What Xiao Hua is most worried about happens! The small market showdown in the finals was cold, and G1 ratings hit a new low in 37 years

On June 6, the 2025 NBA Finals' first game broke out. The Indiana Pacers narrowly defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 away, leading 1-0 with Halliburton's final score. However, behind this dramatic reversal is a embarrassing reality that makes the league feel: its TV ratings have fallen to freezing point.

According to data from the authoritative ratings statistics agency Nelson, the finals broadcast on ABC TV's nationwide live broadcast, the average number of viewers was only 8.91 million, with a rating of 4.7. This not only set a new low for the NBA playoffs this season, but also set a record for the lowest ratings in the first NBA Finals since Nelson had a complete record in 1988 (except for the 2020 and 2021 Bubble Park Games affected by the epidemic).

This dazzling rating data happened to happen after NBA President Xiao Hua recently publicly talked about the "potential impact of the two small market teams meeting the finals on ratings." The showdown between the Pacers and the Thunder seems to confirm the concerns of the league's top leaders. In comparison, the highly anticipated four-country invitational gold medal match of the North American Professional Hockey League (NHL) this season, Canada vs. the United States, with an average viewership of 9.3 million, setting a record high in the event. This number even surpasses the first NBA Finals game, highlighting the challenges the league faces in attracting pan-sports audiences.

Despite the sluggish viewership throughout the game, the dramatic ending brought moments of highlights. When Halliburton hit the winning goal that gave the Pacers its first lead, the number of viewers instantly soared to a peak of 11 million. This thrilling reversal and the presence of peak viewing ratings have made the outside world look forward to the upcoming second game ratings recovery. Game 2 of the

Finals will continue to be played at Oklahoma City at the Thunder home, and the time is scheduled to be on Monday morning, June 9. Can the Pacers take advantage of the victory and can the Thunder rebound strongly? More importantly, whether this key battle can recover lost viewers will become the focus of attention of the league and broadcasters.