Overview
- Playoffs averaged about 258,000 viewers across TNT and truTV, down 9% from roughly 284,000 last year, and the Finals drew 314,000, down 14% from 364,000.
- TNT’s regular-season average was about 185,000 viewers on non-conflicting dates, a 16% drop from last season’s 221,000, per data reported by Front Office Sports.
- The league sold out major tour stops, including a record 21,490 in Philadelphia and 18,261 for the Brooklyn semifinals, with viewership rising 35% after the Philly games.
- League officials attributed weaker television numbers to clashes with the College Football Playoff, NFL playoffs and the Winter Olympics, and highlighted gains in tickets, merchandise and social engagement.
- Industry coverage notes Warner Bros. Discovery can opt out after next season and that Paramount’s planned acquisition of WBD adds uncertainty, with the league planning 4–6 additional tour stops in 2027.