First world cup game outdrew all NBA/NHL playoff games except NBA finals in the US

[Everlong]

http://awfulannouncing.com/2014/the-201 ... um=twitter

So, did you think that this year’s World Cup might be an event you can ignore? Well, think again. Based on the combined viewership numbers for ESPN and Univision, it could very well be a hit for both networks.

For the opening game of the World Cup, Brazil vs. Croatia, the combined audience for ESPN and Univision averaged 9.5 million viewers. ESPN drew an average of 4.4 million viewers while Univision actually beat the Worldwide Leader by drawing 5.1 million.

In Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, San Francisco and Sacremento, markets that have heavy Hispanic presences, Univision was the highest-rated station in each city. And in each of those markets, Univision has an over-the-air affiliate as compared to other markets where the network is cable-only.

Comparing the audience to other events, Brazil-Croatia has outdrawn all NHL postseason games on NBC and NBCSN, all of the NBA playoff games except for the finals, all of this season’s NASCAR Sprint Cup races and several MLB games on ESPN and Fox Sports 1.

To have this combined viewership for two teams that don’t have a natural rooting interest for Americans, both ESPN and Univision have to feel quite good as the World Cup continues in Group Play and then into the Knockout Round and the Final.

Crazy. Just another sign that that the sport is really starting to gain momentum in the US. This would have been unthinkable in years passed. The NBA finals games beat out the opener but other than that, soccer is victorious in the States.

[Kyle]

I'm sure it's also the fact that the US is a multicultural society.

[ShaneOfan]

I'm sure it's also the fact that the US is a multicultural society.

That and the fact that anymore only a small portion of the country watches either of those two sports. The media makes a bigger deal about the World Cup then they do the NBA playoffs or the NHL ones. Because it's a world event it is easier for non fan to get involved in. I mean who the hell would watch curling if it was on tv regularly. (well I would but I like the game) but people tune in during the Olympics.

[DBSoT]

This could also have to do with the fact that the NBA finals was very one sided and done quick, the Stanley Cup was being played by two cities who don't have very strong hockey followings, and the US has had a growing Hispanic population for many years now.

[DBSoT]

Football (soccer) won't be big in this country until the ratings for a non world cup game are even decent.

[HFX]

It's not just the hispanics, America is filled with people from Africa, the Middle East and Europe as well and soccer is the dominant sport in most of those places.

[AkydefGoldberg]

I think it's to do with the fact that it is a World Cup. I doubt the viewing figures would have been all that if it'd been a qualifier that the US needed to win to reach the finals but importantly, it's a positive sign and hopefully and more importantly, fans who've picked up the sport will continue watching after the WC, that's the real challenge.