The NBA All-Star weekend, an annual extravaganza of basketball events that showcase the league’s top players, has seen a record drop in viewership for its 2023 edition.
The NBA All-Star weekend is usually one of the most anticipated events in the basketball calendar, with fans eagerly waiting to see their favorite players compete in events such as the Slam Dunk contest, Three-Point Shootout, and the All-Star Game. However, this year’s event failed to attract the same level of interest, with many fans and analysts citing the lack of star power and the new format as major factors.
It was revealed following the game that the 2023 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 6.1 million (2021) – the ratings declined 29% and viewership 27% from last year’s All-Star Game.
It is assumed that the views plummeted to a record low for a number of factors.
A factor that might have contributed to the decline in viewership was the absence of some of the league’s top players, including Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and James Harden, who all missed the All-Star game due to injuries or personal reasons. These players are known to draw a significant amount of attention to the event and their absence was sorely felt by fans.
Furthermore, the newly introduced format of the All-Star game did not sit well with many viewers. The format involves two teams, which are selected by the two players who received the most fan votes in each conference. The captains then chose their teammates in a NBA All-Star draft moments before the game, which might have played a factor in the low viewership.
In conclusion, the NBA All-Star weekend ratings for 2023 have plummeted to a record low, raising concerns about the future of the event. While there were several factors that contributed to this decline, including the absence of star players, and the format of the game, it is clear that the NBA will need to make significant changes if it hopes to attract more viewers in the future.
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