The NBA has reported a significant increase in viewership for national games aired on NBC/Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and ESPN, with over 60 million viewers tuning in during the first month of the regular season. This figure marks the highest opening total in 15 years, excluding the 2011-12 season, which began on Christmas Day—a peak viewing date for the league.
This surge in viewership coincides with the commencement of an 11-year broadcasting deal valued at $76 billion, highlighting the league's strong market presence. Additionally, NBA content has generated over 30 billion views across various social media platforms, setting a record for this stage in the season. Merchandise sales on NBAStore.com have also seen a notable rise, increasing by more than 20%. This growth is attributed to several emerging stars in the league, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama, who are drawing attention and engagement.
Subscriptions to NBA League Pass have risen by 10%, accompanied by an 8% increase in viewing time on the platform. In-arena attendance remains robust, matching last season's figures, which was the second-best in the league's history, with an average capacity of about 97%. Ten teams have sold out all their home games thus far, including well-known franchises like the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors. Other teams, such as Atlanta and Charlotte, are experiencing attendance boosts of nearly 10% compared to the previous year.
Overall, these metrics suggest a positive trend for the NBA as it navigates through the early stages of the current season.