A large portion of Colorado residents are unable to watch the Denver Nuggets, the defending NBA champions. Nonetheless, viewers across America are enjoying the show. NBA insider/analyst Ethan Strauss recently delved into viewership data in a post on his substack.
Strauss found that there is significant interest in small-market, non-NFL champions on ESPN and TNT. The Denver Nuggets are the only team to have four games with two million or more viewers on these networks. Last season, the NBA averaged 1.59 million viewers per nationally televised game according to Sports Media Watch data.
The 2023 NBA playoffs were the highest rated in five years. Both Conference Finals were successful, but concerns arose during the NBA Finals when the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated. With an average of 11.64 million viewers, the 2023 NBA Finals was slightly lower than the 2022 series between the Celtics and Golden State Warriors — 12.4 million.
Comcast, the largest cable provider in Colorado, does not carry Altitude Sports Network, where the Nuggets play. Despite this blackout, the team has gained popularity and become one of the most beloved teams in the NBA.
Interest in teams like the Nuggets is not solely based on market size. Exciting players and teams like the Nuggets draw in viewers, and their entertaining gameplay has captured the attention of fans.
Despite setbacks like Murray’s injury, the Nuggets have remained a strong contender in the NBA. As they head into the postseason, they are poised to be one of the most captivating teams on TV.
The Nuggets, as defending champions, have a strong presence on cable television with a high number of nationally televised games. While their home fans may be missing out on watching them, the rest of the country is eagerly awaiting more exciting performances.
