Ratings and viewership jumped by nearly a third for the quarterfinal round of the Euro 2012 soccer tournament.
The quarterfinal round of the Euro 2012 soccer tournament averaged a 1.3 U.S. rating and 1.918 million viewers on ESPN and ESPN2 last week, up 30% in ratings and 31% in viewership from coverage on ESPN and ABC in 2008 (1.0, 1.459M).
Sunday’s Italy/England match earned the top audience of the tournament-to-date with a 1.8 U.S. rating and 2.968 million viewers — up 50% in ratings and 55% in viewership from the comparable Spain/Italy match in 2008 (1.2, 1.911M).
The match was not only the most-viewed of this year’s tournament, but also drew a larger audience than all but one Euro 2008 telecast.
On Saturday, Spain/France drew a 1.1 and 1.758 million viewers — actually down 8% and 4%, respectively, from Russia/Netherlands on ABC in 2008 (1.2, 1.838M). Saturday’s match was the only telecast to suffer a decline compared to 2008.
The day before, Germany/Greece drew a 1.0 and 1.446 million, up 48% in ratings and 50% in viewership from Turkey/Croatia in 2008 (0.7, 962K).
Finally, Thursday’s Portugal/Czech Republic match scored a 0.9 and 1.238 million, up 19% and 12%, respectively, from Germany/Portugal in 2008 (0.8, 1.106M).
Overall, the Euro 2012 tournament is averaging a 0.8 U.S. rating and 1.144 million viewers on ESPN and ESPN2, up 60% in ratings and 63% in viewership from 2008 (0.5, 703K).
(Numbers from ESPN Media Zone)
