Opening night highest rated in 15 years

LockoutSeason · Post #1 » by **LockoutSeason** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 4:19 pm

scrabbarista · Post #2 » by **scrabbarista** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 5:27 pm

I didn't watch anything other than the basketball and the MJ segment - I'm sure the pre-game stuff would've numbed my brain into a coma - but the game broadcast itself was better than ESPN or TNT have been for many, many years (decades?). Great stream quality, Tirico was great, and I loved how they let the game breathe instead of piling chit chat and ads and hype all over it. Then you have the song!

I guess I'm mostly talking about the first game, even though I watched both. At the very least, the stream quality is a huge plus going forward.

M2J · Post #3 » by **M2J** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 5:53 pm

Not that surprising going from cable to broadcast

UcanUwill · Post #4 » by **UcanUwill** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 5:56 pm

I wonder how well Portland games will do. Weren't their pre season games did way better than NBA finals?

Mephariel · Post #5 » by **Mephariel** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 6:00 pm

It helps that the games have been incredible. Last night have two of the best back to back opening games I can remember.

The4thHorseman · Post #6 » by **The4thHorseman** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 6:10 pm

Can't remember but does opening night usually have only 2 games scheduled? I realize the matchups were good, but obviously when there's no other games being played during those times, it shouldn't be a big surprise at high ratings on opening nite.

bovice · Post #7 » by **bovice** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 6:19 pm

maybe the blatant rigging isn't so bad after all

tribulations · Post #8 » by **tribulations** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 7:15 pm

No lebron, no problem

Post #9 » by **GeorgeMarcus** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 7:31 pm

People can and will complain about the product for a variety of reasons, but the fact remains I enjoy this sport more than any other and I'm very happy it's back. Apparently I'm not alone in that

Wolveswin · Post #10 » by **Wolveswin** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 7:37 pm

I would be tentative about this brag point. WNBA averaged 2.7M. Yes because of Clark. Otherwise like 1.3M.

NFL was over 22M on AVERAGE.

Optms · Post #11 » by **Optms** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 9:46 pm

Wemby poised to carry this league along with Luka.

Rainwater · Post #12 » by **Rainwater** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 9:58 pm

Oh, The sport is dying! The fans hate it! Silver sucks!

thelead · Post #13 » by **thelead** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 9:58 pm

Imagine that, putting it on NBC instead of cable-only made the ratings go up

MrBigShot · Post #14 » by **MrBigShot** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 10:28 pm

Wolveswin wrote:I would be tentative about this brag point. WNBA averaged 2.7M. Yes because of Clark. Otherwise like 1.3M.

NFL was over 22M on AVERAGE.

Those numbers don't include people watching 3rd party streaming sites. I'm willing to bet that a much higher percentage watch the NBA that way than any other american sport, by far.

Not to say that the NBA is as popular as the NFL, but it's not as lop sided as those numbers paint.

Wolveswin · Post #15 » by **Wolveswin** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 10:52 pm

MrBigShot wrote:
Wolveswin wrote:I would be tentative about this brag point. WNBA averaged 2.7M. Yes because of Clark. Otherwise like 1.3M.

NFL was over 22M on AVERAGE.

Those numbers don't include people watching 3rd party streaming sites. I'm willing to bet that a much higher percentage watch the NBA that way than any other american sport, by far.

Not to say that the NBA is as popular as the NFL, but it's not as lop sided as those numbers paint.

It’s just as lopsided as the numbers look NFL has third-party apps as well. But nice try.

RookieStar · Post #16 » by **RookieStar** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 10:57 pm

Wolveswin wrote:
MrBigShot wrote:
Wolveswin wrote:I would be tentative about this brag point. WNBA averaged 2.7M. Yes because of Clark. Otherwise like 1.3M.

NFL was over 22M on AVERAGE.

Those numbers don't include people watching 3rd party streaming sites. I'm willing to bet that a much higher percentage watch the NBA that way than any other american sport, by far.

Not to say that the NBA is as popular as the NFL, but it's not as lop sided as those numbers paint.

It’s just as lopsided as the numbers look NFL has third-party apps as well. But nice try.

Pardon for butting in... but did you account for the international viewers? A lot and i mean a lot of international viewers stream ( mostly illegal) just to watch NBA... NFL not so unless its the superbowl.

Unless you are talking about American numbers only the ill bow out of this conversation.

MrBigShot · Post #17 » by **MrBigShot** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 11:33 pm

RookieStar wrote:
Wolveswin wrote:
MrBigShot wrote:
Those numbers don't include people watching 3rd party streaming sites. I'm willing to bet that a much higher percentage watch the NBA that way than any other american sport, by far.

Not to say that the NBA is as popular as the NFL, but it's not as lop sided as those numbers paint.

It’s just as lopsided as the numbers look NFL has third-party apps as well. But nice try.

Pardon for butting in... but did you account for the international viewers? A lot and i mean a lot of international viewers stream ( mostly illegal) just to watch NBA... NFL not so unless its the superbowl.

Unless you are talking about American numbers only the ill bow out of this conversation.

Nah he's just here to crap on the NBA. Some people have too much free time.

Best rated opening night in 15 yrs is great, and we've had some terrific games so far.

Post #18 » by **HMFFL** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 11:36 pm

OT basketball has been nice too.

Rainwater · Post #19 » by **Rainwater** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 11:42 pm

Wolveswin wrote:I would be tentative about this brag point. WNBA averaged 2.7M. Yes because of Clark. Otherwise like 1.3M.

NFL was over 22M on AVERAGE.

When comparing NFL ratings to other sports there needs to be context. They have several advantages that other sports don’t have. The NFL typically plays on the weekend, particularly on Sunday afternoons, when most are home. They only play 16 games. Football is cultural for many of the US, particularly in the south. This in part plays a role in way viewership is so high domestically in comparison to internationally. You have cities in the south that will shut down for a damn high school football game lol. Most NFL games are on broadcast networks. Comparing NFL ratings to other sports is not a fair comparison when they have advantages to produce higher ratings.

Mephariel · Post #20 » by **Mephariel** » Fri Oct 24, 2025 11:55 pm

Wolveswin wrote:I would be tentative about this brag point. WNBA averaged 2.7M. Yes because of Clark. Otherwise like 1.3M.

NFL was over 22M on AVERAGE.

Clark is a huge boost. But the WNBA is definitely on the up swing even without her. They definitely have something to look forward to.

NBA isn't as big as NFL. So what? It is doing very well. Internationally, it is much bigger than the NFL.