Hi all, Happy New Year! This will be the new thread for the 2016 season regarding everything related to MLS on TV. In this thread we can talk about schedules, tv slots, tv stations, tv contracts, general soccer ratings, other sports and TV shows ratings as relates to MLS and of course track and try to speak on MLS TV ratings week to week. The first few posts in this thread will be dedicated to data so that there is always an easy reference point for the historical information and then we can keep a running tab on the ratings in the thread as we did in previous seasons.
MLS 2015 Regular Season TV Viewership Summary Home teams listed first. All times are Eastern. Averages are only listed if we have compiled all the games for a specific network. FS1 (all ratings for 2.5 hour window unless specified) Game 1: 268k (KC vs NYR) Sunday 7:00pm 3/8/2015 Game 2: 289k (SEA vs NE) Sunday 9:30pm 3/8/2015 Game 3: 197k (POR vs LA) Sunday 7:00pm 3/15/2015 Game 4: 134k (SJ vs CHI) Sunday 7:00pm 3/22/2015 Game 5: 211k (RSL vs TFC) Sunday 7:00pm 3/29/2015 Game 6: 166k (KC vs PHI) Sunday 7:00pm 4/5/2015 Game 7: 271k (LA vs SEA) Sunday 7:00pm 4/12/2015 Game 8: 186k (ORL vs TOR) Sunday 7:00pm 4/26/2015 Game 9: 309k (SEA vs POR) Sunday 9:30pm 4/26/2015 Game 10: 212k (NYCFC vs SEA) Sunday 7:00pm 5/3/2015 Game 11: 233k (NYR vs NYC) Sunday 7:00pm 5/10/2015 Game 12: 153k (PHI vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 5/17/2015 Game 13: 161k (PHI vs NYR) Sunday 5:00pm 5/24/2015 Game 14: 244k (SJ vs ORL) Sunday 7:00pm 5/24/2015 Game 15: 206k (NE vs LA) Sunday 7:00pm 5/31/2015 Game 16: 175k (SJ vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 6/7/2015 Game 17: 378k (ORL vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 6/14/2015 Game 18: 283k (RSL vs KC) Sunday 10:00pm 6/21/2015 Game 19: 371k (POR vs SEA) Sunday 7:00pm 6/28/2015 Game 20: 234k (NYC vs ORL) Sunday 2:30pm 7/26/2015 Game 21: 109k (CHI vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 8/2/2015 Game 22: 315k (NYR vs NYC) Sunday 7:00pm 8/9/2015 Game 23: 120k (PHI vs CHI) Sunday 7:00pm 8/16/2015 Game 24: 154k (NYR vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 8/30/2015 Game 25: 166k (COLU vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 9/6/2015 Game 26: 91k (ORL vs KC) Sunday 7:00pm 9/13/2015 Game 27: 87k (PHI vs HOU) Sunday 7:00pm 9/20/2015 Game 28: 76k (SJ vs RSL) Sunday 7:00pm 9/28/2015 Game 29: 108k (LA vs DAL) Sunday 9:30pm 9/28/2015 Game 30: 104k (COLO vs RSL) Sunday 7:00pm 10/4/2015 Game 31: 194k (SEA vs LA) Sunday 9:30pm 10/4/2015 Game 32: 156k (LA vs POR) Sunday 7:00pm 10/18/2015 Game 33: 128k (COLU vs DC) Sunday 5:00pm 10/25/2015 Average: 197k FS2 (all ratings for 2.5 hour window unless specified) Game 1: 77k (NYC vs POR) Sunday 7:00pm 4/19/2015 (this game was originally intended for FS1 but was bumped to FS2 when NASCAR ran long) Fox Deportes (all ratings for 2.5 hour window unless specified) Game 3: 67k (POR vs LA) Sunday 7:00pm 3/15/2015 Game 4: 15k (SJ vs CHI) Sunday 7:00pm 3/15/2015 Game 5: 46k (RSL vs TFC) Sunday 7:00pm 3/29/2015 Game 6: 59k (KC vs PHI) Sunday 7:00pm 4/5/2015 Game 7: 69k (LA vs SEA) Sunday 7:00pm 4/12/2015 Game 8: 33k (NYC vs POR) Sunday 7:00pm 4/19/2015 Game 9: 22k (ORL vs TOR) Sunday 7:00pm 4/26/2015 Game 10: 60k (SEA vs POR) Sunday 9:30pm 4/26/2015 Game 11: 43k (NYCFC vs SEA) Sunday 7:00pm 5/3/2015 Game 12: 32k (NYR vs NYC) Sunday 7:00pm 5/8/2015 Game 13: 14k (PHI vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 5/17/2015 Game 14: 56k (PHI vs NYR) Sunday 5:00pm 5/24/2015 Game 15: 22k (SJ vs ORL) Sunday 7:00pm 5/24/2015 Game 16: 81k (NE vs LA) Sunday 7:00pm 5/31/2015 Game 17: 28k (SJ vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 6/7/2015 Game 18: 100k (ORL vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 6/14/2015 Game 19: 22k (RSL vs KC) Sunday 10:00pm 6/21/2015 Game 20: 32k (POR vs SEA) Sunday 7:00pm 6/28/2015 Game 21: 92k (NYC vs ORL) Sunday 2:30pm 7/26/2015 Game 22: 38k (CHI vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 8/2/2015 Game 23: 42k (NYR vs NYC) Sunday 7:00pm 8/9/2015 Game 24: 41k (PHI vs CHI) Sunday 7:00pm 8/17/2015 Game 25: 24k (NYR vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 8/30/2015 Game 26: 60k (COLU vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 9/6/2015 Game 27: 59k (ORL vs KC) Sunday 7:00pm 9/13/2015 Game 28: ?k (PHI vs HOU) Sunday 7:00pm 9/20/2015 Game 29: 46k (SJ vs RSL) Sunday 7:00pm 9/28/2015 Game 30: 78k (LA vs DAL) Sunday 9:30pm 9/28/2015 Game 31: 13k (COLO vs RSL) Sunday 7:00pm 10/4/2015 Game 32: 68k (SEA vs LA) Sunday 9:30pm 10/4/2015 Game 33: 44k (LA vs POR) Sunday 7:00pm 10/18/2015 Game 34: 20k (COLU vs DC) Sunday 5:00pm 10/25/2015 Average: ? (Missing Games) ESPN2 (all ratings are for a 2 hour window unless specified) Game 1: 539k (ORL vs NYC) Sunday 5:00pm 3/8/2015 (2.5 hour window) Game 2: 289k (NYC vs NE) Sunday 5:00pm 3/15/2015 Game 3: 250k (NYR vs DC) Sunday 5:00pm 3/22/2015 Game 4: 152k (CHI vs PHI) Sunday 5:00pm 3/29/2015 Game 5: 247k (RSL vs SJ) Sunday 5:00pm 4/5/2015 Game 6: 226k (POR vs ORL) Sunday 5:00pm 4/12/2015 Game 7: 243K (PHI vs NE) Sunday 5:00pm 4/19/2015 Game 8: 216k (NYR vs LA) Sunday 5:00pm 4/26/2015 Game 9: 233k (KC vs CHI) Sunday 5:00pm 5/3/2015 Game 10: 177k (TOR vs HOU) Sunday 5:00pm 5/10/2015 Game 11: 108k (DC vs ORL) Wednesday 8:00pm 5/13/2015 Game 12: 172k (ORL vs LA) Sunday 5:00pm 5/17/2015 Game 13: 240k (KC vs NE) Wednesday 8:00pm 5/20/2015 Game 14: 332k (SEA vs NYR) Sunday 5:00pm 5/31/2015 Game 15: 161k (RSL vs COLO) Sunday 5:00pm 6/7/2015 Game 16: 214k (DC vs NE) Sunday 5:00pm 6/21/2015 Game 17: 187k (LA vs POR) Wednesday 11:00pm 6/24/2015* Game 18: 133k (POR vs SJ) Sunday 11:00pm 7/5/2015 Game 19: 163k (COLU vs CHI) Wednesday 8:30pm 7/15/2015 Game 20: 245k (DC vs PHI) Sunday 5:00pm 7/26/2015 Game 21: 165k (SJ vs POR) Sunday 5:00pm 8/2/2015 Game 22: 345k (SEA vs ORL) Sunday 5:00pm 8/17/2015** Game 23: 62k (TOR vs NE) Sunday 5:00pm 9/13/2015*** Game 24: 211k (NYR vs TOR) Wednesday 7:30pm 9/16/2015 Game 25: 85k (DAL vs HOU) Sunday 5:00pm 10/4/2015 Average: 216k *The start of this game was bumped to ESPN News. This rating starts from the 11:24pm mark. **The first half of this game was on ESPN News (which drew 129k) ***Opening day for NFL ESPN Game 1: 297k (NYC vs NYR) Sunday 5:00pm 6/28/2015 Game 2: 310k (NYC vs TFC) Sunday 3:00pm 7/12/2015 Game 3: 549k (LA vs SEA) Sunday 4:00pm 8/9/2015 Game 4: 452k (LA vs NYCFC) Sunday 3:00pm 8/23/2015 Game 5: 438k (SEA vs POR) Sunday 4:30pm 8/30/2015 Game 6: 299k (POR vs NY) Sunday 5:00pm 9/20/2015 Game 7: 278k (KC vs SEA) Sunday 5:00pm 9/28/2015 Game 8: 215k (HOU vs SEA) Sunday 5:00pm 10/18/2015 Game 9: 210k (KC vs LA) Sunday 7:00pm 10/25/2015 Average: 339k ESPN Deportes Has averaged 33k through its first 13 telecasts Game X: 183k (LA vs SEA) Sunday 4:00pm 8/9/2015* * Largest number on ESPN Deportes for MLS ever Unimas Game 1: 341k (LA vs CHI) Friday 10:00pm 3/6/2015 Game 2: 310k (HOU vs ORL) Friday 7:00pm 3/13/2015 Game 3: Cancelled due to snow Game 4: 269k (ORL vs DC) Friday 7:00pm 4/3/2015 Game 5: 230k (DAL vs COLO) Friday 7:00pm 4/10/2015 Game 6: 166k (NYR vs SJ) Friday 7:00pm 4/17/2015 Game 7: 150k (KC vs DAL) Friday 9:00pm 5/29/2015 Game 8: 211k (HOU vs NYR) Friday 9:00pm 6/8/2015 Game 9: 222k (COL vs DAL) Friday 9:00 6/19/2015 Game 10: 166k (DAL vs HOU) Friday 9:00pm 6/26/2015 Game 11: 356k (SJ vs LA) Friday 11:00pm 8/28/2015 Game 12: 151k (NYR vs CHI) Friday 7:00pm 9/11/2015 Game 13: 161k (KC vs DAL) Friday 7:00pm 9/18/2015 Average: 224k (final average even if data set is incomplete.) UDN Game 1: 87k (LA vs CHI) Friday 10:00pm 3/6/2015 Game 2: 51k (HOU vs ORL) Friday 7:00pm 3/13/2015 Game 3: 57k (PHI vs DAL) Saturday 4:00pm 3/21/2015 (rescheduled from the Friday night snow) Game 4: 71k (ORL vs DC) Friday 7:00pm 4/3/2015 Game 5: 28k (DAL vs COLO) Friday 7:00pm 4/10/2015 Game 6: 32k (NYR vs SJ) Friday 7:00pm 4/17/2015 Game 7: 48k (CHI vs NYC) Friday 8:00pm 4/24/2015 Game 8: 40k (COLO vs DAL) Friday 10:00pm 4/24/2015 Game 9: 50k (HOU vs DAL)) Friday 8:00pm 5/1/2015 Game 10: 47k (RSL vs SJ) Friday 10:00pm 5/1/2015 Game 11: 63k (ORL vs NE) Friday 8:00pm 5/8/2015 Game 12: 58k (COLO vs SJ) Friday 10:00pm 5/8/2015 Game 13: 35k (NYC vs CHI) Friday 7:00pm 5/15/2015 Game 14: 43k (DAL vs NYR) Friday 9:00pm 5/15/2015 Game 15: 43k (COLU vs CHI) Friday 8:00pm 5/22/2015 Game 16: 60k (LA vs HOU) Friday 10:30pm 5/22/2015 Game 17: 18k (KC vs DAL) Friday 9:00pm 5/29/2015 Game 18: 34k (HOU vs NYR) Friday 9:00pm 6/8/2015 Game 19: 34k (COLO vs DAL) Friday 9:00pm 6/19/2015 Game 20: 31k (DAL vs HOU) Friday 9:00pm 6/26/2015 Game 21: 87k (Hou vs CHI) Friday 9:00pm 7/3/2015 Game 22: 59k (SJ vs HOU) Friday 11:00pm 7/10/2015 Game 23: 66k (LA vs SJ) Friday 11:00pm 7/17/2015 Game 24: 72k (RSL vs KC) Friday 11:00pm 7/24/2015 Game 25: 22k (POR vs CHI) Friday 11:00pm 8/7/2015 Game 26: 38k (SJ vs COLO) Friday 11:00pm 8/15/2015 Game 27: 100k (POR vs HOU) Friday 11:00pm 8/21/2015 Game 28: 143k (SJ vs LA) Friday 11:00pm 8/28/2015 Game 29: 68k (NYR vs ORL) Friday 7:00pm 9/25/2015 Average: ? (missing data) Combined Unimas/UDN(these were not separated out) Orlando City vs. New York City FC (UniMas+UDN, Oct. 16 7:00-9:06 p.m.) 229k total viewers; 119k adults 18-49 San Jose vs. Sporting KC (UniMas+UDN, Oct. 16 11:00 p.m.-1:04 a.m.) 182k total viewers; 107k adults 18-49 2015 ALL Star Game Wed July 29 7:00pm FS1: 548k Unimas/UDN combined: 285k 2015 US Open Cup Final Wed Sept 30 7:00pm ESPN2: 333k UDN: 48k =============================================== Random Canadian games below(we don't get these numbers regularly so just adding what we find) TSN 353k (VAN vs TOR) Saturday 6:00pm 3/7/2015 96k (CHI vs VAN) Saturday 6:00pm 3/14/2015 109k (LA vs VAN) Saturday 10:00pm 4/4/2015 110k (POR vs VAN) Saturday 10:30pm 5/2/2015 193k (TOR vs HOU) Sunday 5:00pm 5/10/2015 126k (TFC vs SJ) Saturday 5:00pm 5/30/2015 195k (COLO vs VAN) Saturday 9:00pm 7/4/2015 138k (NYC vs TOR) Sunday 3:00pm 7/12/2015 141k (TFC vs PHI) Saturday 4:00pm 7/18/2015 132k (POR vs VAN) Saturday 10:30pm 7/18/2015 129k (SEA vs VAN) Saturday 10:00pm 8/1/2015 112k: (TOR vs KC) Saturday 4:00pm 8/8/2015 182k (VAN vs RSL) Sunday 10:00pm 8/9/2015 110k (TFC vs ORL) Saturday 4:00pm 8/22/2015 152k (VAN vs DAL) Saturday 10:00pm 8/22/2015 101k (TFC vs COLO) Saturday 2:00pm 9/19/2015 138k (VAN vs SEA) Saturday 7:00pm 9/19/2015 122k (VAN vs NYC) Saturday 10:00pm 9/26/2015 TSN2 58k (COLU vs TOR) Saturday 7:30pm 3/14/2015 48k (ORL vs TOR) Sunday 5:00pm 4/26/2015 Sportsnet One 90k (CHI vs TOR) Saturday 3:00pm 4/4/2015 Sportsnet 360 74k (NE vs TOR) Saturday 7:30pm 8/1/2015 TSN4 75k (PHI vs TFC) Saturday 4:00pm 5/2/2015
2015 Playoff Ratings Summary Unimas: Game 1: 225k (DC vs NE) Wednesday 10/28/2015 7:30pm Game 2: 363k (SEA vs LA) Wednesday 10/28/2015 10:00pm Game 3: 229k (MON vs TFC) Thursday 10/29/2015 7:00pm Game 4: 336k (POR vs KC) Thursday 10/29/2015 9:30pm* UDN: Game 1: 45k (MON vs TFC) Thursday 10/29/2015 7:00pm Game 2: 93k (POR vs KC) Thursday 10/29/2015 9:30pm ESPN: Game 1: 219k (DC vs NYR) Sunday 11/1/2015 3:00pm Game 2: 249k (POR vs VAN) Sunday 11/1/2015 5:00pm Game 3: 259k (COL vs MON) Sunday 11/8/2015 3:00pm Game 4: 242k (NY vs DC) Sunday 11/8/2015 5:00pm Game 5: 278k (COLU vs NY) Sunday 11/22/2015 5:00pm Game 6: 286k (DAl vs POR) Sunda7 1/29/2015 5:00pm FS1: Game 1: 136k (MON vs COLU) Sunday 11/1/2015 7:00pm Game 2: 220k (SEA vs DAL) Sunday 11/1/2015 9:30pm Game 3: 221k (DAL vs SEA) Sunday 11/8/2015 7:30pm Game 4: 339k (VAN vs POR) Sunday 11/8/2015 10:00pm Game 5: 211k (POR vs DAL) Sunday 11/22/2015 7:30pm Game 6: 240k (NYR vs COLU) Sunday 11/22/2015 7:30pm Fox Deportes: Game 3: 83k (DAL vs SEA) Sunday 11/8/2015 7:30pm Game 4: 86k (VAN vs POR) Sunday 11/8/2015 10:00pm Game 5: 38k (POR vs DAL) Sunday 11/22/2015 7:30pm Game 6: 95k (NYR vs COLU) Sunday 11/22/2015 7:30pm Note: That for the playin games on Unimas, NE, Seattle, Portland and KC all had local TV coverage Canada TV Ratings RDS: Game 1: 319k (MON vs TFC) Thursday 10/29/2015 7:00pm TSN: Game 1: 263k (MON vs TFC) Thursday 10/29/2015 7:00pm
MLS 2014 Regular Season TV Ratings Summary Home teams listed first. All times are Eastern NBC Sports Network (all ratings for 2.5 hour window unless specified) Game 1: 330k (SEA vs KC) Saturday 3:00pm. 3/8/2014 Game 2: 171k (SEA vs TFC) Saturday 4:30pm. 3/15/2014 Game 3: 180k (RSL vs LA) Saturday 4:00pm 3/22/2014 Game 4: 157k (DC vs CHI) Saturday 4:00pm 3/29/2014 Game 5: 277k(POR vs SEA) Saturday 3:00pm 4/5/2014 Game 6: 171k (CHI vs NE) Saturday 4:00pm 4/19/2014 Game 7: 219k (KC vs CLB) Sunday 4:00pm 5/4/2014 Game 8: 219k (POR vs LA) Sunday 2:30pm 5/11/2014 Game 9: 79k (SJ vs LA) Saturday 10:30pm 6/28/2014 Game 10: 71k (NY vs HOU) Friday 8:30pm 7/4/2014 Game 11: 109k (POR vs LA) Friday 11:00pm 7/4/2014 Game 12: 69k (DC vs SJ) Friday 11:00pm 7/11/2014 Game 13: 103k (POR vs COLO) Friday 11:00pm 7/18/2014 Game 14: 67k (SJ vs CHI) Wednesday 10:30pm 7/23/2014 Game 15: 141k (KC vs PHI) Friday 8:00pm 8/1/2014 Game 16: 192k (SJ vs SEA) Saturday 10:30pm 8/2/2014 Game 17: 118k (LA vs SJ) Friday 10:30pm 8/8/2014 Game 18: 82k (HOU vs PHI) Friday 9:00pm 8/15/2014 Game 19: 183k (RSL vs SEA) Saturday 2:30pm 8/16/2014 Game 20: 121k (DAL vs RSL) Friday 9:00pm 8/22/2014 Game 21: 132k (KC vs HOU) Friday 8:00pm 8/29/2014* Game 22: 134k (DC vs NY) Sunday 2:30pm 8/31/2014 Game 23: 97k (LA vs COLO) Friday 10:30pm 9/5/2014 Game 24: 132k (NY vs KC) Saturday 7:30pm 9/6/2014 Game 25: 234k (SEA vs RSL) Friday 10:30pm 9/12/2014 Game 26: 191k (PHI vs NY) Saturday 3:00pm 9/13/2014 Game 27: 107k (RSL vs COLO) Friday 10:00pm 9/19/2014 Game 28: 132k (POR vs VAN) Saturday 5:00pm 9/20/2014 Game 29: 131k (NY vs SEA) Saturday 7:30pm 9/20/2014 Game 30: 118k (KC vs NE) Friday 3:00pm 9/26/2014 Game 31: 134k (DC vs PHI) Saturday 8:00pm 9/27/2014 Game 32: 143k (DC vs KC) Friday 8:00pm 10/3/2014 Game 33: 128k (NY vs HOU) Saturday 6:00pm 10/4/2014 Game 34: 111k (SJ vs POR) Saturday 11:00pm 10/4/2014 Game 35: 152k (SEA vs VAN) Friday 10:00pm 10/10/2014 Game 36: 110k (POR vs RSL) Friday 10:00pm 10/17/2014 Game 37: 76k (COLO vs DAL) Saturday 5:30pm 10/18/2014 Game 38: 50k (CHI vs HOU) Friday 8:00pm 10/24/2014 Average: 142k *1 hour 17 minute delay for weather during game ESPN2 (all ratings are for a 2.5 hour window unless specified) Game 1: 232k (KC vs NY) Tuesday 8:00pm 5/27/2014 Game 2: 269k (POR vs DAL) Wednesday 10:00pm 6/11/2014 Game 3: 426k (SEA vs POR) Sunday 10:30pm 7/13/2014 Game 4: 253k (PHI vs NY) Wednesday 7:00pm 7/16/2014 Game 5: 256k (KC vs LA) Saturday 6:00pm 7/19/2014 Game 6: 366k (SEA vs LA) Monday 10:00pm 7/28/2014 Game 7: 170k (RSL vs NY) Wednesday 9:00pm 7/30/2014 All Star Game: 862k (MLS vs Bayern Munich) Wednesday 9:30pm 8/6/2014 Game 8: 209k (POR vs SEA) Saturday 5:00pm 8/24/2014 Game 9: 233k (POR vs SJ) Sunday 4:30pm 9/7/2014 Game 10: 164k (NY vs DC) Wednesday 8:00pm 9/10/2014 Game 11: 127k (LA vs NY) Sunday 8:30pm 9/28/2014 Game 12: 140k (CHI vs PHI) Thursday 8:00pm 10/2/2014 Game 13: 168k (DAL vs LA) Sunday 7:00pm 10/12/2014 Game 14: 214k (LA vs SEA) Sunday 8:00pm 10/19/2014 Game 15: 148k (KC vs NY) Sunday 8:30pm 10/26/2014 Average: 225k (does not include all star game) ESPN(all ratings are for 2 hour window unless specified) Game 1: 495k (KC vs CHI) Sunday 3:00pm 7/6/2014 ESPNDeportes Average: 42k Unimas All Star Game: 410k (MLS vs Bayern Munich) Wednesday 9:30pm 8/6/2014 .11 Average for all regular season games NBC Game 1: (LA vs POR) Saturday 2:30pm 8/2/2014 Overnight: .33 Final: 409k Game 2: (SEA vs LA) Saturday 2:30pm 10/25/2014 Overnight: .59 Final: 699k Assorted Ratings from Canada http://forums.redpatchboys.ca/showthread.php?35785-2014-TFC-TV-ratings http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/mls-on-canada-tv.2011254/ https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/author/chris-zelkovich/
2014 MLS Playoff TV Ratings Summary NBCSN Game 1: 205k (RSL vs LA) Sat 8:00pm 11/1/2014 Game 2: 386k (SEA vs DAL) Mon 10:30pm 11/10/2014 Game 3: 267k (NE vs NY) Sat 1:30pm 11/29/2014 ESPN2 Game 1: 231k (NY vs KC) Thu 8:00pm 10/30/2014 Game 2: 353k (DAL vs SEA) Sun 9:00pm 11/2/2014 Game 3: 184k (NE vs COLU) Sun 5:00pm 11/9/2014 Game 4: 358k (LA vs RSL) Sun 7:00pm 11/9/2014 ESPN: Game 1: 365k (LA vs SEA) Sunday 5:00pm 11/23/2014 Game 2: 573k (SEA vs LA) Sunday 9:20pm 11/30/2014 NBC Game 1: .52 Overnight (DC vs NY) Sun 2:30pm 11/8/2014 607k viewers Game 2: .51 Overnight (NY vs NE) Sun 1:30pm 11/23/2014 550k viewers
MLS 2013 Regular Season TV Ratings Summary Home teams listed first. All times are Eastern NBC Sports Network (all ratings for 2.5 hour window unless specified) Game 0: 95k (RSL vs SEA) Saturday 7:30pm 2/23/2013* Game 1: 107k (HOU vs DC). Saturday 8:00pm. 3/2/2013 Game 2: 79k (CHI vs NE) Saturday 7:30pm 3/9/2013 Game 3: 82k (KC vs CHI) Saturday 3:00pm 3/16/2013 Game 4: 209k (SEA vs POR) Saturday 8:00pm 3/16/2013 Game 5: 97k (DC vs COLU) Saturday 3:30pm 3/23/2013 Game 6: 100k (NY vs PHI) Saturday 3:30pm 3/30/2013 Game 7: 41k (COLO vs RSL) Saturday 7:30pm 4/6/2013 Game 8: 86k (DAL vs LA) Saturday 3:30pm 4/13/2013 Game 9: 108k (POR vs SJ) Sunday 10:30pm 4/14/2013 Game 10: 58k (LA vs KC) Saturday 10:30pm 4/21/2013 Game 11: 53k (MON vs CHI) Saturday 4:00pm 4/27/2013 Game 12: 122k (COLU vs NY) Saturday 4:00pm 5/4/2013 Game 13: 51k (CHI vs PHI) Saturday 1:30pm 5/11/2013 Game 14: 80k (KC vs HOU) Sunday 3:30pm 5/26/2013 Game 15: 96k (NE vs LA) Sunday 4:00pm 6/2/2013 Game 16: 149k (SEA vs VAN) Saturday 10:30pm 6/8/2013 Game 17: 133k (POR vs COLO) Sunday 7:00pm 6/23/2013 Game 18: 123k (PHI vs DAL) Saturday 5:30pm 6/29/2013 Game 19: 173k (VAN vs SEA) Saturday 11:00pm 7/6/2013 Game 20: 126k (POR vs LA) Saturday 11:00pm 7/13/2013 Game 21: 94k (HOU vs CHI) Saturday 8:00pm 7/27/2013 Game 22: 83k (KC vs NY) Saturday 6:30pm 8/3/2013 Game 23: 58k (PHI vs DC) Saturday 8:00pm 8/10/2013 Game 24: 110k (NY vs PHI) Saturday 8:00pm 8/17/2013 Game 25: 133k (CHI vs KC) Friday 8:30pm 8/23/2013 Game 26: 171k (RSL vs POR) Friday 10:00pm 8/30/2013 Game 27: 67k (NY vs DC) Saturday 8:00pm 8/31/2013 Game 28: 102k (SEA vs CHI) Saturday 10:00pm 9/7/2013 Game 29: 177k (SEA vs RSL) Friday 10:00pm 9/13/2013 Game 30: 131k (POR vs COL) Friday 10:00pm 9/20/2013 Game 31: 247k (LA vs SEA) Saturday 10:00pm 9/21/2013 Game 32: 98k (KC vs PHI) Friday 8:00pm 9/27/2013 Game 33: 89k (DC vs CHI) Friday 8:00pm 10/4/2013 Game 34: 183k (COLO vs SEA) Saturday 10:00pm 10/5/2013 Game 35: 83k(KC vs DC) Friday 8:00pm 10/18/2013 Game 36: 189k (PHI vs KC) Saturday 3:00pm 10/26/2013 Game 37: 68k (SJ vs DAL) Saturday 5:30pm 10/26/2013 Average: 103k (does not include Game 0) * This was the Preseason Diamond Cup final. ESPN2 (all ratings are for a 2.5 hour window unless specified) Game 1: 221k (POR vs NY) Sunday 7:30pm 3/3/2013 Game 2: 179k (SJ vs NY) Sunday 10:00pm 3/10/2013 Game 3: 108k (DAL vs HOU) Sunday 1:00pm 3/17/2013 Game 4: 157k (CHI vs NY) Sunday 5:00pm 4/7/2013 Game 5: 170k (DC vs PHI) Sunday 5:00pm 4/21/2013 Game 6: 145k (LA vs HOU) Sunday 11:00pm 5/5/2013 Game 7: 250k (LA vs NY) Sunday 1:00pm 5/19/2013* Game 8: 191k (LA vs SEA) Sunday 11:00pm 5/26/2013 Game 9: 393k (NY vs HOU) Sunday 2:00pm 6/30/2013** Game 10: 138k (COLO vs LA) Saturday 7:00pm 7/27/2013*** All-Star Game: 319k (MLS vs Roma) Wednesday 7:00pm 7/31/2013 Game 11: 184k (DAL vs LA) Sunday 8:00pm 8/11/2013 Game 12: 346k (SEA vs POR) Sunday 10:00pm 8/25/2013 Game 13: 82k (SJ vs PHI) Sunday 11:00pm 9/8/2013* Average: 197k (does not include All Star Game) *Window was 128 minutes **Window was only 80 minutes due to Confed Cup game running long ***Window was 126 minutes ESPN(all ratings are for ~2 hour window). Game 1: 262k (POR vs DAL) Saturday 5:00pm 6/15/2013 Game 2: 323k (PHI vs NY) Sunday 5:00pm 6/23/2013 Game 3: 331k (CHI vs KC) Sunday 3:00pm 7/7/2013 Game 4: 300k (SEA vs NY) Sunday 9:00pm 9/29/2013 Game 5: 189k (POR vs SEA) Sunday 9:00pm 10/13/2013 Game 6: 232k (LA vs SJ) Sunday 9:00pm 10/20/2013 Game 7: 247k (SEA vs LA) Sunday 9:00pm 10/27/2013 Average: 269K ESPNDeportes Average: 32k Unimas 23 games: 223k average NBC Game 1: (NY vs DC) Saturday 12:30pm 3/16/2013 Overnight: .7 Final: .3, 461k Game 2: (POR vs LA) Sunday 3:30pm 9/29/2013 Overnight: .3* Game 3: (DAL vs SEA) Saturday 2:30pm 10/19/2013 Final: .3, 395k Game 4: (DC vs HOU) Sunday 1:30pm 10/27/2013 Final: .2, 294k *Not sure if this is overnight or the fast national rating
2013 MLS Playoff TV Ratings Summary NBCSN Game 1: 158k (SEA vs COL) Wed 10:30pm 10/30/2013 Game 2: 142k (HOU vs MTL) Thu 8:30pm 10/31/2013 Game 3: 114k (NE vs KC) Sat 8:00pm 11/2/2013 Game 4: 233k (SEA vs POR) Sat 10:00pm 11/2/2013 Game 5: 195k (POR vs SEA) Thursday 11:00pm 11/7/2013 Game 6: 241k (KC vs HOU) Saturday 7:30pm 11/23/2013 Average: 181k ESPN2 Game 1: 182k (RSL vs LA) Thursday 9:00pm 11/7/2013 ESPN Game 1: 296k (LA vs RSL) Sun 9:00pm 11/3/2013 Game 2: 302k (RSL vs POR) Sun 9:00pm 11/10/2013 Game 3: 271k (POR vs RSL) Sun 9:00pm 11/24/2013 ESPN/ESPN Average: 263k NBC Game 1: ? (NY vs HOU) Sun 3:30pm 11/3/2013 Game 2: ? (HOU vs KC) Sat 2:30pm 11/9/2013
2012 Regular Season TV Ratings Home teams listed first. All times are Eastern NBC Sports Network (all ratings for 2.5 hour window unless specified) 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 (LA vs NE) Saturday 11:00pm 3/31/2012 Game 6: 126k/139k (2.5 hour/two hour) (PHI vs COLU) Saturday 4:00pm 4/14/2012 Game 7: 79k (CHI vs TOR) Saturday 3:30pm 4/21/2012 Game 8: 70k (NY vs NE) Saturday 3:30pm 4/28/2012 Game 9: 96k (SEA vs PHI) Saturday 4:00pm 5/5/2012 Game 10: 120k (HOU vs DC) Saturday 4:30pm 5/12/2012 Game 11: 71k (HOU vs LA) Saturday 2:30 5/26/2012 Game 12: 53k (KC vs SJ) Sunday 4:40 5/27/2012 Game 13: 63k (CHI vs NY) Sunday 5:00pm 6/17/2012 Game 14: 137k (NY vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 6/24/2012 Game 15: 133k (KC vs CHI) Friday 8:00pm 6/29/2012 Game 16: 151k (SEA vs COLO) Saturday 11:00pm 7/7/2012 Game 17: 259k (POR vs LA) Saturday 11:00pm 7/14/2012 Game 18: 60k (SJ vs DAL) Wednesday 11:00pm 7/18/2012 Game 19: 392k (DAL vs LA) Saturday 8:00pm 7/28/2012 Game 20: 233k (PHI vs NE) Sunday 7:00pm 7/29/2012 Game 21: 148k (HOU vs NY) Friday 8:00pm 8/3/2012 Game 22: 405k (POR vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 8/5/2012 Game 23: 252k (NY vs HOU) Friday 8:00pm 8/10/2012 Game 24: 52k (COLU vs LA) Wednesday 7:00pm 8/15/2012* Game 25: 98k (DC vs PHI) Sunday 5:00pm 8/19/2012 Game 26: 40k (RSL vs PHI) Friday 7:30pm 8/24/2012 Game 27: 124k (DAL vs LA) Sunday 7:00pm 8/26/2012 Game 28: 121k (COLO vs POR) Friday 10:30pm 8/31/2012 Game 29: 143k (CHIV vs SJ) Sunday 9:00pm 9/2/2012 Game 30: 63k (DAL vs LA) Wednesday 9:00pm 9/5/2012 Game 31: 81k (KC vs HOU) Friday 8:30pm 9/14/2012 Game 32: 45k (RSL vs POR) Saturday 8:00pm 9/22/2012 Game 33: 94k (CHIC vs KC) Friday 8:30pm 9/28/2012 Game 34: 102k (VAN vs SEA) Saturday 9:00pm 9/29/2012 Game 35: 82k (LA vs RSL) Saturday 9:00pm 10/6/2012 Game 36: 101k (SEA vs RSL) Wednesday 10:00pm 10/17/2012 Game 37: 39k (HOU vs PHI) Saturday 7:30pm 10/20/2012 Game 38: 50k (KC vs PHI) Wednesday 8:30pm 10/24/2012 Game 39: 62k (CHI vs DC) Saturday 4:00pm 10/27/2012 Game 40: 101k (POR vs SJ) Saturday 6:30pm 10/27/2012 Average: 119k (includes just the 2.5 hour numbers) * This game overlapped with US @ Mexico friendly on ESPN2 and Univision ESPN2 (all ratings are for a 2 hour window) 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 Game 8: 163k (CHIV vs LA) Sunday 11:00pm 8/12/2012 Game 9: 130k (NY vs KC) Sunday 9:00pm 8/26/2012 Game 10: 125k (PHI vs DCU) Thursday 8:00pm 9/20/2012 Average: 232k (does not include all star game) ESPN (all ratings are for a 2 hour window) 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 Game 8: 290k (POR vs SEA) Sunday 9:00pm 10/7/2012 Game 9: 211k (SEA vs DAL) Sunday 9:00pm 10/21/2012 Game 10: 265k (LA vs SEA) Sunday 9:00pm 10/28/2012 Average: 405k ESPN/ESPN2 Combined Ratings: 20 games, 318k *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. NBC Game 1: 576k (.4 rating) (POR vs SEA) Saturday 3:30pm 9/15/2012 Game 2: ? (.4 rating) (CHI vs NY) Saturday 3:30pm 10/6/2012* Game 3: ? (.3 rating) (PHI vs NY) Saturday 1:30pm 10/27/2012* *While I don't know the exact ratings of each, we do know that the average of these two games was in the 575k range. (all NBC and NBCSN games averaged out to 151k) Galavision (all ratings are for a 2 hour window) 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 Game 13: 31k (PHI vs CHI) Sunday 7:00pm 8/12/2012 Game 14: 104k (NY vs POR) Sunday 7:00pm 8/19/2012 Game 15: 128k (NY vs DC) Wednesday 8:00pm 8/29/2012 Game 16: 93k (HOU vs CHI) Sunday 7:00pm 9/2/2012 Game 17: 81k (Chiv vs DC) Sunday 7:00pm 9/23/2012 Game 18: 53k (LA vs Colo) Sunday 7:00pm 9/30/2012 Game 19: 42k (CHIV vs DAL) Sunday 7:00pm 10/7/2012 Game 20: 57k (SJ vs LA) Sunday 7:00pm 10/21/2012 Game 21: 20k (DAL vs CHIV) Sunday 7:00pm 10/28/2012 Average: 57k (for 20 games) Telefutura All Star Game: 358k (MLS vs Chelsea) Wednesday 8:30 7/25/2012
2012 Playoff TV Ratings Playoffs Game 1: 201k (CHI vs HOU) Wed 9:00pm 10/31/2012 ESPN2 Game 2: 142k (LA vs VAN) Thu 10:30pm 11/1/2012 NBCSN Game 3: 137k (SEA vs RSL) Fri Nov 2 10:00 NBCSN Game 4: 158k (DC vs NY) Sat Nov 3 7:56 NBCSN Game 5: ? (HOU vs KC) Sun Nov 4 3:30 NBC Game 6: 335k (LA vs SJ) Sun Nov 4 9:00 ESPN Game 7: 93k (KC vs HOU) Wed Nov 7 9:05 NBCSN Game 8: 424k (SJ vs LA) Wed Nov 7 11:13 ESPN2 Game 9: 125k (NY vs DC) Thu Nov 8 7:30 NBCSN Game 10: 94k (RSL vs SEA) Thu Nov 8 10:00 NBCSN Game 11: 59k (HOU vs DC) Sun Nov 11 4:00 NBCSN Game 12: 540k (LA vs SEA) Sun Nov 11 8:00 ESPN Game 13: 111k (DC vs HOU) Sun Nov 18 4:00 NBCSN Game 14: 485k (SEA vs LA) Sun Nov 18 9:00 ESPN
Historical Data MLS Cup Through the Years 2015 Sun., 12/6/2015 Crew/Timbers ESPN: 668k, WatchESPN: 108k, Univision Deportes: 206k Unimas: 300k, TSN: 87k 2014 Sun., 12/7/14 Galaxy/Revs ESPN: .61 964K Unimas: .48 698k Univision Deportes: .18 245k WatchESPN: 89k 2013 Sat., 12/7/13 Sporting/Real Salt Lake ESPN 505k, Unimas 514k 2012 Sat., 12/1/12 Galaxy/Dynamo ESPN 797k, Telefutura 485k 2011 Sun., 11/20/11 Galaxy/Dynamo ESPN 0.6 1.039M 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 Ratings ESPN: 4 games: 498k ESPN2: 17 games: 238k ESPN/ESPN2 Combined: 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 284k FSC: 32 game 53k Telefutura: 24 games 229k ESPN Deportes: 69k* All Star Game vs Everton: 484k Wed July 29, 2009 on ESPN2 *number is only through games played as of Sept 14, 2009. I do not know if this is a complete number 2008 Final Ratings ESPN2: 27 games 253k (dedicated Thursday night slot) Telefutura: 26 games 254k ESPN Deportes: 40k 2007 Final Ratings ESPN2: 26 games 289k (dedicated Thursday night slot) Telefutura: 24 games 282k 2006 Final Ratings ESPN2: 21 games 263k MLS All Star Ratings Through he Years: 2015: (Tottenham) FS1: 548k Unimas/UDN combined: 285k 2014: (Bayern Munich) ESPN2: 863k 2013: (Roma) ESPN2: 319k 2012: (Chelsea) ESPN2: 530k 2011: (Man United) ESPN2: 781k 2010: (Man United) ESPN2: 714k 2009: (Everton) ESPN2: 484k 2008: (West Ham) ESPN: 537k 2007: (Celtic) ESPN: 517k 2006: (Chelsea) ESPN: 591k 2005: (Fulham) ABC: 807k 2004: (East vs West) ABC : 1.069M 2003: (Chivas) ABC: 1.175m 2002: (USA) ABC 927k 2001: (East vs West) ABC: 945k 2000: (East vs West) ABC: 1.154m
Sources (while they last) http://forums.bigsoccer.com/threads/mls-2014-tv-thread-ratings-contracts-etc.1998719/ https://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/mls-2013-tv-ratings.1980451/ 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-2423303
Major League Soccer Regular Season US National TV Viewers [English] Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 # Games 60 57 54 68 Mean 185k 151k 171k 221k Median 125k 131k 146k 211k Std Dev 157k 82k 88k 102k High 888k 393k 495k 549k Low 39k 41k 50k 62k < 100k 20 19 8 6 < 200k 39 45 39 31 ≥ 200k 21 12 15 37 ≥ 300k 10 4 4 11 ≥ 400k 5 0 2 4 ≥ 500k 3 0 0 2
Not directly related to MLS, but here's an interesting wrap-up of the most-viewed sporting events from 2015. http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/201...l-basketball-nba-womens-world-cup-viewership/ http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/201...basketball-nba-womens-world-cup-viewership/2/ The Women's World Cup Final was one of only four non-NFL/CFB events to crack the Top 50. #17 Duke/Wisconsin (MBB National Championship) - 28.26 million (CBS) #26 USA/Japan (Women's World Cup Final) - 26.70 million (FOX, Telemundo) #40 Warriors/Cavaliers (NBA Finals Game 6) - 23.25 million (ABC) #44 Wisconsin/Kentucky (MBB Final Four) - 22.63 million (TBS, TNT, TruTV) And here's the most-viewed events by sport. The most-watched men's soccer match was the Mexico-Jamaica Gold Cup Final (6.53 million). http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/201...basketball-nba-womens-world-cup-viewership/3/
Pretty good TV news coming out of today's schedule drop, LINK: http://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2016/01/07/2016-national-tv-schedule Highlights include: (1) 29 of ESPN’s 34 matches will be showcased on ESPN, compared with eight in 2015 (2) All 28 Univisión Deportes matches will air live on UniMás, with select matches simulcast on the cable network Univisión Deportes Network (UDN) (3) In addition to four matches on over-the-air FOX, FS1 will broadcast 30 regular season matches in 2016, each including an extended broadcast window to incorporate a 30-minute pregame show
They don't. (I suppose MLS could wait for NFL to decline immensely for some reason, maybe concussions or something.) Or MLS perhaps thinks of other ways to address or work around their challenges. Maybe "the stretch" location is the key.
On FS1 you can see the haves and have nots Lots of Seattle, LAG, NYCFC, Orlando. 1 game each for Dallas, RSL (maybe 2), Philly, Chicago, Houston. If I added correctly.
Kudos to both Fox and ESPN for giving even more visibility to MLS. I can't say the ratings deserve this but anyone who was bitching about Fox winning the MLS contract has been clearly proven wrong.
While I am very happy about this, MLS really makes it difficult to compare ratings from year to year.
For we laypersons, certainly. But for the media businesses and partners that can dive deeper into the Nielsen data a demographic info, it ain't that difficult. And those partners are sticking around, and showing more commitment (seemingly each year) and offering up more in rights fees paid (seemingly every cycle).
So is the bottom line that 2015 was a poor year for the Worldwide Leader, and a good year for everyone else?
Yeah, it's like that show that got no ratings, but some critics liked it, so the network is going to give it a little more promotion to see what comes of it. The other thing I thought is that we had a lot of back and forth over the Sunday afternoon timeslot, whether the good of consistency outweighed the bad of going up against the NFL. I personally believe it did, but I can see the debate because in 2015 it was a close call. In 2016, for that one season at least, I think it won't be; the exposure MLS gets next year are very likely going to garner a ratings increase, the question is just how much.
I think the fact that some of them are late to the game, and didn't overspend on the leftover properties probably saved them the ESPN fate. Why does CBS Sportsnet exist at all? Monster Jam and drag boat racing can't draw that well can they?