After American Pharoah sent ratings to a 20-year high last year, the Breeders Cup sank back to earth this time around. In other news, ESPN scored big gains for NBA action on Friday, and the latest NASCAR rainout finished shy of two million viewers on NBCSN.
Breeders Cup Ratings Down Big
- The Breeders Cup Classic earned a 1.5 final rating and 2.3 million viewers on NBC Saturday night, down 42% in ratings and 41% in viewership from last year, when Triple Crown winner American Pharoah lifted ratings to a 20-year high (2.6). Compared to 2014, ratings fell 12% and viewership 13% from a 1.7 and 2.6 million. (via Programming Insider 11/8)
Big Gains For NBA Friday on ESPN
- Friday’s Warriors/Lakers NBA regular season game had a 1.5 final rating and 2.5 million viewers on ESPN, up 86% in viewership from Rockets/Kings last year, ratings for which were unavailable (1.3M). Compared to Cavaliers/Nuggets in 2014, ratings dropped a tick but viewership increased 5% from a 1.6 and 2.4 million. Earlier in the night, Knicks/Bulls had a 1.3 and 2.0 million — up 40% in viewership from Heat/Pacers last year (1.4M) and up 30% and 37%, respectively, from Grizzlies/Thunder in ’14 (1.0, 1.5M). (via Programming Insider 11/7)
1.8M For Delayed NASCAR on NBCSN
- NASCAR Sprint Cup racing from Texas, the seventh race in the Chase For the Cup had a 1.1 final rating and 1.8 million viewers on NBCSN Sunday night. The race was originally scheduled to air during the day on NBC, with rain delay coverage earning a 1.2 and 1.8 million on the broadcast outlet. Last year’s race, which aired as scheduled, had a 2.7 and 4.6 million. (via ShowBuzz Daily 11/8)
