Though the World Cup is the most watched sporting event across the globe that doesn't mean the domestic ratings in the states are too terrific. Thanks to better game times, however, both Univision and ABC are giving a high-five with the increased viewership.
World Cup Hurts Tentpole Films
According to Variety, Univision's exclusive Spanish-language coverage of the World Cup is breaking viewership records in all key demos, with this year's soccer tourney on pace to become the most watched in U.S. history.
But don't think those understanding Spanish are alone on this one.
ABC got off to a solid start in the Nielsen overnights for the opening weekend of the World Cup, scoring a 2.8 household rating for three matches -- a 65% ratings jump from the analogous contests on ABC four years ago.
On Univision, the first eight games played in Germany have averaged 2.6 million viewers, nearly tripling the average of the first eight games of the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan.
Viewers between the ages of 12 and 17 have shot up significantly.
Though the sport has grown in popularity in the United States, the number one factor for the ratings boost has been the time live games. Back in 2002 fans were waking up between 1AM and 4AM to watch their favorite teams play. Now the games play during the morning or afternoon.
WXTV New York claims four times more people have been watching soccer than the 2004 Summer Olympics.
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