After a good start, ESPN’s Confederations Cup coverage dropped by more than a third for last week’s semifinals. In other news, Wimbledon viewership has increased slightly on ESPN, and overnights for the U.S. Women’s Open were virtually unchanged from last year.
Confederations Cup Semis Down Sharply on ESPN
- The Confederations Cup semifinals averaged a 0.5 U.S. rating and 759,000 viewers on ESPN last week, down 38% in ratings and 34% in viewership from 2009, when the United States advanced to the final (0.8, 1.2M). In particular, Spain/Italy earned a 0.6 and 863,000 viewers on Thursday afternoon, and Wednesday’s Brazil/Uruguay match scored a 0.5 and 618,000. Numbers for the Univision telecasts were not available. (ESPN)
Wimbledon Viewership Up Slightly Through Thursday
- ESPN and ESPN2 averaged a 0.4 U.S. rating and 508,000 viewers for coverage of Wimbledon through Thursday, flat in ratings and up 6% in viewership from last year (0.4, 478K). Among men 18-34, ratings increased by a whopping 80% over the first four days. (ESPN)
U.S. Women’s Open on Par With Last Year
- Final round coverage of the U.S. Women’s Open drew a 0.9 overnight rating on NBC Sunday afternoon, even with last year (0.9) and up a tick from comparable afternoon coverage in 2011 (0.8). Keep in mind NBC also aired a two-hour primetime window in 2011 due to inclement weather (1.3). On Saturday, third round action drew a 0.7 overnight — down a tick from last year (0.8), and even with 2011 (0.7). (Weekend numbers from Sports Business Daily)
