http://www.socceramerica.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.san&s=31041&Nid=52325&p=514857 Wednesday's USA-Mexico broadcast on Univision was seen by 10.7 million viewers, making it the most watched sporting event in the history of Spanish-language television. The average audience of 5.9 million made it the most-watched sporting event for the season to date on Spanish-language television and the average audience of 1.2 million on ESPN2 made it the most-watched World Cup qualifier in history on that network. Such was the game's draw that it was the most-watched program of the day among men 18-34 and men 18-49 in such major markets as Los Angeles, Miami, Houston and Dallas, beating out first-run English-language primetime shows such as Fox's "American Idol," ABC's "Lost," NBC's "Law & Order," and CBS' "CSI: NY." Additionally, ESPN Deportes' Futbol Picante, the network's Mexican soccer nightly news and information program, enjoyed its two most-watched telecasts ever -- the pre-game edition drew 192,000 Hispanic viewers and the postgame edition attracted 223,000 Hispanics viewers.
I think a healthy US-Mex rivalry could be one of the best ways of increasing football's popularity in the US. Good to see viewing figures were so high. I'd anticipate even higher ones for the group game in Mexico. Maybe by that point Sven might have something resembling a team...
It looks like Univision: 5.7 M, ESPN (BBall): 3.3 M, and ESPN2: 1.2 M. (average viewership?) Is that right? Doesn't seem like bad numbers at all for Soccer on TV in the USA.
Just think if ESPN had promoted the game! (yeah I know they did. It always seems like they do it under duress though)
Those numbers once again show that people in the US will watch a game if it is presented as an event. How much more could ESPN have done? I saw a lot of ads for the US game in the weeks leading up to it. I don't remember there being that many more ads for the UNC v. Duke game than there were for the US. I guess ESPN just can't seem to win no matter what they do. I guess showing it live in HD during college basketball season just isn't enough for some people.
the Univision number wont really impact ratings. the soccer game would have a higher number if its was on ESPN the original. ESPN did all it could do adverting the game.. USSF and nike could have chipped in with some commercials or something.
so i assume you Pointing otu that the Game meant more to Hispanic viewers than American viewers? okay that can be true. but How can that impact Mainstream Medis and especially sports?