For a game that ‘nobody watches’, the NFL’s Pro Bowl continues to attract big numbers. Final ratings for the game are already available, but first here is the overnight.
The 2011 NFL Pro Bowl earned an 8.6 overnight rating on FOX Sunday night, up 8% from last year (8.0, ESPN), and up 48% from 2009 (5.8, NBC).
This marks the highest overnight for the Pro Bowl since 2000 (8.7, ABC).
The 8.6 overnight for the Pro Bowl is the highest for any All-Star game in over 18 months — since the 2009 MLB All-Star Game (10.4).
Though big for the Pro Bowl, Sunday’s 8.6 overnight is the second-lowest of the 2010-11 NFL season on FOX, ahead of only regional action in Week 6 (ATL/PHI*: 8.5).
On a packed sports weekend, the Pro Bowl was dominant in the overnights, topping the next best event — Celtics/Lakers on ABC — by 72%.
Of note: Reports have last year’s Pro Bowl on ESPN drawing an 8.0 overnight. Last year, ESPN reported the Pro Bowl drew a 7.9 overnight.
