Also seeing that it was the last cable-centric weekend and it's mostly ABC and FOX from here out puts the OTA theory back into play.
Take the "L" (though not really that much of one) and move on
This is fine for now, but I do wonder how long ABC and FOX are willing to give the UFL such prime real estate. I get that it's in their best interests since they both (apparently) own part of the league; I just have a hard time envisioning more and more games NOT being kicked down to ESPN and FS1 for various reasons. And if that's the case, they do need to show decent ratings even for cable.
Well they just had a great week 6, and now a so-so week 7.
BTW the avg ESPN game in 2023 after week 1 was 573k and after week 2 was 549k - full season with playoffs 611k.
2024 ESPN Wk 7 was 605K, so its slightly out performing 2023 post weeks 1 and/or 2.
Fox Wk 7 2023 was Sat 4pm 703k.
And again the prior yr week 7 avg was 349k all networks both leagues, so they did destroy that.
MBG is correct that the loopsided nature of the 2024 season isn't helping nor is some less than expected QB play.
To your comment - what else are they going to put on? The NBA is going to take a toll on head-to-head no matter what they put up on ESPN. Its a tough next two weeks for UFL with NHL and NBA Conf Finals and Finals. Who is playing and when will even impact UFL viewership.
laxtreme56 wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 1:54 pm
If the WNBA doubles their next media deal as expected ($60M a year to $120M) I can see ABC giving them more time OTA.
If they get $120mm than the UFL is worth $175-200mm.
Betting on the GWH Caitlin will end in disappointment. 27 Years and getting 454k on ESPN which was up 10% from prior year and lets see what they do with writers strike over.
>> Overall, 15 WNBA games this season averaged at least 600,000 viewers, more-than-double last year’s total of seven. All four Finals games topped the 600,000 viewer mark, the first Finals since 2000 in which that was the case.The complete WNBA Playoffs averaged 470,000 viewers, up 3% from last year (456K) and the most-watched postseason in 16 years. The full season averaged 454,000 viewers across the ESPN networks, up 10% from last year and an 18-year high. <<
>> Stanley Cup playoff games were averaging a 0.57 rating and 1.09 million viewers through Sunday, up 7% in ratings and 10% in viewership from the same number of days last postseason (0.53, 990K). <<
The UFL regular season is averaging 838k thru week 7.
laxtreme56 wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 1:54 pm
If the WNBA doubles their next media deal as expected ($60M a year to $120M) I can see ABC giving them more time OTA.
If they get $120mm than the UFL is worth $175-200mm.
Betting on the GWH Caitlin will end in disappointment. 27 Years and getting 454k on ESPN which was up 10% from prior year and lets see what they do with writers strike over.
>> Overall, 15 WNBA games this season averaged at least 600,000 viewers, more-than-double last year’s total of seven. All four Finals games topped the 600,000 viewer mark, the first Finals since 2000 in which that was the case.The complete WNBA Playoffs averaged 470,000 viewers, up 3% from last year (456K) and the most-watched postseason in 16 years. The full season averaged 454,000 viewers across the ESPN networks, up 10% from last year and an 18-year high. <<
The WNBA will get that contract because it is being pushed hard. The Google Doodle today featured it. It is not about the ratings; it is about the message.
laxtreme56 wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 1:54 pm
If the WNBA doubles their next media deal as expected ($60M a year to $120M) I can see ABC giving them more time OTA.
If they get $120mm than the UFL is worth $175-200mm.
Betting on the GWH Caitlin will end in disappointment. 27 Years and getting 454k on ESPN which was up 10% from prior year and lets see what they do with writers strike over.
>> Overall, 15 WNBA games this season averaged at least 600,000 viewers, more-than-double last year’s total of seven. All four Finals games topped the 600,000 viewer mark, the first Finals since 2000 in which that was the case.The complete WNBA Playoffs averaged 470,000 viewers, up 3% from last year (456K) and the most-watched postseason in 16 years. The full season averaged 454,000 viewers across the ESPN networks, up 10% from last year and an 18-year high. <<
The WNBA will get that contract because it is being pushed hard. The Google Doodle today featured it. It is not about the ratings; it is about the message.
I think that's (google) just because the opening game is tonight. I'll be sure to miss it.
And $120mm isn't what it used to be just a few years ago.
Also seeing that it was the last cable-centric weekend and it's mostly ABC and FOX from here out puts the OTA theory back into play.
Take the "L" (though not really that much of one) and move on
This is fine for now, but I do wonder how long ABC and FOX are willing to give the UFL such prime real estate. I get that it's in their best interests since they both (apparently) own part of the league; I just have a hard time envisioning more and more games NOT being kicked down to ESPN and FS1 for various reasons. And if that's the case, they do need to show decent ratings even for cable.
Cable is dying. In the past 10 years, it's lost 40% of its reach, 40% of its viewers, 40% of its new content. Live sports hasn't been hit quite as hard by that yet, but it's getting tougher and tougher to justify putting fresh content on those platforms (yes, ESPN also has the Disney Bundle to carry games but they're an aberration). Right now you have to think that placing this content on over-the-air is a matter of viability. Kicking it down to cable is basically writing it off as a loss.
Fox committed to putting the UFL on prime time Fridays next season. They're clearly satisfied with the results so far, even if this week was unusually down.
And even so, a few weeks ago we learned that they've been selling advertising at a steep per-viewer discount compared to the NFL. There's obviously some room for revenue growth just by bringing ad rates closer to the industry rate (not even full price, even half), even if numbers revert to USFL or 2023 XFL levels.
