It barely qualifies as a sporting event — even to ABC, which listed it as a non-sports program in a press release — but the Scripps National Spelling Bee put up decent numbers.
The 2009 Scripps National Spelling Bee drew 6.1 million viewers on ABC Thursday night, up 25% from 4.9 million last year, when the event aired on a Friday night, but off 14% from 7.1 million in ’07.
Viewership peaked at 9.9 million from 10-10:18 PM. During that 18-minute period, the Spelling Bee was the most watched program in all of television.
Unlike 2007, when the Spelling Bee outdrew LeBron James‘ 48-point Game 5 against the Pistons head-to-head, the NBA more-than-likely beat the Spelling Bee in the ratings race. Each game of the NBA Conference Finals has drawn at least 6.9 million viewers, with the last five games drawing at least 8.7 million.
Magic/Cavaliers Game 5 drew a 7.6 overnight rating on TNT, according to Variety.
