Knicks' 20.6 Million-Viewer Finals Becomes NBA's Biggest Since 1998
Updated
Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 16
Knicks' 20.6 Million-Viewer Finals Becomes NBA's Biggest Since 1998
3 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · Jun 16
Summary
20.6 million viewers watched the five-game Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals on average, making it the league's biggest championship audience since 1998 and the strongest Finals performance ever on ABC.
24.5 million tuned in for Saturday's title-clinching Game 5, with the closing minutes peaking at 33 million as New York beat San Antonio 94-90 for its first championship in 53 years.
Three straight games topped 20 million viewers, a streak the Finals had not produced since the Cavaliers' 2016 comeback over the Warriors; the 2026 series also doubled last year's 10.27 million average.
New York's presence from the largest U.S. media market helped, but NBA TV demand was broader: regular-season games across ABC, ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Prime Video rose 16%, and playoff audiences also posted double-digit growth.
Is the NBA's ratings surge a true league comeback or a perfect storm created by the New York market?
Can the champion Knicks overcome massive financial hurdles to keep their historic roster intact for a repeat?
How will the Spurs build around Victor Wembanyama to become the NBA's next powerhouse?
The 2026 NBA Finals: Historic Ratings Surge, Unprecedented Merchandise Sales, and Global Impact
Overview
The 2026 NBA Finals were an unprecedented success, capturing widespread attention and setting new records across multiple areas. The series cemented its place in history by achieving a league record for merchandise sales, with purchases across NBAStore.com, Fanatics, team stores, and third-party retailers doubling the previous Finals record. This surge in merchandise underscored the significant commercial impact and fan enthusiasm generated by the championship. The Finals’ remarkable achievements highlight the event’s broad appeal and lasting impact, making it a milestone moment for the NBA.