Whereas LeBron James is one-half of a long-discussed debate concerning the best of all time, there’s no query that the NBA‘s Yuletide matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors delivered — ratings– and thrill-wise. Per the league, the sport was the most-watched NBA Common Season and Christmas Day recreation in 5 years, with viewership up 84% when put next with the yr prior.
The Lakers-Warriors showdown, which noticed James and Stephen Curry go head-to-head in a nail-biting recreation ending with a slim Los Angeles victory 115-113, averaged 7.76 million viewers per recreation within the U.S. throughout ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+ (in response to Nielsen Quick Nationals), up nearly 500% from 2023. Viewers viewership peaked round 10:30 p.m. ET with 8.32 million tuning in.
The Christmas Day opener, that includes the New York Knicks’ 117-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs, averaged 4.91 million viewers, making it the most-viewed such recreation in 13 years and up 98% from final yr. All 5 of yesterday’s matchups yielded year-over-year viewership will increase, averaging 5.25 million total throughout Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics (5.16 million viewers, up 3%), Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks (4.38 million viewers, up 6%) and Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns (3.84 million viewers, up 161%). The lattermost showdown was the most-watched late window ever on Christmas Day.
In keeping with the affiliation, the day generated greater than 500 million video views throughout all NBA social media platforms — an all-time document. Distributed in 214 international locations and territories, the five-game slate additionally garnered the most-viewed Christmas Day ever on NBA League Move, the group’s subscription-based cable channel.
Main into Christmas Day, NBA viewership throughout ABC, ESPN and TNT elevated each week of December, with a median week-over-week improve of seven%. Season thus far, the NBA has generated a document 11 billion views throughout its social and digital channels. Throughout ESPN platforms, this season’s NBA viewership is up 4% versus final yr.
