Despite an earlier start time and hefty competition from the Academy Awards, the 2012 NBA All-Star Game earned strong numbers on TNT Sunday night.
The NBA All-Star Game drew a 5.4 overnight rating on TNT Sunday night, down 13% from last year (6.2). The game was the earliest NBA All-Star Game since 2002 and aired directly opposite the Academy Awards.
The 5.4 overnight for Sunday’s game is the second-highest for the NBA All-Star Game since 2005, behind only last year.
The NBA All-Star Game drew a lower overnight than the MLB All-Star Game last July (7.9) and the NFL Pro Bowl in January (7.9). The NHL All-Star Game, the only other All-Star Game to air on cable over the past year, earned a 1.0 overnight.
Of note, overnight ratings have declined for the most recent NBA, MLB and NFL All-Star games. Only the NHL All-Star Game managed to avoid a decline (the 1.0 overnight was even with the previous year).
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (10.5) was the top market for Sunday’s game, followed by Oklahoma City (10.1). Host-market Orlando turned in a 9.7 — down 16% from last year’s game in host market Los Angeles (11.6). The ratings in those three markets rank as the highest ever for the All-Star Game on TNT.
Rounding out the top five were Chicago (8.7) and Los Angeles (8.3).
On Saturday, NBA All-Star Saturday night earned a 4.4 overnight rating. Overnight ratings for last year’s event were not available. The 4.4 is tied with 2009 as the second-highest overnight in the history of the event.
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale (9.4) led all markets for Saturday’s telecast, followed by San Antonio (7.5), host market Orlando (7.3), Oklahoma City (6.9) and Atlanta and Chicago (6.5 each).
For some perspective, the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby earned a 4.8 overnight on ESPN last July.
(This year’s numbers from Turner Sports)
