just one team’s playoff presence. To understand the full picture, it’s crucial to consider broader trends in sports viewership.
