The NBA All-Star Game experimented with a new format this year, but unfortunately, it did not resonate well with the audience. According to a report by Front Office Sports, this year’s All-Star Game recorded the second-lowest average viewership in history, with only the 2023 edition drawing fewer viewers at 4.6 million, compared to the 4.7 million who tuned in to this year’s game on TNT platforms. This marked a significant 13% decrease in viewership compared to the previous year.
In a departure from the traditional single-game format, the league opted for a four-team tournament this year, comprising three games. The unique format dictated that the first team to reach 40 points in each game would emerge victorious. Ultimately, Team Shaq, led by coach Shaquille O’Neal, claimed the top spot after defeating Team Rising Stars and Team Chuck, coached by Charles Barkley.
Over the past three years, the All-Star Game has failed to attract an average audience of six million viewers, a departure from the trend seen in previous years. The All-Star weekend festivities on Saturday night, including the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, and Slam Dunk Contest, also saw a decline in viewership, averaging 3.4 million viewers, marking an all-time low for these events.
This dip in viewership suggests a need for the NBA to reconsider its approach to the All-Star Game and related events to re-engage fans and boost interest in future editions.
