Viewership has been one of the biggest struggles of the NBA in the 2024-25 season. This has taken a significant hit over the weekend after it was reported that the three-day All-Star Weekend didn’t help. According to Front Office Sports, the main event of the festivities was the second least-watched game in the history of the league.
The ratings were reportedly down 13% from the 2024 All-Star Game. On Sunday, the league featured a four-team mini-tournament format. It drew an average of 4.7 million viewers, close to the average viewership of the 2023 All-Star Game of 4.6 million, making it the least-watched bout. The data came from across all TNT platforms.
Additionally, the past three All-Star Games have averaged under six million viewers. According to the report, these are the only games that have achieved such numbers. The Saturday event, which featured the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest, was down to an average of 3.4 million viewers. The average viewership was down from 4.57 million last year.
This year’s All-Star Game was the second least-watched in history, per @FOS
(h/t @RealGM ) pic.twitter.com/cLgmlwA9cz
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 20, 2025
After fans saw the data, they couldn’t help but reveal their thoughts on the declining viewership.
“Anything I needed I saw on social media. Nobody cares about this game or event any longer 🤷♂️” a fan said.
“One of the worst formats EVER. NBA going in the wrong direction,” another fan commented.
“Oh I wonder why? Silver’s NBA is a joke,” one fan posted.
Oh I wonder why? Silver’s NBA is a joke pic.twitter.com/5rAXAQxk3K
— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) February 20, 2025
“Back to the East vs west and numbers will increase”
“Adam silver is obsessed with tournaments and it’s not necessary at all ”
“And then on top of that, most everyone who did watch turned it off during one of the 8 trillion commercials”
And then on top of that, most everyone who did watch turned it off during one of the 8 trillion commercials
— The Real RC Buford (I swear) (@SirRobertBuford) February 20, 2025
“Still recovering from last year’s embarrassment.”
“That man needs to resign and give someone else a chance. Larry Bird would be a great commissioner!”
NBA’s viewership is down 5% this season
The topic of the NBA’s declining views has been brought up on more than one occasion this season. The views of the 2024-25 season struggled in the first few months but have since been picked up. However, it’s still not an impressive feat as they’ve averaged less this season.
According to Front Office Sports, the league has averaged 1.76 million views this season. The data was collected from TNT and ESPN platforms. Additionally, the state of the league’s views is a consistent 5% decline every year.
It is thought that the league’s decision to go to NBC for the upcoming season would help them increase their audience.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen with Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
