NBA Ratings Decline During Opening Week

The NBA is facing a significant decline in viewership at the start of the new season, with ESPN's opening doubleheader averaging just 1.6 million viewers, a staggering 42% decrease from the previous year. High-profile matchups have not resulted in the expected interest, as the Bucks vs. 76ers game drew 1.71 million viewers, down from 2.55 million last season. The absence of stars like Joel Embiid and Kawhi Leonard has contributed to viewer disinterest, leading to ESPN's Friday game attracting only 830,000 viewers, lower than a college football broadcast. Despite a 7% increase during Tuesday's opening night, subsequent days saw significant drops in ratings. The league faces criticism for not effectively promoting young talent and for the high number of subscriptions required to watch the games. Analysts suggest that unless the NBA makes drastic changes, it may continue to struggle with attracting viewers this season.