NFL Combine ratings dipped on NFL Network. In other news, the Yankees have been a strong Spring Training draw, American Cup gymnastics hit at least a ten-year low, and NASCAR’s Xfinity Series sank double-digits for a third straight week.
Slight Dip in NFL Combine Audience
Coverage of the NFL Combine averaged a 0.17 rating and 267,000 viewers on NFL Network, down 3% in viewership from last year (276K) but up 19% from 2016 (225K). Last Saturday’s window, which included the quarterback, wide receiver and tight end workouts, was the top draw with a 0.24 (-8%) and 389,000 (-4%).
Yankees Boost YES — and SNY
Wednesday’s Mets-Yankees MLB Spring Training game had a 2.05 rating on SNY in New York, the highest rated Spring Training game on any N.Y. RSN since 2009. Because YES Network did not televise the game, the audience undoubtedly included more than a fair share of Yankee fans (SNY is the Mets broadcaster).
The numbers continued a run of strong preseason results for Yankees. On Sunday, YES Network drew a 1.61 rating ands 145,000 viewers for Rays-Yankees, its highest rated and most-watched Spring Training matchup since 2013. In addition, YES earned its two highest weekday afternoon Spring Training ratings ever for the Yankees against the Braves last Friday (1.38) and Tigers on February 23 (1.36).
Gymnastics’ American Cup Hits Low
Last Sunday’s American Cup gymnastics competition had a 0.67 rating and 982,000 viewers on NBC, down 11% in ratings and 6% in viewership from last year (0.75, 1.0M) and down 18% and 17% respectively from 2016 (0.8, 1.2M). It was the lowest rated American Cup in at least a decade and the least-watched since at least 2009.
NASCAR Xfinity Series Down Again
The NASCAR Xfinity Series from Las Vegas earned a 0.8 rating and 1.3 million viewers on FS1 last Saturday, down 20% in ratings and 22% in viewership from last year (1.0, 1.620M) and down 20% and 23% respectively from 2016 (1.0, 1.623M). All three Xfinity Series races this season have declined double-digits.
[Numbers from NFL, ShowBuzz Daily 3.8]
