Another busy week highlighted by the UEFA Champions League on network TV and the return of MLS. Before we get to the numbers... something new this year; below the normal weekly table I'll post up running averages by soccer league this year.
NOTES:
• MLS had an opening weekend to forget - ESPN's game did poorly. Out of 112 ESPN programs rated last week, MLS landed 103rd for their opener on ESPN (the pregame show finished 109th).
• MLS had the lowest viewership of all ESPN programs on Sunday, Feb 7. This happens to MLS often and I feel that it has the network re-evaluating their relationship with the league.
• On aggregate, MLS opened 30% down over last year when comparing like for like openers. Last year the league started in April.
• The Champions League again tops the chart. This week featured two popular Premier League games so the numbers ticked up a bit from last week.
• TUDN's Liga MX coverage YOY has returned to zero. Until two weeks ago, it was trending down.
• Premier League is up 14% now YOY when looking at USA Network v NBCSN.
• Last note: US Soccer secured (effectively) their first TV deal outside the bubble of SUM (/MLS). It is between $25-27m a year for 8 years with WarnerMedia. It starts next year. WarnerMedia will use the games across multiple platforms (network and streaming).
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| US Cable Viewership: Soccer Programs Feb 22-28 |
| | | |
| Viewers (000) | Event/Game | Network | Date |
| 856 | UEFA CHAMP LEAGUE - ATHLETICO/MAN UNITED | CBS | 2/23 |
| 777 | UEFA CHAMP LEAGUE - CHELSEA / LILLE | CBS | 2/22 |
| 477 | PREMIER LEAGUE L: WATFORD/MAN UNITED | USA | 2/26 |
| 436 | MLS SOCCER - PORTLAND / NEW ENGLAND | FOX | 2/26 |
| 364 | LIGA MX SAT: UNAM / AMERICA | TUDN | 2/26 |
| 323 | PREMIER LEAGUE L: TOTTENHAM/LEEDS | USA | 2/26 |
| 320 | LIGA MX SUN: CRUZ AZUL / SANTOS | TUDN | 2/27 |
| 317 | PREMIER LEAGUE L: WOLVES/WEST HAM | USA | 2/27 |
| 307 | PREMIER LG LIVE STUDIO | USA | 2/26 |
| 295 | USA SOCCER MEN L | ESPN2 | 2/23 |
| 267 | PREMIER LG LIVE STUDIO | USA | 2/26 |
| 201 | LIGA MX L: QUERETARO / TOLUCA | TUDN | 2/24 |
| 194 | LIGA MX L: FC JUAREZ / TIGRES | TUDN | 2/25 |
| 190 | MLS REGULAR SEASON L | ESPN | 2/27 |
| 187 | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: ATLETICO / MAN UTD | TUDN | 2/23 |
| 181 | PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL ZONE | USA | 2/27 |
| 179 | FUT-EST-CHIVAS-TEL-UNVSO: GUADA VS PUEBLA | UNIVERSO | 2/26 |
| 174 | MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER: ATLANTA/KANSAS CITY | FS1 | 2/27 |
| 168 | PREMIER LEAGUE L: NORWICH/SOUTHAMPTON | USA | 2/25 |
| 161 | UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE 1: NAPOLI / BARCELONA | TUDN | 2/24 |
| 161 | LIGA MX L: NECAXA / LEON | TUDN | 2/25 |
| 153 | MLS REG SEASON PRELUDE L | ESPN | 2/27 |
| 138 | PREMIER LG LIVE STUDIO | USA | 2/27 |
| 137 | UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: VILLARREAL/JUVE | TUDN | 2/22 |
| 120 | LIGA MX L: PACHUCA / MAZATLAN | TUDN | 2/24 |
| 113 | MEXICAN FIRST DIVISION: MONTERREY/ATLETICO | ESPN DEP | 2/26 |
| 87 | FUTBOL CENTRAL L | TUDN | 2/27 |
| 82 | LIGA MX: TIJUANA VS ATLAS | FOX DEP | 2/25 |
sources: showbuzzdaily, spoilertv, helltown
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As promised - The current averages (English language only) for soccer programs on TV. Broadcast events have been tagged as such. MLS highlighted.
Avg (000s) : Program
999 : EPL - Broadcast
817 : UEFA Champions League
785 : World Cup Qualifiers
748 : UEFA Champions League - Broadcast
436 : MLS - Broadcast
319 : Premier League
295 : USMNT
215 : USWNT
173 : General Soccer
172 : MLS
171 : Super Copa
118 : FIFA Club World Cup
38 : Ligue 1
Concacaf Champions League has only pulled a number on Span-lang TV (TUDN). FS2 has carried all the games except one. None have finished in the top 150 on the day they aired.
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