Television viewership for Major League Soccer has risen dramatically on ESPN and NBCSN.
ESPN and ESPN2 have averaged a 0.21 U.S. rating and 321,000 viewers for MLS coverage through last Wednesday, up 31% in ratings and 43% in viewership from the comparable point last year (0.16, 224K). Meanwhile, NBCSN has averaged 166,000 viewers for its coverage — up 81% from the same number of telecasts last year (91K).
The big increases are notable considering the recent success of the World Cup. However, it is not necessarily the case that MLS is experiencing a ‘World Cup bump.’
NBCSN, for example, has benefited from the addition of English Premier League coverage. Five of the network’s 13 telecasts had a lead-in from an EPL telecast, compared to zero such telecasts last year.
Meanwhile, it may be the case that ‘less is more’ for the ESPN networks. ESPN and ESPN2 have combined to air just six MLS telecasts so far this season (does not include Sporting KC/Galaxy on Saturday), down from 12 through the comparable point last year, reports Sports Media Watch.