Ratings: NFL preseason, MLB, Soccer, Jr. NBA

Thursday’s Raiders-Cardinals NFL preseason game averaged a 1.5 rating and 2.40 million viewers on ESPN, down 6% in ratings and viewership from both Jets-Washington last year and Buccaneers-Jaguars in 2017 (1.6, 2.56M).

The Raiders’ easy win tied the lowest preseason rating on ESPN since 2004 (Jets-Colts: 1.3). It was also the network’s least-watched preseason game since at least 2007.

Outside of NFL Network, only one preseason game has averaged a lower rating and viewership in the past decade — Chargers-Rams on CBS two years ago (1.4, 2.22M).

Cubs-Phillies averaged a 0.35 rating and 522,000 viewers on ESPN Wednesday night, down 29% in ratings and viewership from last year (Red Sox-Phillies: 0.49, 740K), and down 41% and 39% respectively from 2017 (Yankees-Mets: 0.6, 855K). The past six Phillies games on national TV have declined, five by double-digits.

The Liverpool-Chelsea UEFA Super Cup averaged 316,000 viewers on TNT Wednesday, up 83% from Real Madrid-Atletico Madrid last year (173K), and up a fraction of a percent from Real Madrid-Manchester United on FS1 in 2017 (315K). Spanish-language coverage on Univision and TUDN averaged 500,000 (-28%), with the combined audience of 816,000 down 6% from last year (871K).

In other soccer action, the International Champions Cup averaged 180,000 viewers across the ESPN networks, down 13% from last year (208K). With several matches airing exclusively on ESPN+, ESPN and ESPN2 aired seven fewer telecasts than last year. Though viewership declined overall, ESPN’s four matches increased 7% over last year (from 245K to 261K).

Last Sunday’s Jr. NBA boys’ championship game averaged a 0.34 rating and 513,000 viewers on FOX, up 13% in ratings and 18% in viewership from last year (0.30, 434K). The preceding girls’ championship delivered a 0.27 (+8%) and 382,000 (+6%).