Overnight ratings for sporting events on broadcast.
Basketball.
4.8: NBA on ABC, Lakers/Jazz (3:30 PM Sunday)
3.9: NBA on ABC, Celtics/Cavaliers (8:15 PM Saturday)
2.0: NBA Countdown on ABC (8 PM Saturday)
1.5: NBA Countdown on ABC (3 PM Saturday)
- ABC drew mixed ratings for its NBA coverage over the weekend. The 3.9 overnight for Celtics/Cavaliers on Saturday night was off 5% from a 4.1 for Suns/Spurs in ’07. Meanwhile, the 4.8 for Lakers/Jazz was up a whopping 41% from the 3.4 Pistons/Bulls drew in the comparable timeslot last year. For the weekend, ABC averaged a 4.4 overnight rating, up 16% from last year.
Auto racing.
4.3/8: NASCAR on FOX, Dodge Challenger 500 (7:30 PM Saturday)
0.9: IRL on ABC, Indianapolis 500 Pole Day (3 PM Saturday)
- Overnight ratings for the Dodge Challenger 500 were up 8% from last year, when the same race aired on a Sunday afternoon. Compared to the last time the race was run on a Saturday night, the 4.3 overnight is even with the rating for the 2006 Dodge Charger 500.
- Ratings for Pole Day at the Indianapolis 500 increased from a 0.8 last year to a 0.9. While that may not seem like much, it was a 13% increase.
Golf.
3.4/8: PGA on NBC, The Players Championship, Final Round
2.1: PGA on NBC, The Players Championship, Third Round
- The loss of Tiger Woods did dent the ratings for The Players Championship, but the tournament more than held its own. The 3.4 for final round coverage was down only 8% from last year’s 3.7. NBC’s two day coverage of the event averaged a 2.8, down 15% from last year.
Other.
2.4/6: MLB on FOX, Yankees/Tigers or other regional action (3:30 PM Saturday)
0.9/2: Women’s Gymnastics Championships on CBS (3 PM Saturday, taped)
0.8/2: Toyota Texas Bass Classic on CBS (5 PM Sunday, taped)
0.8/2: Bowling’s Clash of Champions on CBS (4 PM Sunday, taped)
- FOX would love to have the Yankees on every week. Regional action, featuring Yankees/Tigers, drew a 2.4 overnight rating, up 20% from last year.
