The television ratings in the United States for the 2010 FIFA World Cup continue to be very strong and encouraging for the future of the sport. The 2-2 draw with Slovenia drew over 5 millions viewers on ESPN which ranks it the third highest soccer match ever shown on ESPN. It is first in total households with around 3.9 million. Considering it was an early start time (10 am eastern, 7 am western) and on a weekday (Friday) the number is very strong.
It may not seem like an overwhelming number of viewer considering the overall population of the USA but it’s a very strong rating for a sport that is not yet in the top 3 or 4. Below are more details of the broadcast courtesy of a press release from ESPN.
(courtesy of ESPN press release)
Friday morning’s United States vs. Slovenia FIFA World Cup match on ESPN – in which the Americans overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to earn a 2-2 draw – is the most-watched soccer game among households in the history of ESPN networks – 3,906,000, based on a 3.9 fast national rating for the two-hour contest (10 a.m. ET – noon). It ranks third most-watched among viewers (P2+ – 5,200,000), behind the Germany/Italy semifinal (5,850,000) on July 4, 2006, and the US/Germany quarterfinal on June 21, 2002 (5,335,000).
Through Friday, June 18 and 23 games on ABC and ESPN, the 2010 World Cup is averaging a 1.9 U.S. rating (for the two-hour match window) — up 60% from 2006 (1.2). Household impressions are up 66% (from 1,336,000 to 2,333,000) and P2+ impressions are up 71% (from 1,720,000 to 2,950,000).
San Diego was the top market for yesterday’s Team USA game, delivering an 8.5 rating – all the more impressive considering the 7 a.m. local start time. Rounding out the top five were Washington, DC (6.4), Miami (6.2), West Palm Beach (5.9), and San Francisco (5.7). San Diego was also the top market for the USA/England game on ABC (11.5).
