Fox’ coverage of the U.S.-Japan FIFA Women’s World Cup final yesterday, in which the U.S. scored four goals in the first 16 minutes en route to a 5-2 win, drew a 15.2 overnight rating, marking the best figure on record for a soccer match in the U.S. on a single net. That figure passes the previous record of a 13.3 established for the U.S.’ last World Cup title, won against China in ’99. Yesterday’s match was up from the 8.6 overnight for the Japan-U.S. ’11 WWC final, which aired in the afternoon. The broadcast last night peaked at an 18.3 from 8:45-9:00pm ET, which included the U.S.’ winning celebration. The top market was K.C. with a 20.6 local rating, followed by St. Louis (20.5) and San Diego (19.5) (Fox).
GAME IS IN GOOD HANDS: In Tampa, Tom Jones writes many "were skeptical that Fox would be able to match what ESPN has done with recent World Cups, but the network did itself proud the past month." Pregame shows "were full of interesting features." The Fox booth calling all U.S. games -- JP Dellacamera, Cat Whitehill and Tony DiCicco -- was "well-prepared, though occasionally dry" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/6). Fox Sports WWC Exec Producer David Neal last night said that the net "had changed the preconceived notions of those viewers who believed the network could not handle the production of a World Cup." Neal said, "I think we proved we are more than qualified custodians of this property." SI.com's Richard Deitsch writes "if nothing else, soccer viewers have to feel more optimistic about how Fox will cover" the '18 World Cup in Russia. Fox also "would be wise to retain British host Kate Abdo" for '18. Fox studio host Rob Stone "proved he could handle the all-important role ... for a mega-event." While a three-person booth in soccer can be "too crowded," the trio of Dellacamera-Whitehill-DiCicco "made it work, with DiCicco standing out in most games" (SI.com, 7/6).
TRUTH IN ADVERTISING: In N.Y., Phil Mushnick writes Fox "could have chosen to clearly, honestly note its two-hour pregame" in advertising for the U.S.-Japan game on its other programming. The game kicked off at 7:00pm, but Fox "chose to tell a two-hour lie" by stating U.S.-Japan started at 5:00pm (N.Y. POST, 7/6).
