NASCAR’s Clash scored a slight bump in the ratings. Also: a weak outing for the NHL on NBC, and big increases for the UFC and PBA bowling.
Rare increase for NASCAR Clash
Last Sunday’s NASCAR Clash at Daytona earned a 1.4 rating and 2.29 million viewers on FS1, up 1% in ratings and 2% in viewership from last year (1.35, 2.26M). The 2017 edition was postponed due to rain, earning a 1.2 and 1.85 million on a Sunday morning.
This year marked the first time since 2015 that ratings and viewership have increased for the Clash. Despite the bump, it topped only last year as the lowest rated edition of the event since at least 1998 (excluding rainouts).
Earlier Sunday, Daytona 500 pole qualifying drew a 1.1 and 1.70 million on FOX — down 18% in ratings and 16% in viewership from last year (1.3, 2.03M) and down 27% and 29% respectively from 2017 (1.5, 2.40M). The 1.1 rating is the lowest for the event since at least 1998.
Low numbers for NHL on NBC
Blues-Predators scored a 0.6 rating and 898,000 viewers on the NHL on NBC last Sunday, down 50% in ratings and 52% in viewership from Penguins-Blues last year, which led into Winter Olympics coverage (1.2, 1.89M). It ranks as easily the least-watched NHL game on NBC this season (six telecasts).
Shifting to NBCSN, Oilers-Penguins scored a 0.25 and 393,000 on the latest edition of Wednesday Night Hockey. There was no comparable window last year due to the Olympics; viewership increased 10% over Blues-Red Wings in 2017 (358K).
NBCSN also scored 158,000 for Blackhawks-Bruins on Tuesday; 262,000 for Penguins-Flyers on Monday; and a 0.19 and 304,000 for Maple Leafs-Rangers last Sunday.
UFC on ESPN up big from last year on FS1
ESPN scored a 0.8 rating and 1.34 million viewers for UFC pay-per-view prelims last Saturday night, up 110% in ratings and 92% in viewership from last year (0.39, 697K) and up 67% and 53% respectively from 2017 (0.49, 874K). Those telecasts aired on FS1.
Ratings and viewership trailed ESPN’s previous UFC prelims telecast, which had a 1.2 and 1.96 million last month.
PBA on FOX up big from last year on ESPN
Coverage of the PBA Tournament of Champions delivered a 0.7 rating and 1.13 million viewers on FOX last Sunday, up 78% in ratings and 75% in viewership from last year (0.41, 644K), and up 78% and 70% respectively from 2017 (0.41, 664K). The event aired on ESPN prior to this year.
It ranks as the most-watched PBA telecast since 2010 that was not adjacent to NFL coverage.
[Numbers from Nielsen via ShowBuzz Daily 2.15; Fox Sports 2.13]
