MLS 2010 Season Viewership Down 12% on ESPN2

fscespn MLS 2010 Season Viewership Down 12% on ESPN2

So much for the "World Cup Bounce" that Major League Soccer must have been hoping for in the form of higher TV ratings after the most watched World Cup tournament in the history of the United States concluded in July. The TV ratings for MLS games on ESPN2 are in, and it's more of a "World Cup Splat." Regular season ratings for MLS on ESPN2 dropped 12% compared to last season.

According to Sports Business Daily, ESPN2 averaged 249,000 viewers for 25 MLS telecasts during the 2010 season, down 12% from last year (284,000, 24 telecasts), and down 2% from 2008 (253,000, 25 telecasts). To put the numbers in perspective, ESPN2 averaged 258,000 viewers for WNBA regular season games this year, and Versus averaged 366,000 viewers for IndyCar racing.

According toSports Business Daily, the top match of the season on ESPN2 was Sounders/Galaxy on July 4 (391,000) -- meaning that not a single MLS telecast on ESPN2 this season drew over 400,000 viewers.To put that in perspective, four telecasts topped 400,000 viewers last season.

How does the 391,000 number compare to the English Premier League matches shown on ESPN2 this season? For a 4:30am PT/7:30am ET Saturday game shown on September 25 between Manchester City and Chelsea, the viewing audience was 428,000. And earlier this year, in April 2010, the viewing audience for Manchester United against Chelsea on ESPN2 was 526,000.

While viewing numbers for MLS on ESPN2 took a significant tumble, TV ratings for MLS games on Fox Soccer Channel remained flat. Fox Soccer Channel, whose MLS telecasts aired primarily on Saturday nights, saw its slate of 31 matches average 53,000 viewers this season, flat with last season. Fox's Galaxy-Red Bulls match on August 14, which marked the first game for Red Bulls MF Rafael Marquez, was FSC! 's most- viewed game telecast this season with 144,000 viewers. To put that into context, Fox Soccer Channel's viewing audience for the 2010-11 opening weekend game between Liverpool and Arsenal was 291,000 viewers (an 8am PT/11am ET broadcast on a Sunday).

Critics will argue that ESPN2 and Fox Soccer Channel didn't promote the MLS games or that a network such as Versus would be able to do a better job. But the reality is that Major League Soccer has been a disaster on television this season. When viewers can choose to watch games from most major soccer leagues around the world, MLS will almost always lose because it can't compete on that level. Where Major League Soccer works best is on the local level providing quality entertainment at an affordable price for soccer fans who are fortunate to live near a MLS club. But for the vast majority of soccer fans nationwide, MLS is practically "invisible" on television even within its own country.

Meanwhile, let's hope the TV ratings for the 2010 MLS Playoffs are improved. There are definitely some enticing games on offer, but will fans turn up and watch the games on television? We'll have to wait and see.

Related posts:

  • MLS Viewership Down 9.5% On ESPN2 Viewership of Major League Soccer games on ESPN2 is down...
  • New MLS Soccer Shirts for 2010 Season Revealed The 2010 season of Major League Soccer begins on March...
  • MLS Playoff Ratings on ESPN2 Continue to Beat Premier League Thanks to Sports Media Watch for this nugget: ESPN2 averaged...



    • Watch Free Live Soccer Football Matches Online Here

    Comments

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    The Hottest Tour de France 2010 Podium Girls

    Image
    The annual Tour de France is among the most grueling races in all of sports. But every summer, hundreds of cyclists brave the plains, the mountains, the sun and the rain of France (and often the surrounding countries) to complete the 3,500-plus kilometer trek. But why? Fame? Sure, names like Lance Armstrong, Greg LeMond and defending champion Alberto Contador will go down in the annals of cycling history. Money? Certainly, the winners make some dough from winning and from the sponsorship deals that can result. The challenge of it all? No doubt, there are some competitors just looking to see where they rank among the top athletes in the sport. But there's another reason to race. If you win, you get to stand on the podium with some of the world's most beautiful women. Whether they're delivering handshakes, kisses or the radiant yellow jersey , these ladies serve as serious motivation t...
    Keep reading

    The 25 Hottest NFL Cheerleaders

    Image
    No matter what the situation, you can bet that there will be some sexy ladies on the sidelines cheering them on, just as they have been all season. Cheerleaders are a wonderful part of the game, but it's hard to see all of them during brief appearances during games, and it's way too time consuming to check all of them out online. That's why you have me. I personally looked through each cheerleader in the National Football League and picked out the hottest ones. So for your viewing enjoyment, here are the 25 Hottest NFL Cheerleaders. No. 25: Chiefs—Suzie Kansas City has it rough in professional sports. The Royals are the biggest punchline in baseball and the Chiefs have bombed what looks to be a promising season. KC is lo...
    Keep reading

    The 30 Hottest WAGs in Major League Baseball

    Image
    Baseball is finally back! With the Yankees and Red Sox kicking things off Sunday night, America's pastime is officially back in session. That means another year of home runs and diving catches. It also means another year to check out the finest talent baseball has to offer off the field. With Derek Jeter locked down and engaged to Minka Kelly, what other MLB players will step up as the playboys of the MLB? And what team is the most stacked with six different WAGs on this list? (Hint: It's not the Yankees) So step up to the plate. WAGs may not be as American as apple pie, but they sure are just as tasty. No. 30: Misty Mae Treanor—Matt Treanor (Rangers) It can't be easy when your wife is hotter than you, more famous, and also better at sports, but somehow Matt Trean...
    Keep reading