Other Sports U.S. soccer ratings top NBA Finals

Eleazar · 07-03-2014, 04:15 AM

NEW YORK -- An estimated 21.6 million people watched Belgium knock out the United States in the World Cup on U.S. television -- an impressive total for a weekday afternoon that almost certainly undercounts how many people actually saw it.

The Nielsen company said Wednesday that 16.5 million people watched the game on ESPN, with 5.1 million more seeing it on the Spanish-language Univision network. In addition, nearly 1.7 million people watched an online stream of the event, Nielsen said.

The record U.S. television audience for soccer is the 24.7 million who saw the United States play Portugal on June 24, which tied the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands.

The Portugal game took place on a weekend, however, when there were more people with free time available to watch. The U.S.-Belgium game started at 4 p.m. on the East Coast, earlier in other time zones, during a working day.

Nielsen does not measure viewership in bars, offices or other public places. In 2010, ESPN estimated that the stated audience size for weekday World Cup games would increase by 23 percent if public viewing were taken into account.

Still, Tuesday's knockout game exceeded the average viewership for the most recent World Series and NBA Finals, events that took place during prime-time when more people were home to watch.

The just-concluded NBA Finals where the San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat averaged 15.5 million viewers, with 18 million watching the final game. Last fall's World Series averaged 14.9 million viewers, with 19.2 million watching the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the last game.

U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said on Wednesday that everyone connected with the soccer team is excited to see how the sport is reaching a U.S. audience. He could see it coming, given the popularity of the game among young people and the large crowds that turned out for the team's sendoff games before the World Cup.

"Soccer is breaking through and gets its deserved recognition without taking anything away from the other big American sports," Klinsmann said.

He said it's important for people to identify with the way Americans played the game.

"The energy and the commitment and the tempo and the aggressiveness that we played with kind of made people proud at home and surprised a lot of people outside of the United States, maybe in Brazil or in Europe," he said.

The highest overall ratings for the U.S.-Belgium game came in New York, Nielsen said.

ESPN said that overall viewership for the World Cup is up 44 percent over 2010.

Jimmya · 07-03-2014, 05:25 AM

Soccer will only be popular in the US every 4 years.

Simply Red · 07-03-2014, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmya

Soccer will only be popular in the US every 4 years.

What can I say? I'm of this population that will be only watching the World Cup.

The Olympic 'feel' to it makes it exciting. I would have a harder time getting into

Soccer if/when it's US cities battling each other.

Really have enjoyed the WC though, no question.

Deberg_1990 · 07-03-2014, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmya

Soccer will only be popular in the US every 4 years.

Somewhat true because the MLS ratings are still generally very low.

The MLS has made enormous gains in 20 years, but I guess the perception that it's a "lesser" league hurts it amongst a lot of soccer fans.

KCUnited · 07-03-2014, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Somewhat true because the MLS ratings are still generally very low.

The MLS has made enormous gains in 20 years, but I guess the perception that it's a "lesser" league hurts it amongst a lot of soccer fans.

Honest question, is the MLS televised regularly? Do the majority of MLS fans watch other MLS games that don't include the team in their market? I'm a Royals fan, but I rarely watch other MLB baseball games. Living in KC, could I watch a San Jose/Salt Lake game on tv?

I might be more apt to check out some premiere league games now that I have some name recognition from the WC. I'd like to check out some MLS games as well.

**morphius** · 07-03-2014, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Honest question, is the MLS televised regularly? Do the majority of MLS fans watch other MLS games that don't include the team in their market? I'm a Royals fan, but I rarely watch other MLB baseball games. Living in KC, could I watch a San Jose/Salt Lake game on tv?

I might be more apt to check out some premiere league games now that I have some name recognition from the WC. I'd like to check out some MLS games as well.

I can't remember which channel it is, either Fox Sports 1 or NBC Sports will have a national game every week I believe. But I'm generally the same with Soccer as with Baseball, I watch Sporting and the Royals and that is it. Though I have pretty much reached that level with the NFL lately as well.

|Zach| · 07-03-2014, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Honest question, is the MLS televised regularly? Do the majority of MLS fans watch other MLS games that don't include the team in their market? I'm a Royals fan, but I rarely watch other MLB baseball games. Living in KC, could I watch a San Jose/Salt Lake game on tv?

I might be more apt to check out some premiere league games now that I have some name recognition from the WC. I'd like to check out some MLS games as well.

Every Sporting KC game is on here locally on 38 the spot though their next game this Sunday is on ESPN.

In addition to local broadcasts there are national games sometimes on ESPN or ESPN 2 other times on NBC Sports and every now and then on NBC.

Local viewership in MLS markets are decent but getting Sporting KC fans to watch Portland Timbers and Chicago Fire play is one of those things they want to continue to build.

Now having said that Sporting Kansas City vs Chicago Fire 2pm Sunday on ESPN!

Eleazar · 07-03-2014, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Somewhat true because the MLS ratings are still generally very low.

The MLS has made enormous gains in 20 years, but I guess the perception that it's a "lesser" league hurts it amongst a lot of soccer fans.

We haven't seen yet what kind of a boost MLS will get from the World Cup. You can go to MLS and see many or most of the players from the National Team, who just competed and held their own in the World Cup. That can only help.

**Rausch** · 07-03-2014, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmya

Soccer will only be popular in the US every 4 years.

Yup, but the fact it's even popular at all is a huge step forward...

TEX · 07-03-2014, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmya

Soccer will only be popular in the US every 4 years.

Yep.

|Zach| · 07-03-2014, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmya

Soccer will only be popular in the US every 4 years.

I am alright with this moving of the goal post.

GloryDayz · 07-03-2014, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmya

Soccer will only be popular in the US every 4 years.

So, even soccer has passed you up???

redfan · 07-03-2014, 06:50 AM

Currently as big as hockey? In 20 years, bigger than baseball?

ModSocks · 07-03-2014, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhed

Currently as big as hockey? In 20 years, bigger than baseball?

This year's World Cup crushed last year's World Series. The highest rated game from the World Series pulled 19million viewers.

It's sad that people spend so much time trying to convince others that a particular sport sucks, rather than just taking the time to learn and enjoy the sport. I've been hearing all month about how Americans dont like Soccer....yet the numbers suggest that it's only behind football.

It seems that more Americans enjoy the World Cup more than "America's favorite pastime".

There isn't an argument to be had anymore.

**Baby Lee** · 07-03-2014, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

This year's World Cup crushed last year's World Series. The highest rated game from the World Series pulled 19million viewers.

It's sad that people spend so much time trying to convince others that a particular sport sucks, rather than just taking the time to learn and enjoy the sport. I've been hearing all month about how Americans dont like Soccer....yet the numbers suggest that it's only behind football.

It seems that more Americans enjoy the World Cup more than "America's favorite pastime".

There isn't an argument to be had anymore.

I'd be perfectly happy if they just ignored it if they don't like it.

I can't think of any other entertainment or enjoyment medium that has more people popping in to tell others how much they dislike it.

I don't go to SoapOperaPlanet, or RealityTVPlanet to tell people there that I think their shows suck and only gay people watch them.

I don't go to VeganPlanet or IHeartBrussellsSproutsPlanet to tell that that their diet sucks and only gay people eat that way.

Maybe its just me.

07-03-2014, 04:15 AM	Topic Starter
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	U.S. soccer ratings top NBA Finals NEW YORK -- An estimated 21.6 million people watched Belgium knock out the United States in the World Cup on U.S. television -- an impressive total for a weekday afternoon that almost certainly undercounts how many people actually saw it. The Nielsen company said Wednesday that 16.5 million people watched the game on ESPN, with 5.1 million more seeing it on the Spanish-language Univision network. In addition, nearly 1.7 million people watched an online stream of the event, Nielsen said. The record U.S. television audience for soccer is the 24.7 million who saw the United States play Portugal on June 24, which tied the 2010 World Cup final between Spain and the Netherlands. The Portugal game took place on a weekend, however, when there were more people with free time available to watch. The U.S.-Belgium game started at 4 p.m. on the East Coast, earlier in other time zones, during a working day. Nielsen does not measure viewership in bars, offices or other public places. In 2010, ESPN estimated that the stated audience size for weekday World Cup games would increase by 23 percent if public viewing were taken into account. Still, Tuesday's knockout game exceeded the average viewership for the most recent World Series and NBA Finals, events that took place during prime-time when more people were home to watch. The just-concluded NBA Finals where the San Antonio Spurs beat the Miami Heat averaged 15.5 million viewers, with 18 million watching the final game. Last fall's World Series averaged 14.9 million viewers, with 19.2 million watching the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals in the last game. U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said on Wednesday that everyone connected with the soccer team is excited to see how the sport is reaching a U.S. audience. He could see it coming, given the popularity of the game among young people and the large crowds that turned out for the team's sendoff games before the World Cup. "Soccer is breaking through and gets its deserved recognition without taking anything away from the other big American sports," Klinsmann said. He said it's important for people to identify with the way Americans played the game. "The energy and the commitment and the tempo and the aggressiveness that we played with kind of made people proud at home and surprised a lot of people outside of the United States, maybe in Brazil or in Europe," he said. The highest overall ratings for the U.S.-Belgium game came in New York, Nielsen said. ESPN said that overall viewership for the World Cup is up 44 percent over 2010.
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07-03-2014, 05:25 AM	#2
Jimmya Veteran Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10024530	Soccer will only be popular in the US every 4 years.
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07-03-2014, 06:50 AM	#13
redfan Day one guy Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: BBQ Elitas Casino cash: $2051852	Currently as big as hockey? In 20 years, bigger than baseball? __________________ KC CHIEFS SB IV LIV LVII LVIII CHAMPIONS "65 Toss Power Trap!" "Triple Gun Trey Right 3 Jet Chip Wasp Y Funnel" "Orange You, Duo Left 30 XL 35 Y Corn Dog" "Trips Right Bunch F Shuttle, Tom&Jerry Right Yellow. Orange, Let's GO!!"
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