Why are NBA TV ratings down so much?

[chappee11]

I haven’t watched NBA in more than a decade but I thought it was more popular than ever. It turns out that the ratings have been horrible this season.

“The NBA has experienced a significant drop in audience to start the season, reports Puck News. ESPN viewership is down more than 27 percent and TNT is down 16 percent.”

ESPN ratings are apparently an all-time low for NBA on that network. Any idea why this is happening?

 

[chappee11]

I know the playoffs are like 3 months long now. Have they cheapened the regular season to the point where nobody needs to watch the early part of it?

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

https://athlonsports.com/nba/adam-silver-knows-why-nba-ratings-have-struggled-this-season

 

[Pastafazul]

Crickets

 

[logic]

Do these ratings only cover broadcast and cable? There are so many options now that this may not be an accurate representation. Plus ESPN and TNT only show about 6 teams ever where with League Pass you can watch who you want. Lastly, there are several streaming sites that you can access any game that you want. The stats that you are citing are a poor representation of the fan base. Clearly, the advertisers still think it is worth it.

 

[Wamu]

Crickets

Is that what your empty head sounds like?

 

[Wamu]

Do these ratings only cover broadcast and cable? -->There are so many options now that this may not be an accurate representation.<-- Plus ESPN and TNT only show about 6 teams ever where with League Pass you can watch who you want. Lastly, there are several streaming sites that you can access any game that you want. The stats that you are citing are a poor representation of the fan base. Clearly, the advertisers still think it is worth it.

That's what I'm wondering as well.

And you mentioned league pass. It's great. This is my 4th season.

 

[Wamu]

-->I haven’t watched NBA in more than a decade<-- but I thought it was more popular than ever. It turns out that the ratings have been horrible this season.

“The NBA has experienced a significant drop in audience to start the season, reports Puck News. ESPN viewership is down more than 27 percent and TNT is down 16 percent.”

ESPN ratings are apparently an all-time low for NBA on that network. Any idea why this is happening?

Do you like watching fast cars drive in circles for hours at a time?

 

[chappee11]

Do these ratings only cover broadcast and cable? There are so many options now that this may not be an accurate representation. Plus ESPN and TNT only show about 6 teams ever where with League Pass you can watch who you want. Lastly, there are several streaming sites that you can access any game that you want. The stats that you are citing are a poor representation of the fan base. Clearly, the advertisers still think it is worth it.

Good point about streaming. I am guessing that the ESPN and TNT numbers include streaming, but maybe not.

 

[trojanfan12]

The way my son has our streaming set up, I can watch any game I want and I pay nothing.

 

[Pastafazul]

I been posting for years that there would be a decline and it has come to fruition.

You are gettin special treatment from the usual suspects here

But I’m pretty sure it will heat up in here now

 

[black francis]

Because it's a shit product

 

[chappee11]

Because it's a shit product

Ever since it turned into a 3pt shooting contest/dunk-fest, yes. But I grew up watching Larry Bird so I saw was spoiled. I don’t even recognize whatever it is that the NBA has become.

 

[Pastafazul]

Anyone who can shoot a 3 can now become an NBA player

 

[Stakesarehigh]

Glad it took less than 10 posts to get to Larry Bird.

 

[Iggloo]

Personally, I stopped subscribing to NBA League Pass this year because I knew my Sixers were going to be dog shit. I was sadly correct.

But I have to say, it was a great product. Not just good, but great. You can get it with Amazon Prime for $74.99 a year which is a great deal, and you can watch on any screen. It's THE best sports league deal by far, objectively speaking. I am just tuned out because Joel Embiid demise is unwatchable pain.

 

[BigFin]

I left the NBA 10 years ago when the Warriors turned the league into a 3-pt contest. That, with the video game numbers put up nightly, and the lack of physically and post play drove me away.

 

[trojanfan12]

Ever since it turned into a 3pt shooting contest/dunk-fest, yes. But I grew up watching Larry Bird so I saw was spoiled. I don’t even recognize whatever it is that the NBA has become.

Been watching since 1970...the game has changed...that's what happens in sports.

The NFL isn't like it was back then, neither is MLB. Games change and evolve.

My question is Why would someone who *checks notes* hasn't watched in "more than a decade" give a shit?

 

[chappee11]

Been watching since 1970...the game has changed...that's what happens in sports.

The NFL isn't like it was back then, neither is MLB. Games change and evolve.

My question is Why would someone who *checks notes* hasn't watched in "more than a decade" give a shit?

The NFL has changed for the worse, too. No doubt about it.

I found the NBA to be a horrible product, so I stopped watching. The only part of the game you needed to watch was the last 2 minutes, but the last two minutes took 45 minutes to play and were completely unwatchable. I wondered if others felt the same. That’s why I inquired about the terrible ratings.

 

[chappee11]

Glad it took less than 10 posts to get to Larry Bird.

Larry Bird was actually named in post 13.