Disney XD added only a tenth of a ratings point to the ABC/ESPN figure yesterday (5.6)GETTY IMAGES
The Pro Bowl drew a 5.7 overnight rating yesterday afternoon, which was aired in English across ABC, ESPN and Disney XD. That figure is down from a 5.9 last year on ABC and ESPN, which had been the game’s best figure since ’14 (6.7 on NBC, and up against the Grammys). The ’17 Pro Bowl aired in primetime on ESPN, drawing a 4.6 overnight. Disney XD added only a tenth of a ratings point to the ABC/ESPN figure yesterday (5.6), as the kids-focused cable net was carrying the Pro Bowl for the first time. Across all three nets, K.C. was the top market yesterday, drawing a 13.9 rating with several Chiefs players in the game. The No. 2 market was Pittsburgh (8.6), followed by Norfolk at an 8.2 (Austin Karp, THE DAILY).
FITTING ENDING? In N.Y., Joseph Staszewski writes the Pro Bowl ended up being a "cringeworthy way for Jason Witten to finish his tough first year as a broadcaster." Witten "accidentally separated" the top of the Pro Bowl trophy from its base while presenting it to Jets S Jamal Adams and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Witten also "made an error" while giving analysis on a touchdown pass from Mahomes to Colts TE Eric Ebron. He said, “Ebron was his guy all year.” The two players had never played a game on the same team until yesterday. Witten corrected himself later in the broadcast (N.Y. POST, 1/28). In DC, Des Beiler writes the Pro Bowl was in some ways a "fitting end to what was a rough debut season" for Witten (WASHINGTON POST, 1/28).
NOT THE BEST SHOW OF FOOTBALL: The AFC beat the NFC 26-7 in "far from ideal conditions" due to constant rain and temperatures in the 50s (AP, 1/27). Officials "blew plays dead before tackles, defensive and offensive players switched sides, and Pro Bowl caliber players didn't look like it" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 1/27). Many people on Twitter took note of the subpar effort being put out, with Pro Football HOFer and NFL Network's Deion Sanders writing, "I’m sorry but this Pro Bowl has turned into a walk thru and it’s ridiculous. If u ain’t gonna compete what are u doing it for,the check? When did it become what it is now? Help me understand a team full of great players not wanting to see who’s the best!" FS1's Skip Bayless: "That's it. Eliminate the Pro Bowl." Author Ken Jennings: "I identify with the Pro Bowl more than any other sports event because it’s all guys who didn’t want to be playing today." Former NFLer Shawne Merriman: "You get 20K for going to the Pro Bowl and 40K for winning. After you fly your friends and family out you almost break even at 20K. So for 40K I’m trying to knock your whole head off to get my money back." The Athletic's Richard Deitsch: "The Pro Bowl drew 8.6 million viewers last year for ESPN/ABC. They will never end this game." The MMQB's Andrew Brandt: "That day of the year when millions who watch the NFL Pro Bowl complain about the NFL Pro Bowl" (TWITTER.com, 1/27).
