Viewership has increased by double-digits for the WNBA on ESPN2, although that positive trend did not benefit the league’s recent All-Star Game.
ESPN2 is averaging a 0.20 U.S. rating and 290,000 viewers for WNBA coverage, up 11% in ratings and 15% in viewership from last year (0.18, 253,000).
The 290,000 viewers for WNBA coverage actually tops the average for Major League Soccer on ESPN2 this season (251,000 through 14 games).
Despite the increased numbers this season, the WNBA All-Star Game suffered in the ratings. The game — a 99-72 blowout of the WNBA All-Stars by Team USA — drew a 0.34 U.S. rating and 429,000 viewers on ESPN July 10, down 15% and 17%, respectively, from last year’s game on ABC (0.40, 519,000).
The All-Star Game attracted 388,000 households, the lowest total in the game’s history. As recently as five years ago, the game drew over one million households.
(ESPN)
Re: WNBA All-Star Game — Is it reasonable to expect more people to watch on ESPN2 than on ABC? I think not.
A HUGE double digit increase of .02 rating points thats real buzz…people love the WNBA
wow