NBA and NHL Finals openers see record TV ratings on ABC
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 8, 2026, 9:03 PM
Last updated Jun 8, 2026
The opening games of the NBA and NHL Finals received significant television viewership on ABC. The NBA Finals Game 1, featuring the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs, averaged 16.93 million viewers, marking the highest ratings for a series opener since 2018. Meanwhile, the Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 attracted 4.78 million viewers, the largest audience for a final opener since 2019. Both leagues experienced increased ratings this postseason. The NBA game showed a 90 percent rise from the previous year's Game 1, while the NHL audience was up 54 percent from the last Cup opener in 2024. These figures reflect a continued trend of growing viewership across the playoffs this year.
- •NBA Finals Game 1 averaged 16.93 million viewers.
- •NHL Finals Game 1 drew 4.78 million viewers.
- •Both games marked multi-year highs for their respective openings.
- •NHL opener ratings increased by 54 percent from last year.
- •NBA opener ratings climbed 90 percent from 2025.
- 9:03 PMYahoo Sports — NBA, NHL Title Series Continue Delivering Big Audiences for ABC
- 9:37 PMYahoo Sports — TV Ratings: NBA, NHL Get Big Starts for Championship Series
"The opening games of both matchups hit multi-year highs for ABC.
"The NHL is continuing its television audience growth wave.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 8, 2026, 9:03 PMNBA, NHL Title Series Continue Delivering Big Audiences for ABC
The NHL is continuing its television audience growth wave.
- Yahoo SportsJun 5, 2026, 9:37 PMTV Ratings: NBA, NHL Get Big Starts for Championship Series
The opening games of both matchups hit multi-year highs for ABC.
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