Considering the poor performance of the league’s highest-profile teams, the NBA can breathe a sigh of relief that regular season viewership was only the lowest in four years.
All three NBA TV partners had declines for regular season coverage this season. ABC averaged a 2.3 rating and 3.6 million viewers for its 15 games, down 21% in ratings and 23% in viewership from last year (2.9, 4.7M), and down 30% and 33%, respectively, from its record-setting 2011-12 season (3.3, 5.4M).
This season ranks as the lowest rated (tie) and least-viewed on ABC since 2007-08 (2.2, 3.2M). Keep in mind nine of ABC’s fifteen regular season telecasts featured lottery teams (the Lakers and Knicks).
The declines were far less pronounced on cable. ESPN averaged a 1.1 and 1.7 million for its 75-game schedule, down a tick in ratings and 5% in viewership from last year (1.2, 1.8M), down 15% and 10%, respectively, from 2011-12 (1.3, 1.9M), and its least-viewed season since 2009-10 (1.6M). Despite the four-year low, this season ranks as the fifth-most viewed since ESPN resumed NBA coverage in 2002-03.
TNT’s Thursday night games held steady compared to last year, averaging 2.0 million viewers. The network’s complete 52-game slate, including Monday and Tuesday night games, averaged 1.9 million — down from 2.0 million last year and 2.5 million in 2011-12, and its least-viewed season since 2009-10 (1.7M).
The fading fortunes of the Lakers, Celtics and Knicks no doubt affected the numbers. TNT’s games declined by 42% in Boston this season, 19% in New York and 13% in Los Angeles.
Despite the poor records of big market teams and injuries to numerous stars, the 2013-14 season was basically on par with 2008-09 and 2009-10 — a transition period for the league between the mid-2000s doldrums and its Decision-fueled resurgence. At the time, those two seasons were among the strongest the NBA had experienced since its cable-heavy TV deal began in 2002. In other words, it was a tough season — but not necessarily a bad season — for the NBA.
(Season averages from ESPN, Turner Sports)
