Impact of Broadcasting on the Attendance of Professional Basketball Games

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the influence of TV and radio broadcasting on the attendance of NBA games from four perspectives: (a) choosing between attending a home game and watching the game on TV, (b) watching away games on TV, (c) using cable TV sport channels, and (d) listening to games on radio. A random sample of spectators (N = 861) from six second half 1993-1994 season home games of a major Western Conference NBA team responded to a survey conducted in the arena prior to each game. Chi-square, t-test, and correlational analyses indicated that TV broadcasting of home games would decrease attendance; TV broadcasting of away games would increase attendance; cable TV access would not affect attendance; and radio broadcasting of games would increase attendance.

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