THE DAILY lists the final season Nielsen TV ratings for
MLS on its broadcast and cable partners: ABC, ESPN/ESPN2.
NET YEAR # OF GAMES RAT/SHR (HHS) %+/-
ABC '98 11 0.9/2
'99 4 0.9/3 Even
'00 3 0.7/2 -22%
ESPN '98 10 0.45/(383,300)
'99 11 0.34/(261,406) -24%
'00 6 0.34/(264,396) Even
ESPN2 '98 24 0.22/(126,400)
'99 21 0.26/(168,432) +18%
'00 19 0.22/(156,630) -15%
HIGHEST-RATED GAMES: The highest-rated MLS telecast on
ABC was the August 12 Mutiny-Earthquakes match, which earned
an 0.8/2. The highest-rated telecast on ESPN was the June
24 MetroStars-Rapids match, which earned a 0.41/(323,190
HHs). The highest-rated telecasts on ESPN2 were the season-
opening March 26 MetroStars-Fusion match, which earned a
0.35/(240,912 HHs) and the May 20 United-Galaxy match, which
produced a 0.35/(244,188 HHs)....This year's July 29 All-
Star Game on ABC earned a 0.9/3 and is not factored into the
analysis. The '99 MLS All-Star Game was bumped from ABC to
ESPN2 due to network coverage of the JFK Jr. plane crash.
That game earned a 0.42/(271,350 HHs), but is not included
in the analysis (THE DAILY)....For broadcast numbers, one
ratings point = 1,008,000 homes.
