ESPN hit a grand slam with its coverage of the Home Run Derby.
The 2008 Home Run Derby drew an impressive 5.5 national rating with 9.1 million viewers on ESPN July 14, up 28% and 34% respectively from last year. The Derby was the highest rated since 1999 (5.8 national rating), and the most viewed since 1998 (9.2 million viewers).
The 9.1 million viewers made the Home Run Derby the most watched program on cable for the year so far, surpassing the previous title holder, a Democratic Debate on CNN. Numbers peaked during Josh Hamilton‘s 28 home-run first round, with over ten million viewers.
The Derby was easily the most watched program of the week, beating the much hyped season premiere of The Closer, which finished second for the week, by 17%.
This marks the seventh time in the past ten weeks a sporting event has finished as the most watched program of the week on cable.
Most watched programs of the week on cable.
last ten weeks
5/12-5/18: NBA, Jazz/Lakers Game 5 (3.6 rating, 5.4 million viewers, TNT)
5/19-5/25: NBA, Spurs/Hornets Game 7 (4.3 rating, 6.5 million viewers, TNT)
5/26-6/1: NBA, Lakers/Spurs Game 4 (4.8 rating, 7.2 million viewers, TNT)
6/2-6/8: NASCAR, Pocono 500 (3.9 rating, 6.1 million viewers, TNT)
6/9-6/15: NASCAR, LifeLock 400 (3.3 rating, 5.1 million viewers, TNT)
6/16-6/22: Camp Rock (4.7 rating, 8.9 million viewers, Disney Channel)
6/23-6/29: WWE Raw (3.4 rating, 6.2 million viewers, USA)
6/30-7/6: NASCAR, Coke Zero 400 (3.8 rating, 6.4 million viewers, TNT)
7/7-7/13: WWE Raw (3.1 rating, 5.8 million viewers, USA)
7/14-7/20: MLB, Home Run Derby (5.5 rating, 9.1 million viewers, ESPN)
