NBA on television
Games not televised by its national partners are instead broadcast by local broadcast stations and regional sports networks, televising their respective local team within their respective region. A number of nationally televised games are also non-exclusive, meaning that the national telecasts may also air in tandem with those of the game by local broadcasters.
With the Toronto Raptors being the only NBA team in Canada, TV rights differ in that country. Games exclusively televised south of the border by ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV may be simulcast by a Canadian network, but all contests involving the Raptors are non-exclusive north of the border.
In addition to the English-language television broadcasts, select NBA games also have Spanish-language broadcasts since 2002.[2][3]
History
As one of the major sports leagues in North America, the
ABC gained the NBA in 1964, the network aired its first NBA game on January 3, 1965, but lost the broadcast rights to CBS after the 1972–73 season with the initial tenure ending on May 10, 1973. Up until the 1970-71 season, ABC often aired NBA games as segments of its popular ABC's Wide World of Sports anthology series rather than standalone broadcasts.
As the national broadcaster of the NBA, CBS aired NBA games from the 1973-74 until the 1989–90 season, during which the late 1970s and early 1980s was notoriously known as the "tape delay playoff era." Ratings sagged in the late Seventies with a series of fairly undistinguished championship teams from relatively small markets, widespread public perceptions of drug usage among players, and a relative lack of marquee players. Even a merger with the
NBA entered the
Regular season
Season | Network | Rating |
---|---|---|
2023–24 | ABC | 1.4 |
2022–23 | ABC | 1.4 |
2021–22 | ABC | 1.6 |
2020–21 | ABC | 1.5 |
2019–20 | ABC | 1.8 |
2018–19 | ABC | 2.2 |
2017–18 | ABC | 2.2 |
2016–17 | ABC | 1.9 |
2015–16 | ABC | 2.3 |
2014–15 | ABC | 2.2 |
2013–14 | ABC | 2.3 |
2012–13 | ABC | 2.9 |
2011–12 (Lockout Shortened) | ABC | 3.3 |
2010–11 | ABC | 3.2 |
2009–10 | ABC | 2.3 |
2008–09 | ABC | 2.3 |
2007–08 | ABC | 2.2 |
2006–07 | ABC | 2.0 |
2005–06 | ABC | 2.2 |
2004–05 | ABC | 2.3 |
2003–04 | ABC | 2.4 |
2002–03 | ABC | 2.6 |
2001–02 | NBC | 2.9 |
2000–01 | NBC | 3.0 |
1999–2000 | NBC | 3.3 |
1998–99 (lockout shortened) | NBC | 4.3 |
1997–98 | NBC | 5.5 |
1996–97 | NBC | 4.9 |
1995–96 | NBC | 5.3 |
1994–95 | NBC | 5.2 |
1993–94 | NBC | 4.6 |
1992–93 | NBC | 5.0 |
1991–92 | NBC | 4.8 |
1990–91 | NBC | 4.7 |
1989–90 | CBS | 5.2 |
Season | ABC | TNT | ESPN | NBA TV |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017–18 | 3.82M | 1.74M | 1.63M | 0.31M |
2016–17 | 3.27M | 1.54M | 1.57M | 0.31M |
2015–16 | 3.93M | 1.68M | 1.65M | 0.35M |
2014–15 | 3.59M | 1.67M | 1.50M | 0.29M |
2013–14 | 3.58M | 1.90M | 1.68M | 0.32M |
2012–13 | 4.70M | 2.00M | 1.77M | 0.34M |
2011–12 (lockout shortened) | 5.42M | 2.50M | 1.86M | 0.34M |
2010–11 | 5.11M | 2.40M | 1.99M | 0.25M |
2009–10 | 3.69M | 1.72M | 1.56M | --- |
2008–09 | 3.68M | 1.71M | 1.68M | --- |
2007–08 | 3.18M | 1.47M | 1.47M | --- |
NBA playoffs
Since 2003, coverage of the NBA playoffs have aired nationally across ABC, ESPN, TNT, and NBA TV. During the first two rounds, games are split between the networks regardless of conference, with TNT primarily airing weeknight games on Mondays through Wednesdays, and ESPN generally on Fridays. For Thursday games, TNT has them in the first round and ESPN in the second round. NBA TV also televises selected first round games on Mondays through Thursdays. Saturday and Sunday coverage of the first two rounds have then been typically split between ABC, ESPN, and TNT, with specific time slots and exceptions varying throughout the years since 2003.
The
Year | Network | Game | Rating | Viewership |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016
|
TNT | Oklahoma City Thunder vs Golden State Warriors WCF Game 7 | 8.9 | 16.00M |
2012
|
ESPN | Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat ECF Game 7 | 7.7 | 13.35M |
2013
|
TNT | Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat ECF Game 7 | 7.1 | 11.57M |
2011
|
TNT | Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls ECF Game 1 | 6.2 | 11.11M |
2012
|
ESPN | Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics ECF Game 6 | 6.8 | 11.07M |
2012
|
ESPN | Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics ECF Game 4 | 6.8 | 11.07M |
2011
|
TNT | Chicago Bulls vs Miami Heat ECF Game 3 | 6.4 | 10.89M |
2016
|
TNT | Golden State Warriors vs Oklahoma City Thunder WCF Game 6 | 6.2 | 10.81M |
2011
|
TNT | Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls ECF Game 5 | 6.4 | 10.41M |
2012
|
ESPN | Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat ECF Game 5 | 6.3 | 10.25M |
NBA Finals
The NBA Finals has exclusively aired on ABC since 2003.
Year | Game | Rating/Share | Viewership |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors Game 7 | 15.8/29 | 31.02M |
2010 | Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers Game 7 | 15.6/27 | 28.20M |
2013 | San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat Game 7 | 15.3/26 | 26.32M |
2017 | Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors Game 5 | 13.5/25 | 24.47M |
2011 | Dallas Mavericks vs Miami Heat Game 6 | 13.3/23 | 23.88M |
2015 | Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 6 | 13.4/24 | 23.25M |
2004 | Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons Game 5 | 13.8/23 | 21.84M |
2015 | Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors Game 5 | 11.8/21 | 20.86M |
2016 | Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Game 6 | 11.8/22 | 20.70M |
2013 | San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat Game 6 | 12.3/21 | 20.64M |
Single games
NBA on Christmas Day
Games on Christmas Day have drawn some of the biggest regular season audience. Since 2001, the most watched Christmas games were:
2004 Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers on ABC averaged a 7.3 rating and 13.18 million viewers.
2010 Miami Heat vs Los Angeles Lakers on ABC averaged a 6.4 rating and 13.11 million viewers.
2015 Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors on ABC averaged a 5.7 rating and 11.12 million viewers.
Year | Network | Games | Rating | Viewership |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | ABC, ESPN | 5 | 5.67M | |
2018 | ABC, ESPN | 5 | 5.81M | |
2017 | ABC, ESPN, TNT | 5 | 2.6 | 5.10M |
2016 | ABC, ESPN | 5 | 2.3 | 4.56M |
2015 | ABC, ESPN | 5 | 3.0 | 5.55M |
2014 | ABC, ESPN, TNT | 5 | 2.8 | 5.22M |
2013 | ABC, ESPN | 5 | 2.5 | 4.46M |
2012 | ABC, ESPN | 5 | 3.1 | 5.50M |
2011 (lockout shortened) | TNT, ABC, ESPN | 5 | 4.0 | 6.50M |
2010 | ABC, ESPN | 5 | 3.2 | 6.00M |
2009 | ABC, ESPN | 5 | 2.4 | 4.17M |
2008 | ABC, ESPN, TNT | 5 | 2.5 | 4.43M |
2007 | ABC, ESPN | 3 | 2.6 | 4.29M |
2006 | ABC | 1 | 3.5 | 5.47M |
2005 | ABC | 2 | 4.4 | 7.12M |
2004 | ABC, ESPN | 2 | 5.2 | 8.92M |
2003 | ABC, ESPN | 3 | 3.0 | 4.96M |
2002 | ABC, ESPN | 3 | 2.8 | 4.52M |
2001 | NBC | 2 | 3.2 | 4.99M |
NBA All-Star Game
The NBA All-Star Game was on broadcast networks until 2002, TNT began airing the All-Star Game in 2003 which featured the last appearance of Michael Jordan in the event, TBS started simulcasting the game since 2015.
Regional and Canadian broadcasters
NBA games not televised by its national partners are instead broadcast by local broadcast stations and regional sports networks. The two networks may also simulcast ESPN, NBA TV and TNT televised games, including postseason contests. But all of these U.S. national feeds have been treated as non-exclusive in Canada if they involve the Raptors, inducing the 2019 NBA Finals, allowing the Raptors regional telecast to air in tandem with the U.S. national broadcast.[9][10]
Most NBA regional broadcasters are members of national chains:
Regional network | Teams(s) |
---|---|
Altitude Sports | Denver |
Bally Sports | Atlanta (10 games flexed to WPCH as of 2023-24 season), Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas, Indiana, LA Clippers, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee (10 games flexed to WMLW as of 2023-24 season), Minnesota, New Orleans (10 games flexed to WVUE as of 2023-24 season), Oklahoma City, Orlando, San Antonio |
KJZZ-TV (Smith Entertainment Group) |
Utah |
KPHE )
(Gray Television |
Phoenix |
Monumental Sports Network | Washington |
MSG | New York |
NBC Sports Regional Networks | Boston, Chicago, Golden State, Philadelphia, Sacramento |
Root Sports | Portland |
Space City Home Network | Houston |
Spectrum Sports | LA Lakers |
Sportsnet and TSN (shared rights) |
Toronto |
YES Network | Brooklyn |
See also
- NBA TV
- NBA TV Canada
- NBA TV Philippines
- NBA League Pass
- List of current National Basketball Association broadcasters
- Major League Baseball on television
- Major League Soccer on television
- National Football League on television
- National Hockey League on television
References
- ^ Sarmento, Mario R. "The NBA on Network Television: Historical Analysis".
- ^ NBA Finals 2002 to be broadcast on TV, radio, Internet - NBA, May 29, 2002
- ^ Telemundo to Air NBA en Español - R. Thomas Umstead, Multichannel, August 25, 2002
- ^ "NBC Celebrates 12 Years of NBA on NBC". NBC Sports History Page.
- ^ a b John Lombardo & John Ourand (October 13, 2014). "Fast break: NBA media rights". SportsBusiness Daily. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ Paulsen (October 6, 2014). "NBA Announces 9-Year Extension With ESPN, Turner, Through 2025". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ BBC Sports (February 10, 2015). "Premier League TV rights: Sky and BT pay £5.1bn for live games". BBC Sport. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ Deseret News (May 1, 1993). "NEW NBA-NBC DEAL IS GROUNDBREAKING". Deseret News. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ Zelkovich, Chris (June 16, 2010). "Sportsnet back in the game with Raptors". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
- ^ Dachman, Jason (June 5, 2019). "NBA Finals 2019: As Raptors Fever Takes Over Canada, MLSE Serves Up Game Coverage on Sportsnet, TSN". Sports Video Group. Retrieved June 8, 2019.