2023 NBA Playoffs generate most-watched first round in 9 years

The 2023 NBA Playoffs are off to afantastic start, and many people are tuning in.

The NBA delivered its most-watchedfirst round in nine years, with games across ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBATV averaging 3.4 million viewers (which is up 15% vs. lastyear).

TNT delivered its most-watched firstround in five years, averaging 3.5 million viewers (up 6% vs. lastyear). For Disney platforms (ABC and ESPN), it was the most-watchedfirst round ever, with an average of 4.5 million viewers (markingan 18% increase from last season).

TNT, ABC and ESPN were themost-watched networks in primetime among viewers under 50 years oldon 13 of the 14 nights of first-round coverage.

The outstanding seven-game seriesbetween the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings led the wayratings wise.

As we previously reported, Game 4between the Kings and Warriors drew the largest audience for afirst-round NBA playoff game across any network over the last 21years, averaging 7,523,000 viewers and peaking with 10,406,000viewers.

Unsurprisingly, Game 7 between theWarriors and Kings on ABC topped those numbers, averaging 9.8million viewers and peaking at 11.9 million viewers. It became theNBA's most-watched first-round game in 24 years, and it was ABC’slargest audience for a non-Finals postseason gameever.

Meanwhile, the NBA's app and socialsgenerated a record 2.6 billion video views during the first round,up 46% vs. 2022. The NBA app recorded its most active users ever ina single day on April 30.