PBA: Meralco-SMB Game 6 most-watched sports event so far this 2024

Meralco's championship win was also a win for the PBA. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

PASIG—The PBA Philippine Cup Finals between Meralco and San Miguel was a happy ending for the 2023-2024 season marred with concerns about fan interest.

According to AGB Nielsen's national urban television audience measurement, the series finale, which saw a wild ending before the Bolts were crowned champions, drew at least 3.5 million national television viewers when it was aired live on RPTV on June 16, good for 4.7 percent which easily made the said game the most watched sports event halfway into 2024.

There has yet to be data on how Meralco-SMB Game 6 fared on cable network PBA Rush, but coupled with a packed Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City that night, the game was a must-watch.

“We are very grateful ‘yung mga manonood natin ay patuloy tayong sinusundan, at nadagdagan pa sila noong mga nakatutok sa atin sa RPTV, sa ating carrying cable network at sa social media,” PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said.

The PBA is now optimistic that the improved viewership would carry into the next season, especially with some twists coming back, the main highlight of which is the lifting of the height limit for the Commissioner's Cup with the possibility of bringing back the two-import format

“Maganda sa PBA at maganda sa fans. Malaking bagay dahil nabigyan natin ng wider reach ang PBA sa mga fans,” said Marcial.

The countdown to the league's 49th season is now officially underway with the PBA Draft Combine at the Ynares Sports Arena here.

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