"Views come from illegal streams" - NBA fans vent over League Pass prices after report of alarming decline

On Wednesday morning, Awful Announcing released a report regarding NBA viewership through the first week of the 2024-25 season. Fan viewership has declined significantly, with the first ESPN double-header averaging 1.6 million viewers — down 42% from last season.

Per the report, TNT's single-game slate on Thursday night averaged just 1.45 million viewers, down 29% from a comparable matchup around this time last season.

NBA fans offered a possible answer as to why the league's viewership has seen a significant decline. Some credited the viewing on illegal streams as opposed to streaming services or NBA League Pass.

"NBA fans use a lot of streaming sites. I bet 1 of every 3 fans watches the games via a stream instead of league pass or cable," one fan commented.

"I'm sure most of the views come from illegal streams," another fan added.

"People don't understand how streaming affects those numbers we don't even watch TV like that fam," one fan replied to the comment above.

Others blamed the NBA League Pass' location restrictions and expensive price tag.

"The location restriction on League Pass doesn't make any sense," a fan said.

"Well league pass is way too expensive," another fan posted.

The NBA League Pass plan with commercials costs $109.99 for the season. The premium membership costs $159.99 and is commercial-free with coverage for up to three devices.

NBA viewership expected to rise in coming weeks

While the start of the season hasn't been ideal for NBA viewership, there have been some good signs that point to a possible rise in the coming weeks. Per Awful Announcing's report, NBA on TNT opened the season strong on opening night on Oct. 22.

Viewership increased by 6% from 2023, averaging over three million viewers for TNT's first double-header. This was the first night of the NBA on TNT coverage, in what could be its final season.

TNT will not broadcast NBA games after this season after the league signed an 11-year $76 million coverage deal with ABC, ESPN, NBC and Amazon. "Inside the NBA's" iconic cast of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O'Neal is unlikely to return for one of these channels.