Re: Game 2 Of NBA Finals Down 29 Percent Compared To 2024

Moderators: bwgood77, Domejandro

RealGM Wiretap
RealGM
Posts: 113,024
And1: 310
Joined: Mar 19, 2013

Game 2 Of NBA Finals Down 29 Percent Compared To 2024 

Post#1 » by RealGM Wiretap » Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:08 pm

Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals averaged 8.76 million viewers on ABC, which was down 29 percent from Game 2 in 2024. The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers by a comfortable 123-107 margin.


The game was the least watched Game 2 of the Finals, outside of the bubble in 2020, since 2007 when the San Antonio Spurs' win over the Cleveland Cavaliers drew 8.55 million despite competing against the series finale of "The Sopranos."


There was some hope of a bounce in ratings after the Pacers had an exciting comeback win over the Thunder in Game 2.


The Pacers-Thunder NBA Finals now ranks as only the second of the Nielsen people meter era (1988-present) in which neither Game 1 nor Game 2 hit the nine million mark. The Finals between the Cavaliers-Spurs in 2007 and Nets-Spurs in 2003 each hit nine million for Game 1 or 2. 


However, this year's series still outranks everything else on television.

Via Jon Lewis/SportsMediaWatch

User avatar
Knick4Real
General Manager
Posts: 9,584
And1: 10,379
Joined: Jan 20, 2005
Location: NYC
 

Re: Game 2 Of NBA Finals Down 29 Percent Compared To 2024 

Post#2 » by Knick4Real » Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:30 pm

It looks like basketball fans have let the league know what they think about small-market teams in the NBA finals. :dontknow:
Image
jk31
Rookie
Posts: 1,117
And1: 745
Joined: Feb 15, 2014
 

Re: Game 2 Of NBA Finals Down 29 Percent Compared To 2024 

Post#3 » by jk31 » Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:44 pm

"However, this year's series still outranks everything else on television."


So what is this "Story" even about? the extrapolated number of people watching has gone down, but so has everyone elses numbers and still the nba Finals are the Most watched thing on TV right now? (at least According to These extrapolated numbers).
jk31
Rookie
Posts: 1,117
And1: 745
Joined: Feb 15, 2014
 

Re: Game 2 Of NBA Finals Down 29 Percent Compared To 2024 

Post#4 » by jk31 » Tue Jun 10, 2025 9:45 pm

Knick4Real wrote:It looks like basketball fans have let the league know what they think about small-market teams in the NBA finals. :dontknow:



no, Basketball Fans are watching. the casual "Fans" arent watching.
CaHgO
Freshman
Posts: 94
And1: 9
Joined: Jan 25, 2024
     

Re: Game 2 Of NBA Finals Down 29 Percent Compared To 2024 

Post#5 » by CaHgO » Wed Jun 11, 2025 12:42 pm

The key takeaways I have from this:
  • People just don't watch TV as much anymore - pretty understandable as there are so many more types of media and ways to consume media nowadays
  • Despite doomsayers and naysayers, the NBA seems to be in a great spot - despite a 30% drop it's still the most watched thing on TV. If you consider streaming, YouTube, social media engagement, etc., I would go as far as to say it has never been more popular and more "followed"/engaged with.
  • Most (or at least 30% more) of the NBA fans are a bunch of casuals who prefer soap opera and "reality" shows vs. watching and understanding actual sports
  • All of the flat-earthers, anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists whining "the NBA is rigged" have been proven stupendously wrong and delusional yet again
dubbmotta
Senior
Posts: 715
And1: 127
Joined: Oct 19, 2017

Re: Game 2 Of NBA Finals Down 29 Percent Compared To 2024 

Post#6 » by dubbmotta » Wed Jun 11, 2025 12:49 pm

Who cares if it’s down if it’s “the most watched thing on tv” that’s shows everything else is down as well.

Return to Wiretap Discussion