Sixers on pace for highest-rated, most-streamed season on record

The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2019-20 with high expectations. Despite some expected flaws and growing pains, the Sixers have executed to the tune of a .714 winning percentage through the first quarter of the campaign. With the team rounding into contender form, they’ve become the hottest ticket in the city.

According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, they are experiencing record viewership of the Sixers since they started broadcasting the team’s games, with game ratings “on pace for their highest rated season on record.”

More from NBC Sports Philadelphia:

Game Ratings:

Through 20 games on NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Philadelphia 76ers season is currently on-pace to be the highest-rated season ever on NBC Sports Philadelphia (data back to 2008-09 season).

The 76ers are averaging a 3.7 household (HH) rating, and 3.1 for Adults 25-54, up +19% and +38% respectively compared to the 2018-19 season through the same point in the season.

The 76ers have ranked in the top 5 during the market time period 100% of the time among HH Ratings and all key Adult and Male demographics.

Additionally, among the key Adult and Male demographics, the 76ers have ranked in the top 3 during at least 94% of the games.

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The 76ers first game on the network of the season delivered a 4.9 HH rating, and it was the team’s highest-rated regular season game on the network since November 14, 2018 (Jimmy Butler’s team debut - 6.24 HH rating).

Streaming:

Through 20 games, 173,000 unique devices have streamed the 2019-20 Philadelphia 76ers, on-pace to be the most-streamed season in terms of uniques ever for the 76ers.

The 76ers vs. Hawks game on October 28, 2019 is the second most-streamed Sixers game ever in terms of uniques, behind Jimmy Butler’s debut on November 14, 2018.

This makes sense. The Philadelphia Eagles, who normally dominate Philadelphia fandom this time of year, aren’t just bad, they’ve been boring and frustrating to follow this season. The Sixers, on the other hand, have a very realistic path to playing in the NBA Finals in 6 months. They also have Joel Embiid, who is an entertainment package all himself. It’s not surprising that there’s been increased local interest in the Sixers.

If this team can really round into form and get a bit north of average on offense, paired with their suffocating defense, the energy and excitement in the city of Philadelphia come playoffs is going to be electric.