The Breeders’ Cup return to NBC was up huge compared to last year, but still trailed 2010. In other news, TNT and ESPN suffered declines for NBA coverage last week.
- Breeders’ Cup Up Big on NBC, Still Down From ’11: Primetime coverage of the Breeders’ Cup Classic drew a 2.0 final rating and 3.056 million viewers on NBC November 3, up 100% in ratings and 91% in viewership from coverage on ESPN in an earlier timeslot last year (1.0, 1.6M), but down 20% and 25%, respectively, from coverage on ESPN in 2010 (2.5, 4.095M). Breeders’ Cup coverage on the NBC Sports Network averaged 358,000 viewers, down 74% from coverage on ESPN last year (1.4M). (Last week’s numbers from Bloodhorse, Sports Business Daily)
- Declines For NBA on TNT Thursday: Thursday’s Thunder/Bulls NBA regular season game drew 1.848 million viewers on TNT, down 8% from Knicks/Bulls in 2010 (2.004M), and down 22% from Bulls/Cavaliers in 2009 (2.354M). Later in the night, Clippers/Trail Blazers drew 1.407 million, down 19% from Thunder/Blazers in 2010 (1.734M). Last year’s doubleheader, which was to feature Thunder/Bulls and Spurs/Trail Blazers, was canceled due to the NBA owners’ lockout of players. (Thursday’s numbers from The Futon Critic)
- ESPN’s Sixers/Hornets Game Down Big As Well: ESPN drew just 1.065 million viewers for Wednesday’s Sixers/Hornets NBA regular season game, down 56% from Bucks/Celtics in 2010 (2.451M), and down 3% from Heat/Wizards in 2009 (1.103M). Hornets rookie Anthony Davis, the only reason the game was on the schedule, did not play. Later in the night, Spurs/Clippers drew 1.336 million — down 43% from Lakers/Kings in 2010 (2.329M), but up 14% from Mavericks/Hornets in 2009 (1.176M). Last year’s Rockets/Sixers and Spurs/Lakers doubleheader was canceled. (Wednesday’s numbers from The Futon Critic)
CORRECTION 11/17/12: The NBA on TNT doubleheader was previously compared to the wrong week in 2010.
