MLS TV Ratings

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by Revolt, Mar 12, 2012.

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  1. stingbee30

    stingbee30 Member

    Mar 16, 2006
    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)...
     
  2. looknohands

    looknohands Member+

    Apr 23, 2009
    Louisville, KY
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    ...because the referee is the only person in charge of the actual clock, and not the television crew?
     
  3. lfcli30

    lfcli30 Member

    Jun 21, 2005
    New York
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  4. Dirt McGirt

    Dirt McGirt Member+

    Jun 20, 2005
    Phoenix, AZ
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    This.
     
  5. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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
     
  6. lfcli30

    lfcli30 Member

    Jun 21, 2005
    New York
    Club:
    Liverpool FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  7. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  8. Kejsare

    Kejsare Member+

    Portland Timbers
    Mar 10, 2010
    Virginia
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Requesting the source of the recent ESPN2 and NBCSN matches. Just for veracity's sake in referencing this number on other sites.
     
  9. RfrancisR

    RfrancisR Member+

    Aug 7, 2006
    New Orleans Diaspora
    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.
     
  10. bbsbt

    bbsbt Member+

    Feb 26, 2003
    Stopping the clock may not interrupt the flow of the game that much... but commercials do.
     
  11. AZUL GALAXY

    AZUL GALAXY Member

    Aug 28, 2009
    Los Angeles
    Club:
    CDSC Cruz Azul
    Still missing the rating for GALAXY vs CHIVAS on 7-21-2012 TELEFUTURA
     
  12. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  13. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  14. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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
     
    Revolt, Mucky and Stupid_American repped this.
  15. Stupid_American

    Stupid_American Member+

    Jan 8, 2003
    New York, NY
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Minor edit: LA played Houston (not the Rapids) in MLS Cup last season.

    Thanks for the weekly updates. Great work, as always, MLSFan123.
     
  16. Mucky

    Mucky Member+

    Mar 30, 2009
    Manchester England
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    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?:mad:

    Oh yeah, you argued against yourself, I pos repped you for it.:rolleyes:
     
    derek750 and Dirt McGirt repped this.
  17. Mucky

    Mucky Member+

    Mar 30, 2009
    Manchester England
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    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.
     
  18. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanks for catching, I will update my summary now and will be fixed the next time I post.
     
  19. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     
  20. tab5g

    tab5g Member+

    May 17, 2002
    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)?
     
  21. RerunStubs

    RerunStubs Member

    Dec 8, 2006
    Were there no regular season games on ESPN in these years, or do we just not have access to that ratings info?
     
  22. crookeddy

    crookeddy Member+

    Apr 27, 2004
    I hate that there are still record from 1996 (like most watched final). Will we ever top it on ESPN?
     
  23. ceezmad

    ceezmad Member+

    Mar 4, 2010
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Red Stars
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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).
     
  24. MLSFan123

    MLSFan123 Member+

    Mar 21, 2011
    Boston Area
    Club:
    New England Revolution
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    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.
     

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