Las Vegas played host to a remarkable event that showcased the ever-growing popularity of women’s basketball on television – the WNBA’s All-Star Game (& related festivities).
A historic moment unfolded as the WNBA All-Star Game graced the screens in its inaugural primetime slot on ABC. The captivating game drew an impressive average of 850,000 viewers, marking a phenomenal 16% surge compared to the previous year’s viewership and securing its place as the most-watched edition in the last 16 years. Notably, the game reached its peak with a staggering 955,000 viewers, while an additional 986,000 tuned in to catch the excitement of the pregame show.
This outstanding performance not only elevated the stature of women’s basketball but also demonstrated the unwavering appeal and allure of the WNBA to a captivated audience.
The WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge showcased a mesmerizing and record-breaking 37 point performance by Sabrina Ionescu from the New York Liberty in the 3-Point Contest.
The event, aired on ESPN, garnered an average viewership of 288,000, marking an impressive 43% rise compared to the previous year’s re-aired event on ESPN2
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Throughout the first half of the season, the WNBA’s matches on ESPN enjoyed a surge in popularity, garnering an average of 546,000 viewers. This remarkable figure represented an impressive 18% increase when compared to the viewership during the same period in 2022.
In the college basketball scene, the women’s national championship game featuring LSU and Iowa was a major highlight. This exhilarating showdown captured the attention of a staggering 9.9 million viewers, making it the most-watched women’s college basketball game in history. Notably, Women’s March Madness experienced a fantastic trend, with every round witnessing double-digit year-over-year percentage boosts in viewership, further solidifying the sport’s growing appeal among the audience.
