The first 24 matches of UEFA Euro 2012 on ESPN have averaged 784,000 HH and just over one million viewers, up 79% and 82%, respectively, versus the group stage matches in ’08. Those matches garnered 439,000 HH and 552,000 viewers. ESPN Deportes averaged 161,000 HHs and 228,000viewers, up 123% and 138%, respectively, compared to '08. The group stages in '08 had 73,000 HHs and 96,000 viewers for ESPN Deportes. Below is a chart listing the ratings for the Euro 2012 group stage on ESPN for the top ten metered markets in the U.S.
|
RANK
|
MARKET |
RATING
|
RANK
|
MARKET |
RATING
|
|
1
|
N.Y. |
1.6
|
6
|
Richmond, Va. |
1.1
|
|
2
|
Miami-Ft. Lauderdale |
1.6
|
7
|
Atlanta |
1.1
|
|
3
|
Providence |
1.3
|
8
|
S.F. |
1
|
|
4
|
L.A. |
1.2
|
9
|
Jacksonville |
1
|
|
5
|
DC |
1.2
|
10
|
Austin |
1
|
AMERICANS DO LOVE SOCCER: MULTICHANNEL NEWS’ Mike Reynolds wrote ESPN “is netting major gains” with its coverage thus far (
MULTICHANNEL.com, 6/21). In Austin, Kevin Lyttle noted Euro 2012 is “making its presence felt in the United States, more than doubling TV ratings and carving a slice of the sports pie in Austin.” The tournament is “luring big crowds to soccer-friendly Austin bars at a typically dead time of the year.” Fado Irish Pub GM John O’Brien said, “We've put 250 to 300 people in here at times, including 60 to 70 outside on some 95-degree days. I looked around during a German match and said, ‘Where did they all come from?' I never knew there were so many Germans in Austin" (
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, 6/20). In Omaha, Tom Shatel wrote the “soccer-dissing crowd … isn’t going to like this,” but ESPN’s Euro 2012 ratings “during the first week beat” the College World Series ratings from ’11. In six matches, ESPN drew 1.33 million viewers per match with the Italy-Spain game drawing 2 million viewers. ESPN “has done a terrific job growing the CWS in Omaha,” but the event is “basically a two-week TV show to fill time in June.” The net “found something with better ratings potential and, voilà, [Spain national team F] Fernando Torres is getting more airtime than [Univ. of South Carolina baseball coach] Ray Tanner.” (
OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 6/18). SI’s Grant Wahl writes, "Even mainstream U.S. sports fans are noticing the fervent followings at Euro 2012” (
SI, 6/25 issue). NBCSPORTS.com’s Steve Davis wrote, “As you read the continued reports of boffo TV ratings … please keep this in mind: Americans do not like soccer. Or so we’re told. Again and again” (
NBCSPORTS.com, 6/21).
