Sunday was a good day for ESPN as it aired two World Cup Round of 16 games. Netherlands vs. Mexico becomes the highest-rated non-U.S. game in any round with a very respectable 4.0 rating and 6.571 million viewers. For Costa Rica vs. Greece which ended in a penalty kick shootout, it sustained a 3.9 rating and 6.388 million viewers.
ABC’s doubleheader on Saturday posted similar numbers, a 3.8 rating for Brazil vs. Chile with a viewership of 6.142 million. ABC’s late game, Colombia vs. Uruguay had a 5.9 rating and 5.362 million viewers.
The World Cup on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC has been averaging a 2.3 rating and 3.788 million viewers.
Here’s the ESPN press release.
Netherlands vs. Mexico and Costa Rica vs. Greece ESPN’s Two Highest-Rated Non-US Men’s World Cup Matches Ever
ABC’s Weekend Coverage Highlighted by Third Highest-Rated Non-USA Round of 16 Match
ESPN Continues to Generate Significant Television Viewership Increases Over 2010 and 2006
Top Markets Led by Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles
ESPN’s two FIFA World Cup Round of 16 telecasts on Sunday, June 29, set a record as the highest-rated men’s World Cup matches, in any round not involving a United States team, on ESPN or ESPN2 ever. The Netherlands victory over Mexico holds the top spot, averaging a 4.0 US HH rating and 6,571,000 viewers, followed by a 3.9 US HH rating and 6,388,000 viewers for Costa Rica’s shoot-out defeat over Greece.
ABC also posted large audiences for its weekend telecasts. ABC’s coverage of Brazil beating Chile on Saturday, June 29, ranks as the third highest-rated non-USA men’s World Cup Round of 16 match on ESPN or ABC with a 3.8 US HH rating and 6,142,000 viewers. ABC’s other game on Saturday – Colombia vs. Uruguay – also garnered a large audience, averaging a 3.3 US HH rating and 5,362,000 viewers.
Including the two Sunday telecasts, the top-five most-viewed men’s World Cup matches on ESPN or ESPN2 ever have come during the 2014 event. The top three all involved the United States: vs. Portugal (18,220,000 viewers), vs. Ghana (11,093,000) and vs. Germany (10,771,000).
ESPN Continues to Generate Significant Television Viewership Increases Over 2010 and 2006
Overall, ESPN’s 2014 World Cup coverage is posting significant viewership increases over 2010 and 2006. ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC have combined to average a 2.3 US HH rating and 3,788,000 viewers through the 52 matches, marking increases of 21 percent and 92 percent (vs. 1.9 rating in 2010 and 1.2 in 2006) and 32 percent and 108 percent (vs. 2,873,000 viewers in 2010 and 1,825,000 in 2006), respectively.
In addition, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC continue to generate significant audience increases in every key people and male demographic, highlighted by double-digit growth in the 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 categories.
Top 10 Overall Metered Markets
To date, the highest-rated markets on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC: Washington DC (4.3), New York (3.9), San Francisco (3.8), Los Angeles (3.4), Orlando (3.3), San Diego (3.3), Miami/Fort Lauderdale (3.2), Hartford/New Haven (3.2), West Palm Beach (3.1) and Richmond (3.1).
That will do it.
