The National Basketball Association (NBA) experienced a significant surge in television viewership during the opening weekend of the 2025 playoffs, achieving the highest ratings in 25 years. The eight games played on April 19 and 20 averaged 4.4 million viewers, marking a 17% increase from the previous year.

ABC and ESPN's broadcasts set a network record, averaging 4.9 million viewers across six games. TNT, truTV, and MAX also saw substantial growth, with their Sunday night games averaging 4.13 million viewers—a 23% increase from 2024 and the best ratings on that network platform in eight years.

The Boston Celtics' 103-86 victory over the Orlando Magic on Easter Sunday was the most-watched game of the weekend, averaging 6.69 million viewers and peaking at 8 million. This made it the second-most viewed first-round Game 1 ever on ABC. ESPN's broadcast of the New York Knicks' 123-112 win over the Detroit Pistons also set a record, averaging 4.12 million viewers—the second-highest first-round Game 1 viewership on the network.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed enthusiasm over the ratings, stating, "The ratings are fantastic." He also highlighted the league's excitement over new digital opportunities to engage fans, referencing the potential for multiple alternative broadcast streams similar to the NFL's ManningCast.

This surge in viewership indicates a renewed interest in the NBA, potentially driven by compelling matchups, star player performances, and strategic scheduling. The league's focus on digital engagement suggests a shift towards catering to a more tech-savvy audience, which could influence future broadcasting strategies and fan interactions.

The 2025 opening weekend's average of 4.4 million viewers is the highest since 2000, when the league averaged 4.5 million viewers during the opening weekend. This marks a significant rebound from the 2% decrease in overall ratings during the regular season. Notably, ABC's viewership increased by 10% during the regular season, while ESPN and TNT experienced declines.

The positive news for the NBA was a boost after regular-season ratings were down 2% after double-digit decreases in the first two months. ABC finished with 10% growth, while ESPN-exclusive games were down 7% and TNT ratings decreased 8%.

The surge in viewership indicates a renewed interest in the NBA, potentially driven by compelling matchups, star player performances, and strategic scheduling. The league's focus on digital engagement suggests a shift towards catering to a more tech-savvy audience, which could influence future broadcasting strategies and fan interactions.

As the playoffs progress, the NBA will likely continue to explore innovative ways to engage its audience, leveraging both traditional broadcasts and digital platforms to maintain and build upon this momentum.