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NBA Regular Season Viewership Hits 24-Year High At 170M U.S. Viewers
April 15, 2026
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The NBA drew 170 million U.S. viewers during the 2025-26 regular season across its four primary broadcast platforms, which is its strongest viewership figures in 24 years and an 86 percent increase over the prior season. The numbers mark Year 1 of the league's 11-year, 76 billion-plus media rights agreement signed in 2024, which added Amazon Prime Video and restored NBC/Peacock to the broadcast lineup alongside returning partners ABC/ESPN and NBA TV.
Average viewership across all four platforms reached its highest point in 13 years, climbing 35 percent over last season. A total of 57 telecasts drew average audiences of at least 2 million viewers, the most since 2011-12. Fans logged more than 920 million total viewing hours, up 25 year-over-year and also the best figure since 2011-12. The All-Star Game on NBC averaged 8.8 million viewers, the largest midseason showcase audience in 15 years. NBA Cup group stage games posted a 90 percent viewership gain. Off the court, the league's social media platforms generated a record 228 billion views according to Videocites, a 13 rise over last season. Arena attendance over the past three seasons has surpassed any comparable three-year span in league history, the NBA added.
RealGM Basketball Wiretap
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