World Cup Ratings Upswing in U.S. Continues

U.S. vs. Slovenia was ESPN’s top-rated soccer telecast

 

World Cup soccer fever continues to heat up across the U.S.

The United States vs. Slovenia match, which ended in a 2-2 tie Friday, was the most-watched soccer telecast in households (3.9 million) on ESPN in the network's history, and was the third most-viewed telecast ever on the cable network with 5.2 million viewers.

The Mexico vs. France match on Univision on Friday was the most-watched World Cup match so far this tournament with 5.8 million viewers, according to Nielsen Co. fast nationals data.

Through Friday, ESPN and ABC combined have averaged 2.9 million viewers, up 73 percent over the same period for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Univision is averaging 2.3 million total viewers, up 13 percent.

Univision has been drawing a sizable portion of younger viewers, with adults 18-49 averaging 1.3 million viewers and adults 18-34 averaging 752,700, and persons 12-34 averaging 925,000.

The Mexico vs. France match on Univision drew a whopping 3.4 million adults 18-49, 2.1 million adults 18-34 and 2.7 million persons 12-34.

The viewership is carrying over to the networks' websites. World Cup content on all ESPN sites, including ESPN Soccernet and ESPN Deportes, delivered 40.4 million visits and 137.9 million page views from June 11-18.

Univision's website has drawn 14 million visits and 108 million page views for the same period. And over 5 million visits and 24.5 million page viewers have been served on Univision's mobile platforms during the first week of the World Cup.

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