NBA All-Star ratings held steady in the metered markets, but the game put up its strongest Olympic-year performance in over a decade.
The 2018 NBA All-Star Game had a 5.1 overnight rating on TNT and TBS, according to Sports Business Daily — even with last year (5.1) but down 6% from 2016 (5.4). Compared to the last All-Star Game to face the Winter Olympics, 2014, overnights increased 4% from a 4.9.
The 5.1 is the highest for the All-Star Game in a Winter Olympic year since 2002, when it had a direct lead-in from NBC’s coverage of the Games. Keep in mind Sunday’s Olympic competition was weaker than in past years, with NBC Sports’ 11.8 overnight down from 2014 (13.2) and 2010 (14.9).
Though high for an Olympic year, the 5.1 is tied as the second-lowest for the All-Star Game since 2010 — matching last year and ahead of only 2014. Given the big-market host, it is possible that the final ratings will fall further from the overnights than last year.
The unusually competitive game, which saw LeBron James‘ handpicked team edge Stephen Curry‘s team, peaked at a 5.5 from 11-11:15 PM ET.
Notably, the All-Star Game had the same overnight as NASCAR’s Daytona 500 earlier in the day. When the events last aired on the same day from 2004-11, Daytona routinely trounced the NBA, including by 32% in 2011 (8.2 to 6.2). It is likely that NASCAR will still come out ahead in the final tally.
Compared to other All-Star Games, Sunday’s matchup trailed last month’s Pro Bowl on ESPN and ABC (5.9) and last year’s MLB All-Star Game on FOX (6.5).
In other action, NBA All-Star Saturday Night had a 4.4 overnight on TNT alone — up 22% from last year (3.6) and up 10% from 2016 (4.0).
NBA All-Star Overnight Ratings (2005-Present)
[Wknd. numbers from Sports Business Daily 2.19]
