As one could reasonably expect, the ESPY Awards delivered much stronger numbers on broadcast television than in any previous year on cable.
The 2015 ESPY Awards drew a 6.0 overnight rating on ABC Wednesday night, up 253% from coverage on ESPN last year (1.7). ESPN2 simulcast last year’s show, but the combined overnight was not available. The 6.0 is easily the highest in the history of the ESPY Awards (dates back to 1993).
This year’s ESPY Awards aired on ABC for the first time ever and was also tape-delayed on the West Coast. The previous six editions aired live in all time zones on ESPN.
Of note, Wednesday’s telecast trailed the previous night’s MLB All-Star Game by just 23% in the metered markets (7.8 to 6.0), compared to a 79% gap last year (8.1 to 1.7). The MLB game, of course, had the disadvantage of airing live on the West Coast (5-8 PM).
(Wed. overnight from Sports Business Daily)
