Having the most-watched game of the first 23 World Cup matches certainly helps and ESPN is using that to run to the bank in viewership for the beautiful game’s ultimate event.
ESPN says it has reached more than 65 million people since the World Cup began on June 12. It’s been averaging a 2.3 rating (up 21% from 2010 in South Africa) and a viewership of 3.722 million (up 26% from four years ago).
In addition, ESPN is seeing increases in key demographics in 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.
The highest-rated game on Thursday was the England-Uruguay match which averaged a 2.3.
The Top 10 local markets are heavily skewed for the Eastern time zone as eight are ranked highest in the country including Washington, DC, New York, Hartford, Orlando, Miami, Atlanta, Boston and Richmond, VA.
And online, WatchESPN is averaging 783,000 viewers and that’s up 160% from 2010. Having these games available online has been a great help especially when driving or eating out.
Here’s ESPN’s announcement.
ESPN’s FIFA World Cup Coverage Continues Significant Audience Growth
ESPN’s Telecasts Reach 65,000,000 People, Posts Double-Digit Viewership Increases
Triple-Digit Audience Growth Across ESPN Digital PlatformsESPN continues to post significant television and digital audience growth through the first 23 matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The ESPN television networks are averaging a 2.3 HH US rating and 3,722,000 viewers, increases of 21 percent (1.9 rating) and 26 percent (2,952,000 viewers), respectively, from the first 23 matches in 2010. Overall, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC have combined to reach more than 65,000,000 people through the first 17 matches, marking a 16 increase over 2010.
ESPN is also generating strong results across the key adult and male demos (18-34, 18-49 and 25-54). Among the key demo groups, the largest percentage increases from 2010 is among males 25-54 (a 17 percent gain, 2.1 vs. 1.8) and people 25-54 (a 25 percent increase, 1.5 vs. 1.2).
Below are ESPN fast national ratings for yesterday’s matches:
- Colombia vs. Ivory Coast (ESPN): 1.5 HH US rating
- England vs. Uruguay (ESPN): 2.3 HH US rating
- Greece vs. Japan (ESPN): 2.1 HH US rating
To date, the top-10 markets on the ESPN Networks are: Washington, D.C., (4.6), San Francisco (3.9), New York (3.9), Hartford/New Haven (3.5), Los Angeles (3.5), Orlando (3.4), Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (3.3), Atlanta (3.3), Boston (3.3) and Richmond (3.2).
ESPN Digital Platforms
- Through 23 World Cup matches, WatchESPN has averaged 783,000 viewers, a 160 percent increase over 2010.
- ESPNFC.com is averaging 4,300,000 daily video starts during the World Cup, marking a 882 percent increase over 2010.
- ESPN’s SportsCenter App is averaging 3,900,000 daily unique visitors through the first week for a 382 percent increase over 2010.
More stuff later.
