PH fans boost NBA viewership amid seeding, playoffs

FILE – In this Aug. 11, 2020, file photo, Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives to the basket past Washington Wizards’ Anzejs Pasecniks, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks open the Eastern Conference playoffs Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File)

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines proved once again how crazy is for basketball.

According to Forbes’ findings, the 2020 NBA Seeding Games saw audience increase of 288% in the Philippines as compared to the 2019-20 regular season before it got suspended due to COVID-19.

The Philippines’ rate in increase of basketball media consumption was the largest among international markets with Spain’s 113% uptick coming in second.

Vietnam (88%), Lithuania (+79%), Mexico (+60%), Colombia (+59%), Argentina (+40%), Dominican Republic (+30%), and Italy (+11%) were the other markets that saw increases in their NBA viewership.

“There has never been a better time to be an international NBA fan,” said Matt Brabants, the NBA’s senior vice president of global media distribution, in a statement.

“Between primetime games in key markets around the world, the impact that international players are having on the court, and new broadcast innovations introduced as part of the season restart, there are more ways for international fans to experience the excitement of the NBA than ever before.”