Ratings held steady for the first round of the 2010 WNBA Playoffs on ESPN2.
Five first round WNBA Playoff games averaged a 0.23 U.S. rating and 311,000 viewers on ESPN2, flat in ratings and viewership compared to opening round coverage last year (0.23, 312,000), and up 15% and 11%, respectively, from the first round in ’08 (0.20, 282,000).
The network averaged 262,000 households for first round coverage, down 1% from last year (264,000), but up 14% from ’08 (229,000).
Though the first round has yet to be completed, ESPN2 is not scheduled to air any more games until the WNBA Finals. ABC will carry Storm/Mercury Game 2 on Sunday, with all other games likely airing on NBA TV.
To put the numbers in perspective, Versus averaged 595,000 viewers for first round coverage of the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs and ESPN2 averaged 392,000 for the first two rounds of the 2009 MLS Playoffs (averages for the first round alone were not available).
(ESPN)
