The NBA Draft on Wednesday night averaged 2.65 million viewers across ESPN and ESPNU, marking the event’s lowest figure since June ‘09 (2.64 million just on ESPN). The shift of the Draft to November played a part in the drop from previous years, as did the event going virtual vs. in-person. There also continues to be big increases in cable news viewership (two primetime shows on MSNBC and three on Fox News topped the Draft on Wednesday night), while overall TV usage this fall remains down 5% from the same period in ‘19. Wednesday night’s telecast from 8:00-11:01pm ET was down 14% from 3.09 million viewers on ESPN/ESPNU/ESPNews. Two years ago on ESPN alone, the Draft in June averaged 3.07 million viewers. While not the most-watched program overall on Wednesday night, the Draft was the most-viewed program across all networks among all key male demos (18-34, 18-49, 25-54). Draft content also saw 59 million video views and 296,000 total hours watched on NBA social media platforms, marking new records for the league.
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NBA DRAFT VIEWERSHIP TREND
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YEAR
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NETWORK(S)
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VIEWERS (000)
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NO. 1 OVERALL PICK
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|
2020*
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ESPN/ESPNU
|
2,648
|
Anthony Edwards
|
|
2019
|
ESPN/ESPNU/ESPNews
|
3,087
|
Zion Williamson
|
|
2018
|
ESPN
|
3,066
|
Deandre Ayton
|
|
2017
|
ESPN
|
3,420
|
Markelle Fultz
|
|
2016
|
ESPN
|
2,994
|
Ben Simmons
|
|
2015
|
ESPN
|
3,738
|
Karl-Anthony Towns
|
|
2014
|
ESPN
|
3,451
|
Andrew Wiggins
|
|
2013
|
ESPN
|
2,999
|
Anthony Bennett
|
|
2012
|
ESPN
|
2,959
|
Anthony Davis
|
|
2011
|
ESPN
|
3,202
|
Kyrie Irving
|
|
2010
|
ESPN
|
2,789
|
John Wall
|
|
2009
|
ESPN
|
2,639
|
Blake Griffin
|
NOTE: * = Held in November vs. June due to COVID-19.
