THE National Basketball League has posted another major surge in broadcast audiences, with ESPN driving a significant uplift in viewership at the halfway point of the season.
Overall viewership for regular- season games on ESPN’s primary platforms has climbed 20 per cent, strengthening the NBL’s status as Australia’s fastest-growing sport and cementing ESPN’s position as the “Home for Hoops”.
“These numbers are a testament to the growth and strength of our League and the growing number of people falling in love with elite basketball in Australia and New Zealand,” NBL Group CEO David Stevenson said.
Free-to-air audiences have also risen sharply. Network 10’s Sunday broadcast on its primary channel at 2.30pm (AEDT) has jumped 49 per cent in average audience, while the 4.30pm (AEDT) game on 10Drama has grown by 33 per cent.
“To see viewership on ESPN up 20 per cent and Network 10’s primary channel up almost 50 per cent shows the NBL’s connection with fans has never been stronger,” Mr Stevenson said.
“We are reaching more people than ever before, supported by the continued growth of our marquee moments, the impact of elite talent across the League, and the added global interest generated through our relationships with the NBA and competitions like the Pavlos Giannakopoulos Tournament.”
The combined rise across ESPN and Network 10 highlights the momentum behind the NBL’s expanding domestic and international broadcast footprint.
Mr Stevenson credited the League’s consistent Wednesday-to-Sunday broadcast schedule, the success of new initiatives such as the Ignite Cup, and increasing intrigue around marquee matchups, rivalries and world-class talent for sustaining the ratings surge.
“Together, we are elevating the NBL on every platform,” he said.
All games of the Hungry Jack’s NBL are available live on ESPN, with Sunday matches also broadcast on Network 10 and 10Drama.
