NBA Finals TV Ratings Finish With Best Mark Since 1998
The Hollywood Reporter • • sports
Key Points:
- The New York Knicks' first NBA title in 53 years attracted the largest NBA Finals audience in 28 years, with the deciding fifth game averaging 24.5 million viewers on ABC and ESPN.
- This marked the third consecutive NBA Finals game to draw over 20 million viewers, a feat last achieved in 2016 during the Cavaliers-Warriors series.
- The game five telecast was the most watched since the 1998 Finals, which was Michael Jordan’s final championship with the Chicago Bulls.
- The entire 2026 Finals series averaged 20.6 million viewers, the highest since 1998 and the best ever for the NBA Finals on ABC since it took over broadcasting rights in 2003.
- The broadcast peaked at 33 million viewers during the final minutes of the Knicks’ 94-90 victory over the Spurs, with Jalen Brunson named series MVP after scoring 45 points in game five.
