One of the highest-profile stops on the NASCAR calendar did nothing to slow the circuit’s decline.
NASCAR Cup Series racing from Talladega (Ala.) earned a 3.4 overnight rating on FOX Sunday afternoon, down 11% from both last year and 2015 (3.8) and the lowest overnight for the race since at least 1998 — including a 2006 rainout (3.8).
The race has now set or tied a multi-year low in five straight years, sliding 30% over that span (from 4.7 in 2012). It had a 5.2 overnight as recently as nine years ago.
Overnights have declined for all-but-two Cup Series races this season. Keep in mind that does not include the rainout at Bristol or the March 12 Las Vegas race, figures for which never became available due to a lengthy Nielsen delay.
For the weekend, Talladega ranked fourth among sporting events on broadcast behind the Kentucky Derby (10.5) and a pair of NBA playoff games on ABC. Overnights were not available for Sunday’s NBA games on cable network TNT.
(Wknd. numbers via Sports Business Daily 5.8)
