NBA Finals Viewership Jumps 68% in Three Years

The 2026 NBA Finals averaged 19.6 million viewers—the most since the 1990s Bulls era. That's up 68% from 2023. The jump likely stems from better matchups or easier access through streaming services like Peacock and Prime Video, which reach people without cable. Ad rates rise with larger audiences, so broadcasters will closely track whether viewership holds.