As expected, the 2014 World Cup has been a strong draw for both ESPN/ABC and Univision.
The opening weekend of the FIFA World Cup averaged approximately 7.5 million viewers across Univision and the ESPN family of networks (11 telecasts). Univision led the way with 3.8 million per match, up 45% from last year and the network’s best performance ever for the opening weekend.
ESPN/ABC averaged a 2.3 U.S. rating and 3.7 million viewers, up 2% in viewership from 2010, when the averages were boosted by a big performance for the United States/England match on ABC (13.1M). This year’s opening weekend did not feature any USA matches. With USA/England excluded, the networks’ viewership increased 37%.
The top individual telecast of the opening weekend was Univision coverage of the Brazil/Croatia opener (5.1M). ESPN drew 4.4 million for that match.
(Wknd. averages from ESPN Media Zone, Univision)
