Heading into Sunday’s championship game between Spain and Germany, the Euro 2008 tournament has drawn good ratings on the ESPN family of networks.
Through Monday, ESPN averaged a 0.9 cable rating with 1.1 million viewers for six Euro 2008 matches. The network’s highest rated match was Italy/Spain last Sunday, which drew a 1.4 cable rating and 1.9 million viewers.
The 0.9 rating and 1.1 million viewers mark increases of 80% and 116%, respectively, when compared to programming in the 2:30-5:00 PM timeslot last year.
ESPN2 is averaging a 0.5 rating and 635,000 viewers for its sixteen matches, also through last Monday. The highest rated match was the Sweden/Spain tilt on June 14, which drew a 0.9 cable rating with 1 million viewers.
Like ESPN, ESPN2 has seen a substantial increase over programming in the comparable time period (12 PM – 5 PM) a year ago. The 0.5 rating marks a 67% increase, and the 635,000 viewers accounts for a 75% jump.
So far, ABC has aired only one Euro 2008 match, drawing a 1.2 rating with 1.8 million viewers for Netherlands/Russia last Saturday. The match outdrew the competing third round of the Travelers Championship on CBS (1.1, 1.4 mil).
