NBA Playoffs 2019: Raptors-76ers Game 7 was the most-watched NBA game ever in Canada

Carlan Gay

NBA Playoffs 2019: Raptors-76ers Game 7 was the most-watched NBA game ever in Canada image

The biggest game in Raptors franchise history to date drew the biggest audience in Canadian basketball broadcast history.

5.8 million Canadians tuned in to watch some or all of the Raptors' Game 7 last-second victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. A record-breaking average of 2.2 million viewers tuned in to make it the most-watch NBA game in Canada.

Rogers Sportsnet hit a peak audience of 3.8 million Canadians at 9:33 p.m. Eastern Time which was around the time Kawhi Leonard hit the game-winning jump shot to send the Raptors to the Conference Finals.

The previous record was Game 4 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals when 1.8 million Canadians saw the Raptors even up their series with the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers at 2-2.

MORE: Toronto Raptors vs. Milwaukee Bucks series preview | Drake hints that a Kawhi Leonard-inspired freestyle 

Both TSN and Sportsnet can expect big TV numbers again as the Raptors take on one of the league's brightest young stars in Giannis Antektoumpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. 

Game one is set for Wednesday night in Milwaukee on Sportsnet.

Game Date Location Time TV/Radio
Game 1 Wednesday, May 15 Fiserv Forum 8:30 p.m. Sportsnet/SN 590 The FAN
Game 2 Friday, May 17 Fiserv Forum 8:30 p.m. TSN/ TSN 1050
Game 3 Sunday, May 19 Scotiabank Arena 7:00 p.m. Sportsnet/SN 590 The FAN
Game 4 Tuesday, May 21 Scotiabank Arena 8:30 p.m. TSN/ TSN 1050
Game 5 Thursday, May 23 Fiserv Forum 8:30 p.m. TSN/SN 590 The FAN
Game 6 Saturday, May 25 Scotiabank Arena 8:30 p.m. Sportsnet/TSN 1050
Game 7 Monday, May 27 Fiserv Forum 8:30 p.m. TSN/SN 590 The FAN

Games 5-7 if necessary

Carlan Gay