WNBA Finals Viewership Hits 20-Year High
Record-Breaking Numbers Showcase Growing Popularity of Women's Basketball
Headline: WNBA Finals Viewership Soars to Highest Level in Two Decades
In a testament to the surging popularity of women's basketball, the 2023 WNBA Finals between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty attracted an unprecedented audience.
Across ABC and ESPN, the four-game series averaged an impressive 0.45 rating and 728,000 viewers. This marks the highest viewership for the Finals in 20 years, surpassing the previous record set in 2003.
Game 1 Sets New Mark
The opening game of the series on ABC drew an average of 729,000 viewers, setting a new record for Game 1. This represents a significant 13% increase over the first game of last year's Finals between the Aces and Connecticut Sun.
Historical Trend
Since 2018, WNBA Finals viewership has consistently increased, ranging from 381,000 to 546,000. This steady growth is a clear indication of the growing interest and appreciation for women's basketball.
WNBA vs. NBA Viewership
While the NBA consistently attracts higher viewership numbers, with an average of 7 million viewers per game, the WNBA's success is not to be underestimated. Even against stiff competition from the NFL on a busy Sunday, Game 4 of the semifinals between the Liberty and Sun emerged as the most-watched women's basketball game in history.
The record-breaking viewership of the 2023 WNBA Finals is a testament to the rising popularity of women's basketball and the growing appreciation for the skill and athleticism of the WNBA players. As the league continues to grow and showcase its stars, it is likely that viewership numbers will continue to soar in the years to come.
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