GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 25: Team Irvin quarterback Tony Romo #9 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass during the first half of the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 25, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
2016By Ken Fang on

We at Awful Announcing are always amazed at the Pro Bowl viewership every year. The exhibition game which has no bearing on the regular or postseason seems to have a loyal 10 million viewers watching which seems to be 10 million too many. But the NFL seems to be committed to playing the game and having one of its TV partners airing it every year. In the current TV contact, ESPN has the misfortune has the honors of televising the Pro Bowl every year and it also means having some shoulder programming as well.

Last Wednesday, January 27, ESPN2 aired what was called “The Pro Bowl Draft Show” where the players who were either voted in or named as replacements to those voted in but not participating (i.e. Tom Brady who hasn’t played since 1952) were selected by “captains” Jerry Rice and Michael Irvin. This was a show that somehow filled a two-hour hole (7:30-9:30 p.m. ET).

Other national sports programs airing on national cable last Wednesday, were an NBA doubleheader on the ESPN Mothership, the Australian Open women’s semifinals, an NHL doubleheader on NBCSN and college basketball on ESPNU. It was quite a diverse lineup for a late January day.

According to Sports TV Ratings, “The Pro Bowl Draft Show” garnered a viewership of 557,000 which placed eleventh of all sports programs. It was behind the NBA doubleheader on ESPN (Dallas-Golden State and Houston-San Antonio) which placed 1-2, Pardon the Interruption, a late night SportsCenter, the Australian Open women’s semis, Around the Horn, NBA Countdown, two more editions of SportsCenter and Highly Questionable.

Finishing below the Pro Bowl Draft was NBCSN’s NHL Wednesday Night Rivalry game of Philadelphia-Washington with 543,000 viewers, NFL Live, First Take (?????) and five more editions of SportsCenter.

Now the NHL can say it finished right behind the Pro Draft (557K-543K), but to be beaten out by what was in essence a televised fantasy draft is a bit sad. We know some of you will snark in the comments (“Is the NHL still playing,” “I didn’t know the NHL was a sport,” “Who cares?”), but this tells us a few things:

  • The NFL no matter if it’s an artificial event like the Pro Bowl Draft will somehow get ratings]
  • The NHL still has a ways to go to gain respect
  • ESPN is willing to air anything opposite the NHL knowing it will beat the NHL; and
  • Despite what America says publicly about the Pro Bowl, people will watch

So as we sit here on Pro Bowl Sunday getting ready for the big exhibition game to be-played in Honolulu, we at Awful Announcing will wait for this year’s viewership and be no longer surprised at the numbers it draws annually. Remember, you did this, America. It’s something of which that we should be not proud.

[Sports TV Ratings]

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

View all posts by Ken Fang

Comments are closed.