Part 2/8:
To illustrate the magnitude of the ratings decline, recent statistics provide compelling insight. For instance, ESPN's opening doubleheader for the season averaged only 1.6 million views, a staggering 42% drop compared to the previous year's Victor Wembanyama debut. Other games reflected similar trends, with viewership for the Bucks vs. 76ers hitting 1.7 million, down 2.5 million from the previous year. Further, the opening night saw a 49% drop in viewership for the Suns vs. Clippers, and a dire 29% decrease for Spurs vs. Mavericks. Alarmingly, on a Friday evening, a game garnered so little interest that it attracted less viewership than a college football match.