The Women’s World Cup got off to an improved, but unimpressive, start over the weekend.
The opening weekend of the FIFA Women’s World Cup averaged a 0.6 overnight rating on the Fox Sports family of networks, according to Sports Business Daily, up 50% from comparable coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 in 2011 (0.4).
While the 50% increase looks impressive, keep in mind that the 2011 matches began in the morning (8:45 AM and 11:45 AM ET) and aired on cable. This year’s coverage aired in the afternoon and two of the four matches were on the FOX broadcast network.
Sunday’s Germany/Ivory Coast match was the top draw of the opening weekend with a 1.0 overnight rating. Norway/Thailand earned a 0.8 earlier in the day. On Saturday, Fox Sports 1 earned a 0.5 for the first match of the tournament — China against host nation Canada.
(Wknd. overnights from Sports Business Daily, ShowBuzz Daily)
