Recent sports TV ratings news, including Major League Soccer on ESPN2 and the latest edition of Shaq Vs. on ABC.
- Tuesday’s edition of Shaq Vs. drew a 2.6 final rating and 4.816 million viewers on ABC, up 24% in ratings and 46% in viewership from the third episode last season (2.1, 3.290 mil), and up 18% and 33%, respectively, from last week (2.2, 3.631 mil). The 4.816 million viewers marks the second-largest audience ever for the show. (pifeedback.com)
- ESPN2 averaged 257,000 viewers for Major League Soccer coverage through August 17, down 10% from the comparable point both last year (284,000) and in 2008 (286,000). The network’s top telecast of the season was Sounders/Galaxy on July 4 (391,000), one of six telecasts to top 300,000 viewers. To put that in perspective, seven telecasts topped 300,000 through the comparable date last year — including three that topped 400,000. (Sports Business Daily)
- Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series Carfax 250 drew 1.800 million viewers on ESPN2, up 10% from both last year (1.642 mil) and 2008 (1.643 mil). (ESPN)
