This isn’t going to be a regular thing, I’m just catching up from the last month or so of sports ratings reports I missed for various reasons. I have zero numbers for anything other than college football or golf from the Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend, so from now on the Top 20 Most-Viewed charts are going to be Top 10 Most-Viewed charts, because even then I’m not completely optimistic that Sunday’s US Open coverage, which had a 1.6 overnight, didn’t sneak in. (Monday’s coverage did get adjusted down two-tenths, though, so maybe it didn’t threaten so much.) This also means the sports ratings highlights are going to be substantially more limited in scope.
Oregon-Washington accomplished its goal, sort of, becoming the second most-watched program in FS1 history, indeed only the second FS1 program to top a million viewers and coming within a hair’s breadth of toppling #1, the UFC card from launch night. But that doesn’t mean Fox didn’t goof up when they moved the game to FS1 to begin with, even after another game involving Oregon against a Washington school also topped a million viewers this past weekend.
As this post explains, moving Oregon-Washington to FS1 wound up costing Fox Stanford-UCLA the following week, another game between ranked teams but one it actually had reason to move to FS1, to clear Fox’s schedule for the uncertainty of when the ALCS game would be on. That game ended up being half of an ABC/ESPN2 reverse mirror instead, and now Fox has to put the Pac-12 on broadcast all four weeks that have yet to be scheduled this season.
At the time the October 12 schedule was finalized, Oregon/Washington pitted #2 v. #15, while Stanford/UCLA pitted #5 against #12. So the average ranking of both games was the same, and Oregon/Washington was a bitter rivalry showcasing the exciting national-title-contending Ducks, but Stanford-UCLA was closer (and thus promised to be a more exciting contest) and would bring in the valuable Los Angeles and Bay Area markets as opposed to the smaller Pacific Northwest markets. So Stanford-UCLA could have had the exact same effect as Oregon-Washington, just a week later, maybe even topping that opening-night UFC card, for reasons other than just propping up the network, and Fox and the Pac-12 had to know at least that last part well before the season, certainly by the point that Fox was considering moving Oregon-Washington to FS1.
And the kicker? Fox needs to build its broadcast network as a college football destination too!
Top 10 Most-Viewed Programs in Fox Sports 1 History (through October 13)
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Time |
||
|
1 |
UFC Fight Night: Shogun v. Sonnen |
1.782 |
1.0 |
8/17 8:00 PM |
|
|
2 |
CFB: Oregon @ Washington |
1.765 |
1.0 |
|
10/12 4:00 PM |
|
3 |
UFC Fight Night Prelims |
0.881 |
0.5 |
8/17 6:00 PM |
|
|
4 |
The Ultimate Fighter 18, Women’s Qtrs: |
0.87 |
0.6 |
0.5 |
9/11 10:00 PM |
|
5 |
CFB: Washington State @ USC |
0.825 |
0.5 |
|
9/7 10:30 PM |
|
6 |
UFC Fight Night: Condit v. Kampmann 2 |
0.824 |
0.5 |
0.4 |
8/28 8:00 PM |
|
7 |
UFC 164 Prelims |
0.809 |
0.5 |
8/31 8:00 PM |
|
|
8 |
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: |
0.791 |
0.5 |
|
9/13 8:31 PM |
|
9 |
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series: |
0.783 |
0.6 |
|
8/17 12:31 PM |
|
10 |
The Ultimate Fighter 18, Women’s Qtrs: |
0.778 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
9/25 10:00 PM |
Numbers compiled from a variety of sources, including TV by the Numbers, The Futon Critic, Sports Media Watch, and Son of the Bronx. Top 10 Most-Viewed Sports Events lists also incorporate information from Sports Business Daily.
Top 10 Most-Viewed Sports Events for Week of August 19-25: NFL Dress Rehearsal Edition
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Time |
Net |
||
|
1 |
NFL Preseason: Vikings @ 49ers |
8.176 |
5.2 |
2.7 |
8/25 8:00 PM |
NBC |
|
2 |
NFL Preseason: Seahawks @ Packers |
7.684 |
4.8 |
2.3 |
8/23 8:00 PM |
CBS |
|
3 |
NASCAR: Irwin Tools Night Race |
6.322 |
3.9 |
|
8/24 7:30 PM |
ABC |
|
4 |
NFL Preseason: Saints @ Texans |
5.6 |
3.7 |
|
8/25 4:00 PM |
FOX |
|
5 |
NFL Preseason: Steelers @ Redskins |
5.575 |
3.8 |
2.1 |
8/19 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
6 |
The Barclays: Final Round |
4.6 |
3.0 |
|
8/25 2:00 PM |
CBS |
|
7 |
NFL Preseason: Rams @ Broncos |
4.416 |
2.9 |
|
8/24 8:00 PM |
CBS |
|
8 |
NFL Preseason: Panthers @ Ravens |
3.954 |
2.7 |
1.5 |
8/22 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
9 |
Little League World Series Champ.: |
3.947 |
2.5 |
8/25 3:00 PM |
ABC |
|
|
10 |
Little League World Series US Champ.: |
3.147 |
2.1 |
8/24 3:45 PM |
ABC |
Top 10 Most-Viewed Sports Events for Week of August 26-September 1: College Football Kickoff Edition
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Time |
Net |
||
|
1 |
CFB: Georgia @ Clemson |
8.14 |
4.8 |
|
8/31 8:15 PM |
ABC |
|
2 |
NASCAR: |
5.323 |
3.2 |
1.5 |
9/1 7:15 PM |
ESPN |
|
3 |
Chik-fil-A Kickoff Game: |
5.169 |
3.0 |
|
8/24 5:26 PM |
ESPN |
|
4 |
CFB: Rice @ Texas A&M |
4.208 |
2.7 |
|
8/31 12:57 PM |
ESPN |
|
5 |
CFB: Syracuse v. Penn State or |
3.67 |
2.4 |
|
8/31 3:30 PM |
ABC |
|
6 |
CFB: North Carolina @ South Carolina |
3.653 |
2.4 |
1.4 |
8/29 6:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
7 |
Deutsche Bank Championship: Round 3 |
3.2 |
2.2 |
|
9/1 2:30 PM |
NBC |
|
8 |
Cowboys Classic: LSU v. TCU |
3.172 |
1.9 |
|
8/31 9:05 PM |
ESPN |
|
9 |
CFB: Mississippi @ Vanderbilt |
2.74 |
1.9 |
1.3 |
8/29 9:15 PM |
ESPN |
|
10 |
CFB: Temple @ Notre Dame |
2.5 |
1.6 |
|
8/31 3:30 PM |
NBC |
Top 10 Most-Viewed Sports Events for Week of September 2-8: NFL Kickoff Edition
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Time |
Net |
||
|
1 |
NFL: Packers @ 49ers |
28.48 |
16.6 |
10.6 |
9/8 4:25 PM |
FOX |
|
2 |
Sunday Night Football: |
25.398 |
15.0 |
10.0 |
9/8 8:20 PM |
NBC |
|
3 |
NFL Kickoff Game: |
25.133 |
14.9 |
10.3 |
9/5 9:08 PM |
NBC |
|
4 |
NFL: Regional coverage |
15.5 |
9.5 |
|
9/8 1:00 PM |
CBS |
|
5 |
NFL: Regional coverage |
14.6 |
9.0 |
|
9/8 1:00 PM |
FOX |
|
6 |
CFB: Notre Dame @ Michigan |
8.653 |
5.3 |
3.2 |
9/7 8:00 PM |
ESPN |
|
7 |
CFB: South Carolina @ Georgia |
7.045 |
4.3 |
|
9/7 4:25 PM |
ESPN |
|
8 |
US Open Women’s Final: |
6.17 |
4.0 |
1.4 |
9/8 4:30 PM |
CBS |
|
9 |
NASCAR |
5.153 |
3.3 |
|
|
ABC |
|
10 |
CFB: Miami (FL) @ Florida |
4.596 |
3.1 |
|
9/7 12:00 PM |
ESPN |
Top 10 Most-Viewed Sports Events for Week of September 9-15: Dos a Cero Edition
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Time |
Net |
||
|
1 |
NFL: Broncos @ Giants |
26.42 |
15.8 |
9.1 |
9/15 4:25 PM |
CBS |
|
2 |
NFL: Regional coverage (or 4 PM ET) |
21.9 |
12.8 |
|
9/15 1:00 PM |
FOX |
|
3 |
Sunday Night Football: |
20.543 |
12.2 |
8.4 |
9/15 8:30 PM |
NBC |
|
4 |
Monday Night Football: |
18.161 |
11.1 |
6.6 |
9/9 6:58 PM |
ESPN+ |
|
5 |
CFB: Alabama @ Texas A&M |
13.6 |
8.5 |
|
9/13 3:30 PM |
CBS |
|
6 |
NFL: Regional coverage |
12.5 |
8.0 |
|
9/15 1:00 PM |
CBS |
|
7 |
Monday Night Football: |
11.875 |
7.6 |
5.0 |
9/9 10:39 PM |
ESPN+ |
|
8 |
Thursday Night Football: |
11.02 |
6.9 |
3.8 |
9/12 8:30 PM |
NFLN+ |
|
9 |
FIFA World Cup Qualifying: |
5.783 |
3.1 |
9/10 8:00 PM |
ESPN+ |
|
|
10 |
CFB: Notre Dame @ Purdue |
4.789 |
3.0 |
|
9/13 8:00 PM |
ABC |
Sports Ratings Highlights for Week of September 16-22: THE TOUR Championship Edition
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Net |
|
|
NFL: Regional coverage |
25.55 |
15.4 |
9.0 |
CBS |
|
NFL: Regional coverage (or 4 PM ET) |
20.9 |
12.5 |
|
FOX |
|
Sunday Night Football: |
20.51 |
12.2 |
7.7 |
NBC |
|
Monday Night Football: |
15.073 |
9.5 |
5.9 |
ESPN+ |
|
Thursday Night Football: |
11.117 |
7.0 |
4.0 |
NFLN+ |
|
NFL: Regional coverage (estimated) |
8.73 |
5.5 |
|
CBS |
|
CFB: Kansas State @ Texas |
5.727 |
3.5 |
1.7 |
ABC |
|
CFB: Michigan State @ Notre Dame |
4.9 |
3.2 |
|
NBC |
|
CFB: Tennessee @ Florida |
|
2.8 |
|
CBS |
|
CFB: Auburn @ LSU |
3.799 |
2.2 |
|
ESPN |
|
NASCAR |
3.706 |
2.4 |
0.8 |
ESPN |
|
CFB: Purdue @ Wisconsin or |
2.8 |
1.9 |
|
ABC |
|
THE TOUR Championship: Final Round |
2 |
1.4 |
|
NBC |
Sports Ratings Highlights for Week of September 23-29: MLB Home Stretch Edition
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Net |
|
|
NFL: Regional coverage |
26.67 |
16.1 |
9.3 |
FOX |
|
Sunday Night Football: |
20.49 |
12.5 |
7.6 |
NBC |
|
NFL: Regional coverage |
15.3 |
9.4 |
|
FOX |
|
Monday Night Football |
14.775 |
9.4 |
5.6 |
ESPN+ |
|
NFL: Regional coverage (or 4 PM ET) |
13.3 |
8.2 |
|
CBS |
|
Thursday Night Football |
8.25 |
5.3 |
3.2 |
NFLN+ |
|
CFB: LSU @ Georgia |
7.39 |
4.6 |
|
CBS |
|
CFB: Wisconsin @ Ohio State |
6.751 |
4.0 |
2.2 |
ABC |
|
CFB: Mississippi @ Alabama |
4.022 |
2.3 |
1.3 |
ESPN |
|
NASCAR |
3.969 |
2.4 |
1.0 |
ESPN |
|
CFB: Oklahoma @ Notre Dame |
3.89 |
2.6 |
|
NBC |
|
CFB: South Carolina @ Central Florida |
3.2 |
2.2 |
|
ABC |
Sports Ratings Highlights for Week of September 30-October 6: MLB Wild Card Edition
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Net |
|
|
NFL: Broncos @ Cowboys |
28.323 |
|
9.9 |
CBS |
|
NFL: Regional coverage (or 4 PM ET) |
19.6 |
11.7 |
|
FOX |
|
Sunday Night Football: |
17.686 |
|
7.0 |
NBC |
|
Monday Night Football: |
14.205 |
8.8 |
5.6 |
ESPN+ |
|
NFL: Regional coverage |
11.2 |
7.0 |
|
CBS |
|
Thursday Night Football: |
7.594 |
4.6 |
2.8 |
NFLN+ |
|
CFB: Ohio State @ Northwestern |
7.355 |
4.4 |
2.5 |
ABC |
|
CFB: Georgia @ Tennessee |
5.6 |
3.5 |
|
CBS |
|
AL Wild Card Game: Rays @ Indians |
4.743 |
3.1 |
1.4 |
TBS |
|
NL Wild Card Game: Reds @ Pirates |
4.599 |
3 |
1.4 |
TBS |
|
CFB: Regional coverage |
4.4 |
2.9 |
|
ABC |
|
(Liga MX: Club America v. Guadalajara) |
4.2 |
~.9 |
Univ. |
|
|
NASCAR |
4.162 |
2.6 |
1.0 |
ESPN |
|
NLDS Game 2: Dodgers @ Braves |
4.136 |
2.7 |
1.1 |
TBS |
|
CFB: Arizona State v. Notre Dame |
3.681 |
2.3 |
0.9 |
NBC |
|
ALDS Game 1: Tigers @ Athletics |
3.56 |
2.4 |
1.1 |
TBS |
|
NLDS Game 1: Dodgers @ Braves |
3.531 |
2.3 |
1.1 |
TBS |
|
NLDS Game 3: Braves @ Dodgers |
3.362 |
2.1 |
0.9 |
TBS |
|
ALDS Game 2: Tigers @ Athletics |
3.311 |
2.1 |
0.9 |
TBS |
|
ALDS Game 2: Rays @ Red Sox |
3.014 |
1.9 |
0.8 |
TBS |
|
AL Wild Card Tiebreaker: |
2.938 |
2.0 |
0.9 |
TBS |
|
NLDS Game 3: Cardinals @ Pirates |
2.931 |
1.8 |
0.7 |
TBS |
|
NLDS Game 1: Pirates @ Cardinals |
2.599 |
1.7 |
0.7 |
TBS |
|
CFB: Washington @ Stanford |
2.572 |
1.6 |
1.0 |
ESPN |
|
NFL: Chargers @ Raiders |
2.532 |
1.6 |
1.2 |
NFLN |
|
ALDS Game 1: Rays @ Red Sox |
2.417 |
1.7 |
0.6 |
TBS |
|
NLDS Game 2: Pirates @ Cardinals |
0.832 |
0.6 |
|
MLBN |
Sports Ratings Highlights for Week of October 7-13: Division Series Climax Edition
|
Vwr (mil) |
HH |
18-49 |
Net |
|
|
NFL: Saints @ Patriots |
26.736 |
|
9.2 |
FOX |
|
Sunday Night Football: |
22.074 |
|
8.4 |
NBC |
|
Monday Night Football: |
12.103 |
7.9 |
4.4 |
ESPN+ |
|
Thursday Night Football: |
9.416 |
5.9 |
3.1 |
NFLN+ |
|
ALCS Game 2 |
8.439 |
|
2.4 |
FOX |
|
ALCS Game 1 |
6.8 |
|
1.9 |
FOX |
|
NLDS Game 5: Pirates @ Cardinals |
6.09 |
3.9 |
1.6 |
TBS |
|
NASCAR |
5.56 |
|
1.3 |
ABC |
|
NLCS Game 1 |
5.45 |
3.5 |
1.5 |
TBS |
|
ALDS Game 5: Tigers @ Athletics |
5.445 |
3.5 |
1.5 |
TBS |
|
ALDS Game 4: Red Sox @ Rays |
5.159 |
3.6 |
1.5 |
TBS |
|
CFB: Texas A&M @ Mississippi |
5.114 |
3.2 |
1.9 |
ESPN |
|
ALDS Game 3: Red Sox @ Rays |
4.5 |
2.9 |
1.2 |
TBS |
|
CFB: Michigan @ Penn State |
4.04 |
2.6 |
1.3 |
ESPN |
|
NLDS Game 4: Braves @ Dodgers |
3.894 |
2.5 |
1.4 |
TBS |
|
ALDS Game 4: Tigers @ Athletics |
3.804 |
2.6 |
0.9 |
TBS |
|
NLCS Game 2: Dodgers @ Cardinals |
3.447 |
2.2 |
|
TBS |
|
CFB: Missouri @ Georgia |
3.012 |
2.1 |
|
ESPN |
|
NLDS Game 4: Cardinals @ Pirates |
2.592 |
1.8 |
0.6 |
TBS |
|
CFB: Alabama @ Kentucky |
2.56 |
1.5 |
0.8 |
ESPN2 |
|
CFB: Oregon @ Washington |
1.765 |
1.0 |
|
FS1 |
|
NLDS Game 4: Braves @ Dodgers |
1.267 |
|
0.4 |
TNT |
|
ALDS Game 3: Athletics @ Tigers |
0.912 |
0.7 |
|
MLBN |