Ratings for the NFL Pro Bowl dating back to 1997.
The 2009 Pro Bowl drew a 5.4 rating and 8.8 million viewers on NBC, down 14% and 12%, respectively, from the previous year. Despite the decline, last year marked only the third time since 2000 that the Pro Bowl averaged at least 5% of U.S. television households.
From ’97 to ’00, the Pro Bowl was a strong TV draw, attracting at least 7.9% of TV households each year. Ratings fell significantly from ’01 to ’03, and then dropped off the proverbial cliff starting in ’04 — when the game moved from broadcast (ABC) to cable (ESPN).
On ESPN, the Pro Bowl hit record lows in viewership in back-to-back years (2005 and 2006). The 2006 game, the most recent to air on the network, drew a 3.7 and 6 million viewers — the lowest rated, least-viewed Pro Bowl on record.
Since moving back to broadcast television in ’07, ratings for the Pro Bowl have recovered. The last two games drew two of the three largest audiences for the event since ’00, including a 6.3 rating and 10 million for the 2008 game. However, with this year’s game returning to ESPN, the numbers are likely to plunge once again.
Ratings/viewership for the Pro Bowl since 1997
Viewership unavailable for games from 1997-99
| Year | Date | Result | Net | Rating | Viewers (000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Sun., 2/8/09 | NFC 30 | NBC |
5.4
|
8,798
|
| AFC 21 | |||||
| 2008 | Sun., 2/10/08 | NFC 42 | FOX |
6.3
|
9,971
|
| AFC 30 | |||||
| 2007 | Sat., 2/10/07 | AFC 31 | CBS |
4.6
|
6,983
|
| NFC 28 | |||||
| 2006 | Sun., 2/12/06 | NFC 23 | ESPN |
3.7
|
5,960
|
| AFC 17 | |||||
| 2005 | Sun., 2/13/05 | AFC 38 | ESPN |
4.1
|
6,161
|
| NFC 27 | |||||
| 2004 | Sun., 2/8/04 | NFC 55 | ESPN |
3.9
|
6,359
|
| AFC 52 | |||||
| 2003 | Sun., 2/2/03 | AFC 45 | ABC |
5.9
|
9,060
|
| NFC 20 | |||||
| 2002 | Sat., 2/9/02 | AFC 38 | ABC |
4.3
|
6,978
|
| NFC 30 | |||||
| 2001 | Sun., 2/4/01 | AFC 38 | ABC |
4.7
|
6,970
|
| NFC 17 | |||||
| 2000 | Sun., 2/6/00 | NFC 51 | ABC |
8.6
|
13,239
|
| AFC 31 | |||||
| 1999 | Sun., 2/7/99 | AFC 23 | ABC |
7.9
|
—
|
| NFC 10 | |||||
| 1998 | Sun., 2/1/98 | AFC 29 | ABC |
7.9
|
—
|
| NFC 24 | |||||
| 1997 | Sun., 2/2/97 | AFC 26 | ABC |
9.1
|
—
|
| NFC 23 (OT) |
