ESPN and ABC report strong viewership for NBA Draft coverage

The first round of the 2026 NBA Draft, aired on June 23 by ESPN and ABC, attracted an average of 4.2 million viewers, reflecting a 10% increase from the previous year. The peak viewership reached 5.5 million during a key quarter hour at 8:15 p.m. ET. This strong performance underscores the growing interest in the NBA Draft among audiences. Television ratings are expected to impact future broadcasting agreements and marketing strategies within the league.

• 11:47 PMYahoo Sports — ESPN and ABC’s presentation of the first round of the …