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3mo ago

NBA Playoffs See Record Cable Ratings While NHL Faces Mixed Viewership Trends

Warriors-Rockets Game 7 delivers highest first-round cable audience since 2009, as NHL sees U.S. declines offset by Canadian growth.

May 4, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets center Cole Perfetti (91) celebrates after his goal against the St. Louis Blues with teammates left wing Kyle Connor (81) and defenseman Neal Pionk (4) in the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
May 4, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots the ball over Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green (4) during the fourth quarter of game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
May 4, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring a basket during the second half of game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images/File Photo
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Overview

  • The Warriors' Game 7 win over the Rockets averaged 6.63 million viewers on TNT and truTV, marking the most-watched first-round NBA playoff game on cable since 2009.
  • The full first round of the NBA Playoffs averaged 3.27 million viewers across networks, a 4% increase from last year, with ABC seeing a 14% rise in viewership.
  • The NHL's Stanley Cup opening round averaged 727,000 viewers on ESPN/ABC and 704,000 on TNT in the U.S., representing significant declines compared to last year.
  • In Canada, the NHL's first-round viewership grew by 12%, averaging 1.8 million viewers, contributing to a stable combined U.S.-Canada average of 2.5 million.
  • Saturday's Avalanche-Stars Game 7 was the most-watched NHL game of the opening round with 2.4 million viewers, while Blues-Jets Game 7 drew 1.6 million on TBS.