NBA ratings are still on the rise, but the league stumbled out of the All-Star break.
Since the break, seven of the 11 games that can be compared to last year have declined, including five this week.
On Thursday, Sixers-Cavaliers scored a 1.3 rating and 2.0 million viewers on the NBA on TNT — down 24% in ratings and 26% in viewership from last year (Warriors-Bulls: 1.7, 2.7M) but up 18% and 24% respectively from 2016 (Spurs-Pelicans: 1.1, 1.6M).
The T’Wolves-Blazers nightcap drew a 0.9 (-25%) and 1.3 million (-28%).
The previous night, ESPN had a 1.3 and 2.0 million for Warriors-Wizards — down 7% in ratings and 10% in viewership from last year (Celtics-Cavs: 1.4, 2.2M) but up 44% and 49% respectively from 2016 (Pistons-Spurs: 0.9, 1.35M). Rockets-Clippers had a 0.9 (-10%) and 1.35 million (-13%) later in the night.
On Tuesday, TNT scored a 0.55 (-31%) and 798,000 (-34%) for Clippers-Nuggets. The early Wizards-Bucks game bucked the downward trend with a 0.7 and 1.1 million (+1%).
Despite the slow week, NBA viewership remains up double-digits for the full season. Games have averaged just under 2.0 million viewers across ABC, ESPN and TNT, up 10% from last year (1.82M).
This year’s ESPN figures include streaming viewership on television; all other figures are TV-only.
