NBC, which is carrying NBA games for the first time since the 2001-02 season, is averaging 2.6 million per Nielsen and Adobe Analytics — up 97% from the comparable windows last year, which primarily aired on TNT. (Those averages do not include games that air exclusively on Peacock, which is not Nielsen rated.) ESPN/ABC is averaging 2.06 million, up 18%. The networks own five of the ten largest audiences this season, all on Christmas Day — including the top three, Spurs-Thunder (6.71M), Cavaliers-Knicks (6.37M) and Mavericks-Warriors (6.11M).
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBC, which is carrying NBA games for the first time …