ESPN FIFA World Cup 2014 Coverage Continues Significant Audience Growth

ESPN continues to post significant television and digital audience growth through the first 23 matches of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The ESPN television networks are averaging a 2.3 HH US rating and 3,722,000 viewers, increases of 21 percent (1.9 rating) and 26 percent (2,952,000 viewers), respectively, from the first 23 matches in 2010. Overall, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC have combined to reach more than 65,000,000 people through the first 17 matches, marking a 16 increase over 2010.

ESPN is also generating strong results across the key adult and male demos (18-34, 18-49 and 25-54). Among the key demo groups, the largest percentage increases from 2010 is among males 25-54 (a 17 percent gain, 2.1 vs. 1.8) and people 25-54 (a 25 percent increase, 1.5 vs. 1.2).

Below are ESPN fast national ratings for yesterday’s matches:

Colombia vs. Ivory Coast (ESPN): 1.5 HH US rating
England vs. Uruguay (ESPN): 2.3 HH US rating
Greece vs. Japan (ESPN): 2.1 HH US rating

To date, the top-10 markets on the ESPN Networks are: Washington, D.C., (4.6), San Francisco (3.9), New York (3.9), Hartford/New Haven (3.5), Los Angeles (3.5), Orlando (3.4), Miami/Ft. Lauderdale (3.3), Atlanta (3.3), Boston (3.3) and Richmond (3.2).