One night after the most-viewed All-Star Saturday Night ever, the centerpiece of the NBA’s All-Star Weekend drew the best numbers in nearly a decade.
The 2011 NBA All-Star Game earned a 5.2 U.S. rating and 9.093 million viewers on TNT, according to Nielsen fast-nationals, up 37% in ratings and 33% in viewership from last year (3.8, 6.846M), and up 16% and 19%, respectively, from 2009 (4.5, 7.621M).
Sunday’s game ranks as the highest rated, most-viewed NBA All-Star Game since 2003 (6.6, 10.829M), and the fourth most-viewed All-Star Game since the game returned in 2000.
Moreover, excluding playoffs, this year’s All-Star Game ranks as the second-most viewed NBA game ever on cable television, behind only the aforementioned ’03 All-Star Game.
Ratings and viewership dropped each year for the NBA All-Star Game between 2003 and 2008, but have now increased in two of the last three years.
For some perspective, the NBA All-Star Game still ranks behind the NFL Pro Bowl (7.7, 13.406M, FOX), and the MLB All-Star Game (7.5, 12.118M, FOX). Of course, those two events both aired on broadcast television — though it should be pointed out that the most recent Pro Bowl to air on cable also drew better numbers (2010: 7.1, 12.297M, ESPN).
Viewership increased by double-digits in the key adult and male demographics, led by a 47% rise among men 18-49, and increases of at least 40% in men 18-34, men 25-54, and adults 18-49.
The game’s 4.0 rating in the adults 18-49 demo tops the MLB All-Star Game (3.8), but trails the Pro Bowl (4.7).
The substantial rise for Sunday’s All-Star Game comes after record numbers for NBA All-Star Saturday Night (4.4, 8.090M), and several viewership milestones set during the first half of the regular season. Seven NBA telecasts this season have topped seven million viewers, compared to just one such game last year.
For local NBA All-Star ratings, check back later.
(Turner Sports press release; A18-49 rating from TV By The Numbers)
