NBA Finals Set Viewership, Spending Records in Canada

By The Wildcard June 14, 2019 at 4:13pm

The final numbers are in, and the NBA Finals were a smashing success for Canada all the way around.

The NBA said Friday that 56 percent of the Canadian population watched at least some part of the NBA Finals, with an average viewership of about 8 million for the Toronto Raptors‘ title-winning victory over the Golden State Warriors in Game 6.

??️ #NBAFinals Game 6 Mini-Movie ?️?

The @Raptors capture their first NBA Championship ? in franchise history behind a 114-110 win on the road in Oracle! #WeTheNorth #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/IVqIrd5IQS

— NBA (@NBA) June 15, 2019

The league also said the total combined U.S. and Canadian audience for the finals was up 11 percent over the combined viewership of the 2018 title series between Golden State and Cleveland.

Thursday’s contest was the most-watched NBA game in Canadian television history, a record that was toppled several times during this postseason because of the Raptors’ popularity.

Viewership for each of the six finals games rank among the 10 most-watched television programs in Canada so far this year.

“Everybody who supported us during the season, all the fans in Toronto, everyone in Canada — this is for you,” Raptors forward Serge Ibaka said after Toronto’s first NBA championship.

“This is for Canada, baby. You should be proud.”

A kid from Congo, becoming an NBA Champion is sureal. I was not supposed to be here but I never lost faith. This is a dream come true but also an opportunity for me to remind every kid in Congo, in Africa and everywhere that anything is possible. Thank you Toronto and Canada ?? pic.twitter.com/vigq4XMPrE

— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) June 14, 2019

And not only were Canadians watching, but they were buying.

The NBA said that online sales through the league’s official portals smashed records for the day following the end of a championship series, up more than 80 percent from the previous mark (set when Cleveland beat Golden State in 2016), and up more than 100 percent over sales on the day following the Warriors’ sweep of the Cavaliers last season.

The Raptors are planning a parade in Toronto on Monday, one that will likely take more than two hours.

“This means so much to our city and to many in Canada, and we are looking forward to showing everyone the Larry O’Brien Trophy on Monday,” Raptors president Masai Ujiri said.

Did you watch the NBA Finals this year

“Bringing the NBA championship to Toronto is the realization of a goal for our team and for our players, and we are thrilled to be able to celebrate together with our fans.”

The newly crowned NBA champions, who won the title in Oakland, California on Thursday night, are expected back in Toronto on Saturday.

They were planning to spend Friday night celebrating in Las Vegas.

The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.

Submit a Correction →