Hey sports enthusiasts, imagine this: Your favorite NBA and NHL teams are drawing bigger crowds than ever, not just in arenas, but right in your living rooms through screens big and small. It's a game-changer that's got fans glued to the action, and FanDuel Sports Networks (FDSN) is at the heart of it. But here's where it gets controversial – is this the dawn of a streaming takeover, or can old-school TV still hold its ground? Stick around as we dive into the numbers that prove viewership is booming, and explore the twists that might just redefine how we watch sports.
Dated 12.15.2025, the latest buzz from FanDuel Sports Networks reveals a winning formula: a balanced mix of streaming platforms and traditional linear TV is fueling impressive audience growth for both NBA and NHL broadcasts as the holiday season approaches. This synergy isn't just a fluke; it's a strategic push that's making fans cheer louder.
Let's break it down for the NBA side first. Across all FDSN Regional Sports Networks (RSNs), overall audience viewership has climbed a solid 12% for NBA games. That's the total eyeballs tuning in, whether via cable or online. Even linear TV viewership – think classic cable broadcasts – has ticked up by 2% compared to the same time last year. But the real star here is the focused effort on in-market streaming, which has injected new energy into the mix. For beginners wondering what 'in-market streaming' means, it's simply allowing fans to stream their local teams' games directly in their own region, often through apps or websites, bypassing some of the old cable hassles.
David Coletti, the head of research at FanDuel Sports Networks, puts it perfectly: 'That’s a mix of the continued viewer trend of moving into the streaming ecosystem, as well as our efforts with our partner teams in kind of collaborative marketing to educate fans about what’s available and how to access teams, their favorite teams via streaming.' He adds, 'What’s also very encouraging is that for the vast majority of our teams, we’re seeing linear up. ... Always encouraging to see that you don’t have to gain streaming viewers at the expense of another platform.'
And this is the part most people miss – nearly every NBA team partnered with FDSN RSNs is experiencing double-digit growth in unique streamers per game. Some squads are even hitting triple-digit increases, meaning far more individual fans are hopping online for each matchup. To put it in perspective, think of it like this: If last season's streaming felt like a small gathering of friends, this year it's turning into a massive block party. Across the entire FDSN portfolio for NBA teams, total minutes streamed have skyrocketed to 300 million – that's up a whopping 56% from the same point last season. Plus, a massive 88% of those streaming minutes come through Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) products, which are services where you subscribe straight to the content, like cutting out the middleman cable provider.
Leading the pack among FDSN NBA partners are the Detroit Pistons, boasting a remarkable 97% boost in total audience. Other standout performers include the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs, all showing robust gains that highlight how tailored streaming options are resonating with fans.
Now, switching gears to the NHL – or as the article playfully dubs it, 'Fire and ice' – FanDuel Sports Networks is enjoying one of its strongest NHL seasons on record. Total audience viewership across all FDSN RSNs has surged 26%, with linear TV jumping 24% on its own. Streaming, meanwhile, has exploded 61%, proving that hockey fans are embracing the digital shift at lightning speed. Total minutes streamed for NHL teams on these networks sits at 204 million, a 69% increase from last year. Every single team is reporting double- or triple-digit growth in unique streaming viewers, meaning the ice rink fever is spreading wider than ever online.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are topping the NHL charts on FDSN with a 69% audience increase, while the St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, and Detroit Red Wings are also skating ahead with strong performances. It's exciting to see how these numbers reflect a vibrant, growing community of fans.
Coletti weighs in again on the broader trends: 'Access to sports content is still the biggest driver of people staying in the pay TV ecosystem,' he explains. 'Because of that, I think what we’re seeing is that you’re picking up people who have — for varying reasons — exited the pay TV bundle but still love their local team. But a huge chunk of them are still in the pay TV bundle precisely because of sports.'
This raises an intriguing counterpoint: Are we witnessing a harmonious blend where streaming enhances rather than erodes traditional TV, or is this just a temporary truce before one dominates? Some might argue that as more fans stream, cable providers could lose ground in the long run, potentially leading to fewer free-to-air options or higher costs for bundles. Others see it as a win-win, giving viewers more control over what they watch and how. What do you think – is this evolution of sports viewing a positive step forward, or does it risk leaving some fans behind? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you agree that streaming is revolutionizing the game or if you're holding out for the classic TV experience!
