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NBA Playoff Viewership Surges to Highest Early Levels Since 1993

The jump reflects more broadcast windows plus counted streaming and out-of-home audiences.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 21: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets during the first half of Game Two of the NBA Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, second from right, shoots as Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, left, forward Jabari Smith Jr., second from left, and forward Tari Eason defend during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA playoffs basketball series Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Overview

  • The NBA said the first 10 playoff games posted the strongest average viewership in 26 years across ABC/ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Prime Video.
  • NBCUniversal reported a 4.9 million combined average across Nielsen plus Adobe streaming for its six games, lifting the overall playoff average to 4.4 million for the best start through 12 games since 1993.
  • Broadcast windows drove the rebound, with NBC’s primetime doubleheaders drawing 4.6 million and 4.9 million and 64% of the first 14 games airing on broadcast TV.
  • Opening Sunday drew more than 35 million U.S. viewers in total with a 4.87 million daily average, the highest for an opening Sunday in 15 years.
  • Direct comparisons to past years are tricky because Nielsen now counts out-of-home viewing and blends panel data with smart‑TV and set‑top box data, while NBC folds Adobe-based streaming into its totals.