The ratings are in for the 2023 installment of the NBA All-Star Game -- and it isn't pretty.
The annual exhibition -- this time held at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz -- set a new record-low, by a "wide margin," according to Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch:
Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game averaged a combined 2.2 rating and 4.59 million viewers across TNT and TBS, making it easily the lowest rated and least-watched edition of the game. The previous lows were a 3.1 (2021 and 2022) and around six million viewers (2021).
The 2.2 rating marked a 29% decline from last year, the steepest year-over-year dip in over two decades. In last season's All-Star Game, Steph Curry hit 16 3-pointers en route to 50 points and game MVP honors.
It was unclear exactly what accounted for the nosedive in viewership, but Lewis noted that a relatively lack of star power could have played a role.
Warriors superstar Stephen Curry was out on account of a leg injury, while team captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo exited the contest early with hand and wrist injuries, respectively.
The game's relatively meager viewership put it well behind both the MLB All-Star Game, which remains the most popular among the big three sports, and the NFL's reconstituted Pro Bowl, the report said. This year, the traditional Pro Bowl game was scrapped in favor of a skills competitions and flag football contest.
However, the NBA isn't alone in its apparent dwindling fan interest in the All-Star Game. Last season's MLB All-Star Game also drew a record low rating.
Also seeing a year-over-year decline in ratings were the annual Rising Stars Challenge and the All-Star Saturday Night events, where the Dunk Contest is staged.
Interestingly, though, the Celebrity Game was the only event from the weekend which saw an increase in viewership from last year. The game was broadcast by ESPN.
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