My thinking is that ESPN2 probably started very slow...ESPN2 might have started with about 200K viewers and ending with about 325k-350k in the 2nd half (meaning at 10:00 pm EST)...
...because the referee is the only person in charge of the actual clock, and not the television crew?
Couldn't disagree more. What we saw is that there is more competition with the 9PM Sunday timeslot as opposed to 7 PM. As someone with premium cable, Sunday nights are devoted to HBO and Showtime after 9 pm. I'm not the only person who has that same view. Also, NBCSN continues to promote the hell out of these matches during the Olympics. Some eyeballs are clearly sticking around to catch these games..lead-in or not.
You are disagreeing that the Olympics as a lead are having an affect on NBCSN's numbers? holy hell. Ok, let's make a bet. I will bet that the first 5 games after the Olympic lead ins are over will be lower on average than the 5 previous games with Olympic lead in. Loser does not post on Big Soccer for a year. This should be an easy bet for you considering how strong your disagreement is. I will take these games and you get the next five on NBCSN. Game 19: 392k (2.5) (Dal vs LA) Saturday Game 20: 233k (2.5) (Phi vs NE) Sunday Game 21: 148k (2.5) (Hou vs NY) Friday Game 22: 405k (2.5) (Por vs Dal) Sunday Game 23: ? (NY vs Hou) Friday 8:00pm 8/13/2012
Where on earth did I say that? I was responding to the first sentence of your post, which essentially said that the only reason eyeballs were on NBCSN (and consequently not carrying over ESPN2) was because of the Olympics. Of course lead-in has some effect on the overall number. All I was pointing out is there is more competition for a 9 PM timeslot on the east coast as opposed to a 7pm one. It is also something that you completely ignored.
1) You quoted my entire post of which the point was that the Olympics are having an affect on the ratings. My first sentence in no way, shape or form stated it was the only reason. But I do strongly believe the Olympics are the strongest reason right now for the blips we are seeing on NBCSN. It is no different than the affect the Euro QF lead in had on the ESPN game that drew huge numbers. We have a bunch of data right now that is showing us that lead in may be the biggest factor in a games ability to draw big ratings. 2) The second highest rated game (also fueled by a Olympic lead in) on NBCSN started at 8:00pm, running for 2.5 hours right through the East Coast's prime time. This does not support your supposition IMO. The Olympic lead in is having a massive affect right now. To try to minimize it is silly.
Requesting the source of the recent ESPN2 and NBCSN matches. Just for veracity's sake in referencing this number on other sites.
Agreed. Yeh, I think it's fairly standard to link to your source. While I've never seen any evidence that the info we are getting is wrong, there is absolutely no reason not to provide a link.
I found the ratings here... http://www.tvmediainsights.com/2012/07/major-league-soccer-tv-ratings-in-2012/
Yes. This is the guy from Son of the Bronx who is one of the sources we use. This link has been posted a few times already in this thread. He will periodically update with new numbers. For anyone looking for a linkable source, keep this link above handy. He does not update quickly but he usually gets to it eventually.
I think sometimes there are no links to provide. I have received data in the past directly to my email. I am unsure where Stingbee got the last couple of pieces but he may also have a source that gives him data directly.
Todays update adds in a fun new section to the historical data that takes a look at the ratings for MLS Cup through the years. The rating is available for every game but the number of viewers is only available for some of the games. Sources section has also been updated ============================================================ 2012 Season Home teams listed first NBC Sports Network Game 1: 82k (Dal vs NY). Sunday 3:00pm. 3/11/2012 Game 2: 124/145k (2.5 hour/two hour) (Phi vs Colo) Sunday 4:00pm. 3/18/2012 Game 3: 107k (2.5 hour) (Sea vs Hou) Friday 10:00pm 3/23/2012 Game 4: 76k (?) (DC vs Dal) Friday 7:30pm 3/30/2012 Game 5: 123k (2.5 hour) (LA vs NE) Saturday 11:00pm 3/31/2012 Game 6: 126k/139k (2.5 hour/two hour) (Phi vs Col) Saturday 4:00pm 4/14/2012 Game 7: 79k (2.5 hour) (Chi vs Tor) Saturday 3:30pm 4/21/2012 Game 8: 70k (2.5 hour) (NY vs NE) Saturday 3:30pm 4/28/2012 Game 9: 96k (2.5 hour) (Sea vs Phi) Saturday 4:00pm 5/5/2012 Game 10: 120k (2.5 hour) (Hou vs DC) Saturday 4:30pm 5/12/2012 Game 11: 71k (2.5 hour) (Hou vs LA) Saturday 2:30 5/26/2012 Game 12: 53k (2.5 hour) (KC vs SJ) Sunday 4:40 5/27/2012 Game 13: 63k (2.5 hour) (Chi vs NY) Sunday 5:00pm 6/17/2012 Game 14: 137k (2.5 hour) (NY vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 6/24/2012 Game 15: 133k (2.5 hour) (KC vs Chi) Friday 8:00pm 6/29/2012 Game 16: 151k (2.5 hour) (Sea vs Colo) Saturday 11:00pm 7/7/2012 Game 17: 259k (?) (Por vs LA) Saturday 11:00pm 7/14/2012 Game 18: 60k (2.5 hour) (SJ vs Dal) Wednesday 11:00pm 7/18/2012 Game 19: 392k (2.5) (Dal vs LA) Saturday 8:00pm 7/28/2012 Game 20: 233k (2.5) (Phi vs NE) Sunday 7:00pm 7/29/2012 Game 21: 148k (2.5) (Hou vs NY) Friday 8:00pm 8/3/2012 Game 22: 405k (2.5) (Por vs Dal) Sunday 7:00pm 8/5/2012 Average: 141k (includes the 2.5 hour numbers and the ? numbers) ESPN2 Game 1: 337k (Por vs Phi) Monday 9:30pm 3/12/2012 Game 2: 344k (DC vs NY) Sunday 6:00pm 4/22/2012 Game 3: 275k (Phi vs NY) Sunday 12:30pm 5/13/2012 Game 4: 146k (Chiv vs LA) Saturday 10:30pm 5/19/2012 Game 5: 213k (Hou vs Dal) Saturday 7:30pm 6/16/2012 Game 6: 320k (SJ vs LA) Saturday 10:00pm 6/30/2012 All Star Game: 530k (MLS vs Chelsea) Wednesday 8:30 7/25/2012 Game 7: 270k (Sea vs LA) Sunday 9:00pm 8/5/2012 Average 272k (does not include all star game) ESPN Game 1: 217k (NY vs Colo) Sunday 4:00pm 3/25/2012 Game 2: 215k (KC vs LA) Saturday 4:00pm 4/7/2012* Game 3: 508k (LA vs NY) Saturday 8:00pm 5/5/2012 Game 4: 888k (Por vs Sea) Sunday 5:00pm 6/24/2012** Game 5: 496k (LA vs Chi) Sunday 3:00pm 7/8/2012 Game 6: 344k (NY vs Sea) Sunday 4:00pm 7/15/2012 Game 7: 611k (NY vs Phi) Saturday 2:30pm 7/21/2012 Average 468k ESPN/ESPN2: 14 games, 370k *Was moved from ESPN2 to ESPN **Had a period of time in first half that overlapped with Italy England Euro QF. The 888k represents only the MLS portion of the telecast. It does not include any of the Euro OT or PK ratings. Galavision Game 1: 90k (Chiv vs Hou) Sunday 7:00pm 3/11/2012 Game 2: 77k (LA vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 3/18/2012 Game 3: 24k (KC vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 3/25/2012 Game 4: 31k (Colo vs Chi) Sunday 7:00pm 4/1/2012 Game 5: 45k (Chi vs Hou) Sunday 7:00pm 4/15/2012 Game 6: 34k (Dal vs Colo) Sunday 7:00pm 5/6/2012 Game 7: 66k (SJ vs Chiv) Sunday 7:00pm 5/13/2012 Game 8: ?? (Por vs Chi) Sunday 7:00pm 5/20/2012 Game 9: 23k (Phi vs DC) Saturday 7:00pm 6/16/2012 Game 10: 47k (Dal vs Chiv) Saturday 9:00pm 6/23/2012 Game 11: 44k (Tor vs NY) Saturday 9:00pm 6/30/2012 Game 12: 52k (Hou vs DC) Sunday 9:00pm 7/15/2012 Average (for 11 games): 48k Telefutura All Star Game: 358k (MLS vs Chelsea) Wednesday 8:30 7/25/2012 ============================= Historical Data MLS Cup Through the Years 2011 Sun., 11/20/11 Galaxy/Rapids ESPN 0.8 2010 Sun., 11/21/10 Rapids/FC Dallas ESPN 0.4 748k 2009 Sun., 11/22/09 Real Salt Lake/Galaxy ESPN 0.7 1.141M 2008 Sun., 11/23/08 Crew/Red Bulls ABC 0.6 907k 2007 Sun., 11/18/07 Dynamo/Revolution ABC 0.8 1.097M 2006 Sun., 11/12/06 Revolution/Dynamo ABC 0.8 1.245M 2005 Sun., 11/13/05 Galaxy/Revolution ABC 0.8 1.137M 2004 Sun., 11/14/04 Wizards/United ABC 0.8 2003 Sun., 11/23/03 Fire/Earthquakes ABC 0.6 876K 2002 Sun., 10/20/02 Revolution/Galaxy ABC 0.8 1.169M 2001 Sun., 10/21/01 Galaxy/Earthquakes ABC 1.0 2000 Sun., 10/15/00 Fire/Wizards ABC 0.7 1999 Sun., 11/21/99 United/Galaxy ABC 0.7 1998 Sun., 10/25/98 Fire/United ABC 1.0 1997 Sun., 10/26/97 Rapids/United ABC 1.4 1996 Sun., 10/20/96 United/Galaxy ABC 1.4 2011 Final TV Rating Averages ESPN: 4 games: 498k ESPN2: 17 games: 238k ESPN/ESPN2: 21 games: 288k FSC: 29 games: 71k Galavision: 18 games: 72k Telefutura: 12 games 233K rating All Star Game vs Man United: 781k Wed 8:30pm July 27, 2011 on ESPN2 2010 Final Ratings ESPN2: 25 games 249K FSC: 25 games 53k Telefutura: 23 games 211k All Star Game vs Man United: 714k Wed July 28, 2010 on ESPN2 2009 Final Ratings ESPN2: 22 games 284 FSC: 32 game 53k Telefutura: 24 games 229k All Star Game vs Everton: 484k Wed July 29, 2009 on ESPN2 2008 Final Ratings ESPN2: 27 games 253k (dedicated Thursday night slot) Telefutura: 26 games 254k 2007 Final Ratings ESPN2: 26 games 289k (dedicated Thursday night slot) Telefutura: 24 games 282k 2006 Final Ratings ESPN2 21 games 263k ================================= Sources (while they last) http://www.tvmediainsights.com/2012/07/major-league-soccer-tv-ratings-in-2012/ http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/.../ESPN-Booting-MLS-From-Its-Thursday-Slot.aspx http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/02/AR2007050202740.html http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2011/10/26/Research-and-Ratings/MLS-TV.aspx http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/...LS-Attendance-TV-Viewership-Numbers-Slip.aspx http://www.rslsoapbox.com/2012/3/22...ruggles-on-nbc-sports-while-real-salt-lake-on http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2010/11/record-low-rating-for-2010-mls-cup/ http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2010/07/big-jump-for-mls-all-star-game/ https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/mls-tv-ratings.1845021/#post-24631720 https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/tv-ratings.1742835/page-6#post-24233078
Minor edit: LA played Houston (not the Rapids) in MLS Cup last season. Thanks for the weekly updates. Great work, as always, MLSFan123.
Exactly, why is he on about flow of the game all the time? So he thinks it's a good idea that instead of hearing about the substitution, injury? tactical? formation changes? who's in? Who's out? We cut to an advert for car insurance because "There is no flow of the game" It's a good idea that instead of taking in the atmosphere after a goal is scored and seeing the replays and hearing the analysis we cut away for another advert because, "There is no flow of the game" The only time it may make any sense to cut away from the game is with a prolonged injury but you are still cutting away from the game experience - it is as if the guy doesn't understand why adverts in a movie break the immersion. Anyway how do you sell advertising space that may not be used? What if there are no prolonged injuries? Dumber than dumb and anyway who the ******** argues for more adverts in our entertainment? Oh yeah, you argued against yourself, I pos repped you for it.
It was always going to crush the ESPN2 game and I think it is safe to say we know the lead in is a big factor for increased numbers on NBCSN. Comparing like for like the ESPN2 number was a little disappointing but the games were televised back to back were they not? It could well be many people figured they would only take in one game that evening and watch Olympics for the rest. I guess we will juts have to wait until the lead in quality, as you put it, is not a factor before we know if MLS has increased it's base viewer numbers.
The two games were not only back to back but they overlapped by about 15 minutes due to NBCSN always starting 15 minutes later to handle the pregame.
Many/most of the MLS Cup finals were also carried on some Spanish-language channel as well, right? Any chance those historical numbers could be tracked down (to supplement the English-language broadcast audience)?
Were there no regular season games on ESPN in these years, or do we just not have access to that ratings info?
2009 and 2010 There was only 1 game (regular season) for each year, I have never been able to find the ratings, I used to have an article where it was the relative rating for the 2010 game (down 12% or something like that) from the 2009 game. So if some one can find the rating for the 2009 game, we could deduct (if I can find that article again) the rating for 2010. I think the game was Seattle vs Chicago. (2009).
If you find them, let me know and I will add to the list. This is an ongoing community project and I will add anything people find that is half way reliable.