NBA TV ratings down double-digits from last season as playoffs begin

NBA TV ratings down double-digits from last season as playoffs begin

With the 2020-21 regular season over, the NBA TV ratings will be critical as the league hopes for a strong post-season to propel viewership on television.

Ratings during NBA Playoffs will be telling

NBA TV ratings
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Now that the NBA regular season has concluded, we’re going to see each of North America’s largest media markets boast two teams in the playoff field. For the first time since 2013, the New York Knicks will be playing postseason basketball. They join the NBA title favorites in that of the Brooklyn Nets playing in the continent’s largest media market.

This could very well be telling given just how bad NBA TV ratings were for the 2020 playoffs in the Orlando Bubble. It will also be interesting to see how the Western Conference play-in game between LeBron James and the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and Stephen Curry’s Golden State Warriors does.

All of this could have an impact on the NBA’s next television contract. The Association is earning a combined $24 billion over its current nine-year pact. It is seeking $75 billion in its next deals. After TV ratings for last season’s playoffs were down 37% from 2018-19, the NBA is hoping for increased viewership.

Political activism continuing to impact NBA TV ratings with some signs of change

NBA shutdown
Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

A poll conducted by Yahoo News/YouGov back in March showed that 34.5% of respondents have watched less sports as leagues around the community continue with their social justice campaigns.

“Looking at the different political party affiliations, 19 percent of Democrats said they have watched less sports in light of social justice messaging, while 13.7 percent said they have watched more,” Newsweek noted. “In comparison, 53 percent of Republicans said they have watched less sports due to social justice messaging, and just 8.6 percent said they have watched more.”

To a lesser extent than last season, the 2020-21 NBA campaign has been politically-themed. The likes of LeBron James continue to make their opinions known. But as some of the rhetoric dies down following a 2020 calendar year defined by politics, we’re also seeing a downtick in divisiveness when it comes to the NBA.

“At the start of the 2020-2021 NBA season, Nielsen Media Research data showed that NBA viewership for nationally televised games on TNT, ABC and ESPN was up 34 percent compared to the same 27-game period from last season,” Newsweek noted.

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Author: Vincent Frank

NBA News Sportsnaut