US-MEX television ratings

[lmorin]

The title of the NYTimes report is, "Lot's of Eyeballs on Columbus." (http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/a-lot-of-eyeballs-on-columbus/) About 1.2 million viewers watched the game on ESPN2 (cable) and 10.7 million watched it on Univision (broadcast). Beyond the Hispanic market, Univision was the No. 1 destination during the match’s two-hour time period among adults and men 18 to 49 years old in Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, San Francisco and Sacramento; and in all households in Los Angeles, Houston and Phoenix.

The game also exceeded the viewership of all first-run England-language prime time shows (such as “American Idol,” “Lost,” “Law & Order” and CSI: New York”) among men 18-49 in Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Phoenix and Dallas.

All the figures are according to the Nielsen Station Index.

[cleansheetbsc]

The title of the NYTimes report is, "Lot's of Eyeballs on Columbus." (http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/a-lot-of-eyeballs-on-columbus/) About 1.2 million viewers watched the game on ESPN2 (cable) and 10.7 million watched it on Univision (broadcast).

This is why Mexico is magically 'seeded' in the WC draw over the US. They deliver viewers and $$$ to FIFA.

[oscar_in_fw]

This is why Mexico is magically 'seeded' in the WC draw over the US. They deliver viewers and $$$ to FIFA.

US$ are why the USA will host the WC again before Mexico is even considered as a host. Probably several times too.

[TrueCrew]

This is why Mexico is magically 'seeded' in the WC draw over the US. They deliver viewers and $$$ to FIFA.

Mexico is not magically 'seeded' for TV viewership.

They were 'magically' seeded ahead of us because they have a more consistent record of advancing in the world cup, and a higher FIFA ranking.

Do the math and there is nothing magic about it.

If it was about eyeballs, China would have been seeded.

[Adam Zebrowski]

usa soccer market is essentially an emerging country soccerwise, with huge up wards possibilities..

1994, usa had more people watch a match IN PERSON, than any other wc ever...

it'd be the same again..

add in the players, with all that disposable income just buy buy buy, the latest stuff., not yet available yet for them...

[Bruce S]

This is why Mexico is magically 'seeded' in the WC draw over the US. They deliver viewers and $$$ to FIFA.

not even close to being true.

[camasterton]

Maybe the ESPN program operators will "notice" and not shut down the coverage the moment the game is over. They missed all the side items (near brawl, interviews, commentary...) that go with an event. Gaining and keeping viewers is not so important to them as showing and commenting on the Bret Favre stock clips for the 100th time of the day. I turned them off and countless others did s well. Maybe? I won't hold my breath.

[Adam Zebrowski]

also, i believe the numbers are in HOUSEHOLDS watching, not actual viewers..

any one think BIG BROTHER really knows how many people are actually watching

[superdave]

Mexico is not magically 'seeded' for TV viewership.

They were 'magically' seeded ahead of us because they have a more consistent record of advancing in the world cup, and a higher FIFA ranking.

Do the math and there is nothing magic about it.
Truth.

Mexico is one of a tiny handful of nations that have advanced to the knockout stage in the last 4 Cups. I *think* the list is Italy, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico.

[lmorin]

also, i believe the numbers are in HOUSEHOLDS watching, not actual viewers..

any one think BIG BROTHER really knows how many people are actually watching

The Times article says 794,800 households watched the ESPN2 broadcast. The viewer numbers I posted above are given in the article. How they are estimated is not stated. Household numbers for Univision are not given.

[El Naranja]

Also bear in mind that these were households, not bars/clubs/restaurants.

I know of lots of places here in Houston that were showing the game, and were likely packed.

Do a little math and this is truly staggering.

[Smithsoccer1721]

How do college dorm rooms count in those numbers? Are they included because a friend told me they dont get recorded but I dont know so thats why I am asking.

[Bigrose30]

How do college dorm rooms count in those numbers? Are they included because a friend told me they dont get recorded but I dont know so thats why I am asking.

Use that Baldwin-Wallace education and google it.

(sorry, I'm not trying to be a dick. my brother went there.)

[Master O]

So, when combining the 1 million people (ESPN) and 10+ million people (Univision) who watched this WCQ:

At least 3.5 times more people watched USA vs Mex than Duke vs UNC (3 million) .

ESPN's loss if they don't give our rivalry more coverage...

[SUDano]

So, when combining the 1 million people (ESPN) and 10+ million people (Univision) who watched this WCQ:

At least 3.5 times more people watched USA vs Mex than Duke vs UNC (3 million) .

ESPN's loss if they don't give our rivalry more coverage...

ESPN had 1 million watchers while Duke/UNC had 3 million. How is it ESPN's loss if the 10 million Spanish speakers were watching Univision. I've always wondered why ESPN do some sort of Spanish SAP to get all 13 million instead of 1 million. Isn't that still available.

[dirtskier]

ESPN had 1 million watchers while Duke/UNC had 3 million. How is it ESPN's loss if the 10 million Spanish speakers were watching Univision. I've always wondered why ESPN do some sort of Spanish SAP to get all 13 million instead of 1 million. Isn't that still available.

Not without getting sued by Univision.

[FC Tallavana]

ESPN had 1 million watchers while Duke/UNC had 3 million. How is it ESPN's loss if the 10 million Spanish speakers were watching Univision. I've always wondered why ESPN do some sort of Spanish SAP to get all 13 million instead of 1 million. Isn't that still available.

This gringo watched the game on Univision because of the poor commentary and production by ESPN despite not being able to understand 80-90 percent of the words being said.

My guess is that ESPN could get the gringos back from Univision (I'd figure at least 5-10 percent of Univision viewers were native English speakers) if they'd treat the game with the amount of respect it deserves.

[Adam Zebrowski]

jp's hockey background does get in the way at times..

the marquez red card, ohhh...hockey fight!!

[counterattack]

Guys!
These numbers are huge.
HUGE.
I sell advertising. Advertisers do not care one iota what language the eyeballs speak, they just want the eyeballs.
This game, A YEAR BEFORE THE WORLD CUP QUALFIIER, brought in total numbers, of key demos, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK, that are nothing less than astounding.
When the game shifts to Mexico, watch for ESPN go to half an hour pre-game and post game, selling ads at top rates. And, they will get a lot more for the remaining US home games.
And Univision is smiling big-time cause they came out the big winner. They get BOTH the Tricolor and the US games as big draws for the rest of the year.
At a time when NASCAR is having a fire sale to avoid the ugly sight of massive empty seats at its Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, and MLB looking at its worst season of attendance in a generation, the numbers from Wednesday ARE HUGE.

[ChefJim27]

This really does bode well for US Soccer. I'm not sure why ESPN and other outlets haven't tried to amp up USA/Mexico. When it comes to CONCACAF football, Yanks/Tri is right up there with Cowboys/Redskins, Celtics/Lakers, Yankees/Red Sox and Canadiens/Maple Leafs. I'm sure if ESPN actually gave the August rematch at the Azteca a little pregame push, and we heard something about it a day or two before, the ratings would probably see at least a half a point bump. I happen to know at least one person I got to tune in, and he was literally shocked how his preconceptions of soccer being a "boring" sport were literally blown out of the water. Most people who claim to "hate" soccer, have usually never seen a match. They give the same tired arguments that truly only exist in their own heads. If the sports networks treat something as a big deal, a big deal it becomes. The XFL was hyped as a really big deal, and for its opening weekend it scored a 15 rating. Sure, the product quality wasn't there, as they got under a 3 for their championship, but my point is the hype machine got people to tune in, the product made them turn it off. Does anyone else think that USA/Mexico at the Azteca would be of inferior quality that the channel would be changed before people gave it an honest shake? If ESPN gave that return leg 25% of the hype they gave the average Tennis Major or weekend Golf tournament, how much of a ratings spike do you think the match would get? This country is tired of the same old things. Baseball, with its steroid problem has a bad odar right now. The NHL hasn't fully recovered from their season off, and hockey is still struggling to recapture its niche from the 90's. While the NBA does have a strong urban following, its ratings are declining, and it is becoming harder to identify with NBA players, let alone its teams. In what other sport do you find a suspended player tailgating with fans? I'm not saying that soccer is going to supplant any of these sports in the short term, and even in the long term it's unlikely. There is, however, an opportunity to finally get soccer on the map in the USA, and any marketing exec with any brains whatsoever should realize that when you get in on the ground floor, there isn't anywhere to go but up. If ESPN's ratings after a small bit of a push get to a 2.5 or a 3, that will mean more advertisers thinking soccer might get more bang for the buck in a tough economy, and who doesn't want to save money for more results?