Cable Soccer Viewership, Apr 13-19

The 2021 MLS season finally kicked off last week with two games on traditional broadcast TV as well as a smattering of cable appearances. I think the best way you might be able to describe opening weekend is "mixed," (Sports Media Watch). 

Here's a list of notes on the leagues opening weekend...

1. The FOX broadcast of LAFC v Austin league opener (585k, 0.24) was down 48% in ratings and 36% in viewership compared to last year's opener on FOX. The match was heavy on the celebrity promotion of Will Ferrell and Matthew McConaughey and less about soccer. There were plenty of "alright, alright, alrights" on the night by the broadcast booth as well as in the studio which makes sense as the two movie stars that might resonate with fans (and clearly these pundits) in their mid 30s and up but not something that will do much for a significantly sized younger audience that MLS has/courts.

2. ABC's match was about the same with 482k watching the Miami v. LA Galaxy match on ABC. There was no match on ABC for the opening weekend last year.

3. The ATL v. ORL match on TUDN did not register in the top 150 cable programs on April 17 which is somewhat surprising because Atlanta seems to do well on TUDN.

4. The two MLS games on FS1 came in 17th and 21st for the week on cable.

It was a very busy week for soccer overall. Liga MX teams topping the list in both league play and CCL action. It was a down week for the PL on cable. Outside of the Manchester United match (who always pull numbers), there isn't much to comment on.

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US Cable Viewership: Soccer Programs Apr 13 - Apr 19

Viewers (000)	Event/Game	Network	Date
430	LIGA MX SAT: AMERICA / CRUZ AZUL	TUDN	Apr 17, 21
416	PREMIER LEAGUE L: BURNLEY/MAN UNITED	NBCSN	Apr 18, 21
354	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: N/A	TUDN	Apr 14, 21
294	CONCACAF CHAMPIONS L: AMERICA / CD OLIMPIA	TUDN	Apr 14, 21
292	LIGA MX L: MAZATLAN / ATLAS	TUDN	Apr 16, 21
288	LIGA MX L: FC JUAREZ / TIGRES	TUDN	Apr 14, 21
277	UEFA CHAMP LEAGUE TUE 1: PSG VS BAYERN	TUDN	Apr 13, 21
244	LIGA MX: MONTERREY VS PACHUCA	FOX DEP	Apr 18, 21
240	PREMIER LG LIVE STUDIO	NBCSN	Apr 18, 21
231	PREMIER LEAGUE L: FULHAM/ARSENAL	NBCSN	Apr 18, 21
208	LIGA MX L: PACHUCA / PUEBLA	TUDN	Apr 12, 21
196	CONCACAF CHAMPIONS L: N/A	TUDN	Apr 13, 21
195	PREMIER LEAGUE L: TOTTENHAM/EVERTON	NBCSN	Apr 16, 21
187	LIGA MX: SANTOS VS TOLUCA	FOX DEP	Apr 18, 21
183	PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL ZONE	NBCSN	Apr 18, 21
182	PREMIER LEAGUE L: WEST HAM/NEWCASTLE	NBCSN	Apr 17, 21
163	MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER L: SOUNDERS/MINN	FS1	Apr 16, 21
162	PREMIER LG LIVE STUDIO	NBCSN	Apr 17, 21
162	LALIGA SANTANDER MRQ-L: GETAFE V REAL	BEIN ESP	Apr 18, 21
161	LIGA MX L: ATLETICO SAN LUIS / PUEBLA	TUDN	Apr 17, 21
158	MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER L: CREW/PHILADELPHIA	FS1	Apr 18, 21
151	PREMIER LEAGUE L: EVERTON/BRIGHTON	NBCSN	Apr 12, 21
141	LIGA MX L: NECAXA / QUERETARO	TUDN	Apr 16, 21
139	FUTBOL CENTRAL L	TUDN	Apr 13, 21
136	CONCACAF CHAMPIONS L: MONTERREY / PANTOJA	TUDN	Apr 15, 21
134	CONCACAF CHAMP LEAGUE:ATL/ALAJUELENSE	FS1	Apr 13, 21
125	LIGA MX SUN: UNAM / TIGRES	TUDN	Apr 18, 21
124	CONCACAF CHAMPIONS L: N/A	TUDN	Apr 13, 21
110	PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL ZONE	NBCSN	Apr 16, 21
109	CONCACAF CHAMPIONS L: TORONTO / LEON	TUDN	Apr 14, 21
106	CONCACAF CHAMP LEAGUE:PDX/MARATHON	FS1	Apr 13, 21
105	FUT-EST-CHIVAS-TEL-UNVSO: GUADA V TIJUANA	UNIVERSO	Apr 17, 21
104	CONCACAF CHAMP LEAGUE L: R16:PHIL/SAPRISSA	FS1	Apr 14, 21
97	UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAG 21 DT: BORUSSIA V MAN C	GALAV	Apr 14, 21
95	CONCACAF CHAMPIONS L: N/A	TUDN	Apr 13, 21
95	FUTBOL CENTRAL L	TUDN	Apr 17, 21
75	MLS REGULAR SEASON    L: MIAMI /LA GALAXY	FOX DEP	Apr 15, 21
66	UEFA EUROPA LEAG 21 DT: A.S. ROMA VS AJAX	GALAV	Apr 15, 21
55	LALIGA SANTANDER MRQ-L: GETAFE V REAL	BEIN	Apr 18, 21

Source: ShowBuzzDaily