ESPN NBA Opening Night Sees Record Viewership in 11 Years
By americanosports
Date: [Current Date]
Record-Breaking NBA Opening Night
According to Nielsen, ESPN experienced its most-watched NBA opening night in 11 years, marking it as the second-most watched opening night ever. The season-opening doubleheader witnessed a remarkable 80 percent increase in viewership compared to the previous year. The first two games of the season on ESPN garnered an average audience of 2,756,000 viewers, a significant surge from the 1,532,000 viewers in 2022.
Boston Celtics Triumph Draws Massive Viewership
The Boston Celtics’ victory over the New York Knicks captivated an average of 2,552,000 viewers, reaching a peak of 4,351,000 viewers at 9:45 p.m. ET. This game became the most-watched ESPN season-opening early game since 2012, exhibiting a remarkable 76 percent increase from last year’s early game featuring the New York Knicks and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Debut of Victor Wembanyama Boosts Ratings
The nightcap, featuring the debut of Victor Wembanyama, attracted an average of nearly three million viewers (2,989,000) as the Dallas Mavericks triumphed over the San Antonio Spurs. The game reached its peak with 3,903,000 viewers at 10 p.m. ET. This matchup witnessed an impressive 83 percent increase compared to last year’s comparable game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns, making it the most-watched season-opening ESPN late game since 2012. Notably, excluding Christmas Day, it stands as the most-watched regular season game involving the San Antonio Spurs or the Dallas Mavericks ever broadcasted on ESPN.
NBA on ESPN Dominates Primetime Ratings
The NBA on ESPN emerged as the most-watched primetime programming across all television networks, including both broadcast and cable, on October 25. This achievement was evident among various demographics, including people under 50, adults aged 18-34, adults aged 25-54, as well as males aged 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54.
