Short on drama and familiar names, the NBA Draft sank to a four-year viewership low.
The 2016 NBA Draft drew a 1.9 final rating and 3.0 million viewers on ESPN Thursday night, down 21% in ratings and 20% in viewership from last year (2.4, 3.7M), down a tick and 13%, respectively, from 2014 (2.3, 3.5M), and the least-watched NBA Draft since 2012 (2.99M to 2.96M).
In addition to the viewership low, the 1.9 rating tied the lowest mark for the draft since 2009 (1.8). Keep in mind the 2009 draft aired on the same night as the death of Michael Jackson, which generated significant breaking news coverage.
In adults 18-49, the draft had a 1.2 rating — down 20% from last year (1.5) and down a tick from 2014 (1.3).
The double-digit declines for the draft came on the heels of a 23% drop for the Draft Lottery back in May.
| NBA DRAFT RATINGS/VIEWERSHIP Dating back to 2008 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | #1 Pick | Rtg. | Vwrs. |
| 2016 | Simmons, PHI | 1.9 | 2.99M |
| 2015 | Towns, MIN | 2.4 | 3.74M |
| 2014 | Wiggins, CLE | 2.3 | 3.45M |
| 2013 | Bennett, CLE | 2.0 | 3.00M |
| 2012 | Davis, NO |
1.9
|
2.96M
|
| 2011 | Irving, CLE |
2.1
|
3.20M
|
| 2010 | Wall, WSH |
1.9
|
2.79M
|
| 2009 | Griffin, LAC |
1.8
|
2.64M
|
| 2008 | Rose, CHI |
2.1
|
2.90M
|
(Thu. numbers via Programming Insider)
