MLS Ratings on ESPN2 up since WC

[jmeissen0]

that first quarter had 3 us soccer matches make the top 10... 1, 3, and 10 for the rankings

the second quarter had a us soccer match at #1 and a highlight show at #10 (15 minutes???)


First Quarter
#1 1:00pm - 3:00pm 02/03 Sat 1.8 (what was this???)
#3 4:30pm - 6:30pm 02/28 Weds 1.6 (US vs Mexico at Columbus)
#10 2:30pm 4:30pm 01/27 Sat 1.1

Second Quarter
#1 4:30p 6:30p 25-Apr Weds 1.8
#10 1:45p 2:00p 02-May Weds 1.3 (highlight show)


what was the highlight show of??

[dawgpound2]

That 15 minutes of highlights must have been after a Champions League game?!?

[ThreeApples]

Originally posted by jmeissen0
First Quarter
#1 1:00pm - 3:00pm 02/03 Sat 1.8 (what was this???)

USA 0-1 Colombia at the Orange Bowl


#10 2:30pm 4:30pm 01/27 Sat 1.1

USA 2-1 China at the Oakland Coliseum

Second Quarter
#1 4:30p 6:30p 25-Apr Weds 1.8

USA 1-0 Costa Rica at Arrowhead

[meg4food]

Little League "World Series" kicks ass on ESPN2. Would a telecast of the best U.S. U-13 side against the best the world has to offer draw similar interest? Could it match the LLWS for scandals?

[SpeakEasy8]

Originally posted by superdave
You know, with the advent of SUM, getting $$ for TV rights might not be part of the plan. If ratings go up, SUM can leverage ad sales and sponsorships in a way ESPN2 never could. And SUM ought to be able to sell ads for soccer broadcasts more efficiently than ESPN2 (since they'd already have the relationships.)

What I'm trying to say is, for the foreseeable future, it's probably win-win for ESPN2 to continue to get the guaranteed, low hassle income from a timebuy, and for SUM to reap the benefits of higher ratings.

That won't be the case if ratings go way, way up, but so long as ratings are slowly but surely going up, SUM and ESPN/2 may both benefit from the timebuy.

While that may be true in the short-term, I am sure in the long-term MLS will want primetime coverage. For a weekly primetime spot MLS would need to strike a deal.

[soccer4ever]

Originally posted by vw
The link below gives the Top 10 rated programs on ESPN and ESPN2 for each quarter in 2001. Interestingly, several soccer broadcasts made the list.

http://www.timewarnersd.com/espn2001.htm

These are 2001 numbers. It'd be interesting to see the 2002 numbers.

[USAsoccer]

If I am looking at these numbers, I come away with the following:

1) The NFL is worth what ESPN is paying it.

2) Baseball holds its own, compared to anyone else.

3) Why are we paying Hockey 600 million, when Soccer (getting nothing) gets better numbers, in worse time slots.

If I where soccer, I would take those numbers to the bank (speaking of USSF here). It would appear that no other sports (save little league-keep in mind the scandal that had EVERYONE watching it last year!) can draw US Soccer numbers on the duece.

Arguably, Soccer and Baseball are ESPN TOP two draws for Quarter 1 through Quarter 2.

These numbers are incredibly fascinating.

If the World Cup numbers exceed everything except the NFL in Prime Time during the Fall, when TV numbers are the highest, then SUM should take those numbers to the bank, and DEMAND NFL type revenues!

I am not talking Fantasy here. I am talking COLD HARD CASH.

This was very EYE opening :p

[Northside Rovers]

Are those just San Diego numbers or nationwide?

You can also see how everything falls off the radar when the NFL gets going.

[kenntomasch]

Originally posted by kwikstah
Dude, these numbers are still pathetic.

Looked like more on TV.

[kenntomasch]

Originally posted by Northside Rovers
Are those just San Diego numbers or nationwide?

You can also see how everything falls off the radar when the NFL gets going.

They appear to be San Diego numbers only. There's a note at the bottom of each that says:

"Nielsen TV Data Sample: 369 Reporting HH"

That's right, 369 reporting households.

Stan's right, these numbers are well within the methodology's margin for error (luckily, the discussions of Nielsen's methodology were all lost in The Crash, thank God), but they're better than a sharp stick in the eye. And at least it gives us some numbers, which we didn't have before.

[detter7]

The news is publicity, and even if the numbers are pathetic, they show publicity. Any publicity is good publicity.

[monster]

Just for comparison, from two Soccer America Confidentials I so geekily saved from last year:

2001 on ESPN = 0.256 rating (210,000
households) (as of Aug. 2 - no numbers showed up in SA Confidentialon ESPN after that)

2001 on ESPN2 = 0.214 (164,000
households) (this is from Oct. 2)

[kenntomasch]

Does it seem, then, that the ESPN2 ratings have been substantially affected by going head-to-head with WUSA?

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by kenntomasch
From MLS Confidential:



That's encouraging. Maybe people tuned in, found they liked Jack and Ty and decided to come back? ;) That's gotta be it!

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by kwikstah
Dude, these numbers are still pathetic. You're a glass is half-empty kind of guy, aren't you?

I think we should put you and soccer4ever (absolutely the most optimistic human being ever) in a locked room and see who walks out ;)

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by kenntomasch


Looked like more on TV. Move San Jose NOW!

[SoFla Metro]

Originally posted by kenntomasch

(luckily, the discussions of Nielsen's methodology were all lost in The Crash, thank God)
Thank God for small miracles.

[Rocket]

Originally posted by kenntomasch


They appear to be San Diego numbers only.
I agree Kenn.

But other than the big rating for the Holiday Bowl, they seem like they might be pretty representative for the country as a whole.

[Rocket]

The Time Warner San Diego site also provides a cool calendar that gives weekend ratings for their local cable system.

http://www.timewarnersd.com/weekend.htm

Check out their June 14th link. A 7.2 for World Cup Soccer on ESPN! (match played 11:15pm - 1:30 am on June 16th)

[kenntomasch]

Originally posted by SoFla Metro
You're a glass is half-empty kind of guy, aren't you?

I think we should put you and soccer4ever (absolutely the most optimistic human being ever) in a locked room and see who walks out ;)

Why does one of them have to walk out? ;)

As for San Diego ratings being representative of the nation as a whole, they might not be too far off. But I'd want to see a whole lot more data before I'd make that blanket statement.

Wasn't that June 16 game the USA/Mexico match?