With the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals standing at a bettors’ dream 1-1 count, the hype is real for Game Three of the ongoing series between first-time finalists Toronto Raptors and the dynastic, five times-crowned Golden State Warriors (GSW).
The Raptors learned a hard lesson from the ultra experienced Warriors who proved they could take the starch out of the crisp and dominant play of the North in their home court—just within a game-changing six minutes. After pushing the defending champs around in Game One, the Raptors found they could no longer go far in Game Two after GSW coach Steve Kerr made crucial defensive adjustments during the halftime break. The Raptors motor began to sputter from there and the Warriors stole homecourt. Now the battle shifts to sunnier Oakland.
The world watches on tenterhooks as Game Three unfolds on June 6. And Pinoy fans—be they natural-born Raptors, longime Warriors supporters, or not—are intimately engaged. They’re loving the plotline : finals tyros vs. dynastic rulers of the era. That classic underdog-overlord theme never goes out of style.
No wonder that the NBA is celebrating a banner season in the Philippines in the 2018-2019 season. Its numbers have grown, notably in broadcast viewership, NBA League Pass subscriptions, social media consumption, and more.
Below are the highlights from the 2018-2019 NBA season in the Philippines:
Regular-Season Viewership:
5.4—The most-watched regular-season game in the Philippines during the 2018-2019 season reached a peak audience of 5.4 million viewers on ABS-CBN. (This is the game where the Portland Trailblazers outlasted the Denver Nuggets through four overtimes in the Western Conference playoffs. The game lasted till 2 a.m. Eastern time and pushed back the schedule of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines championship game between the UST Golden Tigresses and the Ateneo Lady Eagles for over an hour. This was the NBA’s first four-overtime playoff game since 1953.)
Through April 2019, average audience for live NBA games was up 15 percent and 87 percent year-over-year across ABS-CBN S + A and Basketball TV, respectively, reaching its highest mark since the 2016-2017 season.
21—Through April 2019, average audience of live, delayed and on-demand broadcasts of NBA games was up 21 percent year-over-year across ABS-CBN S + A, Basketball TV and FOX Sports, reaching the highest average audience since the 2016-2017 season.
NBA League Pass Growth:
84—Through March 2019, NBA League Pass subscribers in the Philippines increased 84% year-over-year, marking the largest year-over-year growth since 2012-2013 season. To date, the Philippines ranks fourth in NBA League Pass subscribers among markets outside the US and China and second in Asia-Pacific.
Social Media:
10.6—The NBA’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts have more than 10.6 million combined followers from the Philippines, the most of any country outside of the US.
5.5—Viewers from the Philippines to the NBA’s global YouTube Channel watched 5.5 million hours of content during the 2018-2019 season, the most of any country outside of the US.
3.7—Followers of the NBA Philippines Facebook page increased 15 percent year-over-year, making it the largest regional NBA Facebook page at over 3.7 million fans.
Marketing Partnerships and Events:
14—Following the announcement of Vivo as Official Smartphone of the NBA in the Philippines, this season the league has a record 14 partners in the country.
2—The Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Alaska achieved its highest participation numbers ever in 2019—more than 59,000 players and coaches—and has reached more than two million players, parents and coaches across more than 190 cities and municipalities since 2007.
Merchandise:
62—NBA merchandise sales from the Philippines on NBAStore.com increased 62 percent year-over-year.
“As we near the culmination of this incredible NBA season, the NBA’s remarkable growth in the Philippines speaks to the league’s impact and relevance to the country’s millions of passionate NBA fans,” NBA Philippines Managing Director Carlo Singson said. “The NBA’s commitment to innovation has provided Filipinos with a multitude of ways to experience the energy and excitement of the game. With the continued support of our partners, we look forward to building on this season’s success and taking the league’s popularity in the Philippines to even greater heights in the years to come.”
Keep watchin’, guys.