Fans Respond to 2013 WNBA Season with Growth in TV Viewership, Attendance and Web Traffic
September 17, 2013 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) News Release
NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2013 - Fans responded to one of the WNBA's most compelling seasons as the league experienced double digit growth in television viewership, increase in attendance and soaring traffic on WNBA.com.
The 2013 WNBA Playoffs presented by Boost Mobile begin Thursday, Sept. 19, with the Atlanta Dream taking on the Washington Mystics at 8 p.m. ET followed by the Phoenix Mercury against the Los Angeles Sparks at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2. NBA TV will then tip off its postseason coverage on Friday, Sept. 20 when the Indiana Fever begin their defense of the WNBA crown against the Chicago Sky at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Seattle Storm against the defending Western Conference champion Minnesota Lynx. All 23 possible postseason games will be airing on ESPN, ESPN2 and NBA TV. Information on game tickets and TV schedules can be found on WNBA.com.
The 2013 WNBA regular-season highlights include:
WNBA on TV :
The WNBA regular season on ESPN2 averaged 231,000 viewers, up +28% over last season (180,000)
- ESPN2's telecast of the Chicago Sky vs. the Phoenix Mercury on opening day was the most viewed WNBA regular season game on the network since 2004, delivering 455,000 viewers.
- NBA TV had its most viewed WNBA season up 19% over last year, with the Seattle Storm vs. the San Antonio Silver Stars (Friday, June 21) becoming the most watched WNBA game in the network's history with 113,000 viewers.
WNBA Attendance:
Led by the Chicago Sky (+17%), the Phoenix Mercury (+9%), and the Indiana Fever (+8%), WNBA saw increases in attendance (+1.0%).
WNBA Digital:
WNBA.com experienced double digit growth during the 2013 season for daily unique visits (+27%), total visits (+20%,) and total page views (+11%) .
WNBA games streamed online at WNBA.com via LiveAccess saw a 24% increase in unique users.
WNBA Social Media
The WNBA Channel on YouTube (youtube.com/wnba) set a new record with 635,000 videos viewed during opening week and has experienced a three- fold increase in video views this season.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from September 17, 2013
- Weigel Broadcasting Co. Airs Sky's First Ever Playoff - Chicago Sky
- Lynx Forward Maya Moore Named Western Conference Player of the Month - Minnesota Lynx
- Fowles Earns Third Eastern Conference Player of the Month Award - Chicago Sky
- Chicago's Fowles and Minnesota's Moore Named WNBA Players of the Month - WNBA
- Fans Respond to 2013 WNBA Season with Growth in TV Viewership, Attendance and Web Traffic - WNBA
- Delle Donne Becomes Second WNBA Player to Sweep Rookie of the Month Awards - Chicago Sky
- Chicago Sky's Elena Delle Donne Named Rookie of the Month - WNBA
- Minnesota Twins Team Up with Lynx by Purchasing Tickets for Friday's Playoff Opener vs. Seattle - Minnesota Lynx
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
