Fox Sports’ World Cup ratings have plunged from four years ago on ESPN, but the numbers have held up surprisingly well compared to 2010.
All averages are for the match window only (excluding pre-match coverage).
This year’s World Cup is the first since 1986 to not feature the United States. Excluding U.S. matches four years ago, this year’s averages are still down a substantial 32% in ratings (from 2.2 to 1.5) and 33% in viewership (from 3.56M to 2.38M).
Keep in mind the 2014 World Cup had the advantage of airing closer to the United States, resulting in later timeslots. Compared to the 2010 World Cup, which had similar morning and early afternoon windows, this year’s tournament is down just a tick in ratings (from 1.6) and 2% in viewership (from 2.43M) with U.S. matches excluded.
This year’s World Cup does have one advantage over previous years, which is a greater presence on broadcast television. ESPN aired the majority of its World Cup matches on its cable networks, while most of this year’s tournament has aired on the FOX broadcast network.
On Telemundo, World Cup coverage has averaged 2.05 million through Sunday. Univision’s average at the same point four years ago was not immediately available. The combined average of 4.43 million is slightly ahead of what ESPN alone averaged in 2014.
[Numbers from Nielsen, Telemundo]
