SEC on CBS ratings declined for the second time this season; the NBA’s slow start continues; NBCSN posted a decline for an all-Canadian matchup.
SEC on CBS Posts Rare Decline
Alabama-Tennessee scored a 2.6 rating and 4.31 million viewers on the SEC on CBS last weekend, down 7% in ratings and 3% in viewership from the same matchup last year (2.8, 4.45M) and down 48% and 49% respectively from 2016 (Texas A&M-Alabama: 5.0, 8.46M).
The Crimson Tide’s win was just the second SEC on CBS telecast to decline from last year. The other decline was for another Tennessee game, against Georgia in week five.
NBA’s Slow Start Continues
Wednesday’s Sixers-Bucks NBA regular season game earned a 0.8 rating and 1.20 million viewers on ESPN, marking a 36% decline in viewership from last year (Wizards-Lakers: 1.88M). Ratings for last year’s game were not available.
Earlier in the night, Mavericks-Hawks drew a 0.7 and 1.09 million (-21%).
Outside of the two games involving LeBron James‘ Lakers, all-but-one nationally televised NBA game this season has posted a decline in ratings and/or viewership.
All-Canadian Matchup Down on NBCSN
NBCSN earned 167,000 viewers for Maple Leafs-Jets on Wednesday Night Hockey, down 10% from last year (Sabres-Blue Jackets: 186K) and down 59% from 2016 (Bruins-Rangers: 407K). It was the first all-Canadian regular season game on NBCSN since last year’s Canadiens-Senators outdoor game, which had 140,000 on a Saturday night.
The Lightning-Avalanche nightcap had 177,000. Figures for Tuesday’s Sharks-Predators game were not available.
[Numbers from Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 10.23; Programming Insider 10.25; NBC Sports PR/Twitter 10.25]
