What happened: The NBA announced that its 2025-26 playoffs are the most-watched in 28 years, averaging 5.3 million viewers per game. The league said the figure spans five platforms: ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock and Prime Video.
Why it matters: The milestone signals renewed national interest as the league spreads coverage across broadcast and streaming partners under its new media era. Strong postseason numbers reinforce the NBA's momentum heading into the Finals.
By the numbers: Per the NBA, playoff games averaged 5.3 million viewers across ABC, ESPN, NBC, Peacock and Prime Video, the highest mark in 28 years. The Western Conference finals averaged 10.8 million viewers, which the league described as the most-watched conference finals in 24 years.
What to watch: Watch whether the NBA Finals sustain the postseason's audience gains and push the per-game average higher.