CARSON, Calif. – Major League Soccer’s television ratings on all ESPN platforms have increased over the past year, according to the network.
According to the network, ratings on ESPN and ESPN 2 have increased by 32 percent in viewership and 44 percent in television homes. Viewership has also improved by 127 percent on the WatchESPN app and 44 percent on ESPN Deportes.
In a statement, the network announced that MLS games on ESPN and ESPN2 have enjoyed an average audience of 312,000 viewers, up from 235,000 viewers this time last year. ESPN Deportes has also seen viewership gains from 32,000 in 2015 to 46,000 this year.
“As we enter the All-Star break, we are delighted to see such substantial year-over-year gains in audience across ESPN platforms and in key demographics for Major League Soccer,’’ Scott Guglielmino, ESPN’s senior vice president for programming and acquisitions, said. “We look forward to continue working with Major League Soccer to keep up the momentum as we enter a very busy fall sports calendar.’’
The network also noticed gains in some key demographic trends this year. To date, viewership among males 18 to 34 is up 22 percent. ESPN has also seen a 13 percent rise among male viewers ages 18 to 49, as well as, an 18 percent overall viewers 18 to 49. ESPN Deportes and WatchESPN also saw an uptick in the average minute audience in 2016 over 2015.
Viewership is also up in general among Hispanics by 14 percent for games on ESPN and ESPN 2. Hispanics aged 18 to 34 also a rise of eight percent for games on ESPN and ESPN 2.
The Galaxy were directly involved in one of the three highest watched games, as their clash with Seattle Sounders FC earlier this month drew a 0.4 rating, with 536,000 viewers in 421,000 households. The highest viewed game to date was Seattle's match with New York City FC with 616,00 viewers, while the Portland Timbers-Vancouver Whitecaps FC match came in third with 463,000 watching.
