The 2024 NBA Playoffs are in full swing. So, if you’re wondering how to watch the NBA Playoffs, with or without cable, we have you covered. Let’s get into how to watch, plus the early ratings for the playoffs this year.
How to Watch the NBA Playoffs
When it comes to how to watch the NBA Playoffs, coverage for 2024 is broadcast on ABC, ESPN, NBA TV and TNT. But, if you don’t have cable, you can still stream the NBA playoffs online. Below are some of the streaming services to watch the NBA playoffs online in 2024.
DirecTV Stream
The DirecTV Stream carries NBA TV, ABC, ESPN, and TNT, so it’s an easy way to watch the 2024 NBA playoffs. To watch all the NBA playoff channels, you’ll have to get the Choice package, which costs $98.99 for the initial three months after the free trial, and then $108.99 a month after that.
Hulu + Live TV
Hulu + Live TV carries ABC, ESPN, and TNT. Hulu + Live TV also offers free subscriptions to ESPN+, Disney+, and Hulu (on-demand). It’s currently $76.99 a month.
fubo
You can also the 2024 NBA playoffs online at fubo. If you opt for the Pro package, you’ll get more than 100 channels, including ESPN and ABC. You can also get NBA TV with fubo’s Sports Plus add-on. The fubo Pro plan costs $79.99 a month, and the Sports Plus plan costs an extra $11 a month.
Sling
If you just want the playoffs without the extra channels, with Sling, you can get TNT and ESPN with its Orange package for $40 a month. What’s more, if you add $11 a month, you can add on NBA TV through the Sling Sports Extra add-on.
Max + B/R Sports
The NBA Playoff games that are on TNT will also be simulcast on Max’s B/R Sports add-on. That’s just $9.99 a month, in addition to whatever Max package you get.
So, if you’re wondering how to watch the NBA playoffs, those streaming services should have you covered.
Who’s Watching the NBA Playoffs? 2024 Ratings
Aside from how to watch the NBA playoffs, let’s look at ratings. When it comes to ratings, according to Sports Media Watch, so far, the NBA Playoffs have seen a small decline over last year, but the numbers are still very respectable. NBA playoff games averaged a 1.7 rating and 3.17 million viewers across all platforms (ABC, ESPN, TNT, truTV and NBA TV) through last Sunday (April 28). That’s down a tiny bit in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year, when the numbers were a 1.8 rating and 3.36 million viewers. Still, it’s tied and up from 2022, when the games averaged a 1.7 rating and 3.15 millions viewers. ABC aired six games through Sunday.
The most-watched game of the 2024 NBA season so far was the Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers Game 4 on Saturday (April 27), which averaged a 3.0 and 5.67 million viewers on ABC. That tops last year’s most-watched game, which was a Grizzlies vs. Lakers game on ESPN that drew a 2.2 rating and 4.23 million viewers.
The numbers might go down, though, as the L.A. Lakers have played in five of the ten most-watched NBA telecasts this season. They were eliminated from the playoffs on Monday (April 29), so that could hit ratings for the playoffs.
Some of the other most-watched games in the first week of the NBA Playoffs included the Clippers-Mavericks Game 4 with a 3.0 rating and 5.56 million people watching and a Knicks-Sixers Game 4 with a 2.6 rating and 4.65 million people watching. Both of those games aired on ABC. For cable, the Timberwolves-Suns Game 4 was the most-viewed game of the weekend with a 2.0 rating and 3.62 million viewership on TNT. So, there you have it. That’s who’s watching the NBA Playoffs and some information on how to watch the NBA playoffs.