The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) remains a powerhouse in local sports entertainment, boasting an impressive average viewership of nearly 1 million per game, according to Nielsen data.
In preparation for the upcoming season, PBA officials reviewed last season’s ratings, which show that the league’s continued dominance in Filipino sports broadcasting. The figures, presented by broadcast partners TV5 and Cignal TV, highlight the PBA’s remarkable appeal.
“Nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso (it felt good and very touching),” commented PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial during the league’s annual planning meeting at Swissotel Nankai, Osaka, Japan.
During the meeting, the PBA board of governors and key officials were presented with a comprehensive report by TV5 President/CEO Guido Zaballero and Cignal TV President/CEO Jane Basas. The data showcased the PBA’s outstanding performance, with an average of 975,520 viewers per game in the first six months of 2024.
In comparison, other sports programmes fell behind significantly: the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) had 313,040 viewers, while the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Basketball Association (NBA), and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) attracted 218,400, 218,400, and 145,600 viewers, respectively. Notably, 14 of the top 20 sports programmes were PBA games, with Game 6 of the Meralco-San Miguel Philippine Cup final leading with 2.16 million viewers.
PBA’s ambition to rule Asia’s sports entertainment
Despite these stellar ratings, the PBA is focusing on improving the in-venue fan experience. Chairman Ricky Vargas and the board are dedicated to enhancing live game attendance and overall fan engagement.
“While the ratings are fantastic, we aim to bring more fans into the arenas and enrich their experience,” Vargas stated.
The PBA has also been making headlines with its new four-point shot rule, debuting this season as part of its strategy to become Asia’s premier sports entertainment league. Set to launch on 18 August, this rule allows players to score four points for shots made from 27 feet away.
These changes aim to energise the game and attract global attention. While some embrace it as a game-changer, others remain sceptical about its impact. The league hopes this it will help to achieve its achieve its goal of topping the sports entertainment rankings in Asia.
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