Unraveling the NBA's TV Rating Dilemma and the Streaming Shift
NBA Cup Semifinals Viewership
Through the NBA Cup semifinals played on Saturday, viewership of NBA games for the league's national partners - ESPN, ABC, and TNT - was down 19 percent compared to the same period last year, as reported by Sports Media Watch. This shows a significant drop in traditional television viewership.However, Silver noted that it's part of a broader trend where cable television viewership is down double digits across various sports. Men's college basketball saw a 21 percent decline, women's college basketball had a 38 percent drop, and the NHL also experienced a 28 percent decrease.
This shift indicates a changing landscape where people are increasingly watching more programming on streaming services. As the NBA prepares for its new TV deals worth billion over 11 years starting next year, every game will be available on a streaming service. This will allow for new production possibilities and functionality that were not possible through traditional television.
The Importance of Media Consumption
Silver emphasized that the vast majority of people consume NBA games through media rather than in person. This highlights the need for the league to pay close attention to how and where their content is being consumed.With the move to streaming services, the league can explore new ways to engage with fans and provide them with a more immersive viewing experience. From different screen options to added functionality, streaming offers opportunities for innovation.
It also means that the NBA needs to adapt its production strategies to meet the expectations of viewers in the streaming era. By leveraging the capabilities of streaming platforms, the league can enhance the overall viewing experience and potentially attract more viewers.
