Overview
- Opening-week games averaged about 175,000 viewers on TNT/truTV, with truTV-only windows dropping to 32,000, well below last season’s 221,000 TNT average.
- Subsequent slates averaged 139,000 across TNT/truTV on Jan. 9 and 71,000 on truTV for Jan. 10–11, with broadcasts competing against the NFL playoffs and the College Football Playoff.
- Several marquee players from Year 1 did not return, including Sabrina Ionescu and Angel Reese, as roster turnover reshaped star power despite the player pool expanding from 36 to 54.
- League officials report over 50% year-over-year merchandise growth and a 40% increase in opening-weekend ticket revenue; a Jan. 30 Philadelphia stop at Xfinity Mobile Arena is sold out.
- The six-year TNT deal includes a three-year opt-out for Warner Bros. Discovery, adding medium-term rights uncertainty, while CEO Alex Bazzell says the league is focused on a long-term build.