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NBA’s Return to NBC Draws 5.6 Million, Best Opening Night Since 2010

The cross-platform total reflects a move to broadcast plus streaming under a new rights deal with updated Nielsen measurement.

Overview

  • The ThunderRockets opener averaged about 5.85–5.9 million viewers and peaked near 7.1 million during double overtime, the first opening-night 2OT game since 2005.
  • WarriorsLakers averaged roughly 5.1 million viewers across Peacock and NBC, measured from 11:02 p.m. ET when NBC joined the game in progress through 12:42 a.m.
  • Streaming contributed about 18% of impressions, with an average-minute audience of approximately 1.0 million for NBC Sports’ largest simulstream outside the NFL and Olympics.
  • NBC won Tuesday primetime among adults 18–49, according to Nielsen data.
  • The 5.6 million average marked an 87% year-over-year lift versus last season’s TNT opener, with analysts noting Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel and Adobe streaming figures as context rather than the sole driver.