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Women's Sports Sundays Outdraws Expectations
11 Jul
Summary
- WNBA games average 1.04 million viewers on Women's Sports Sundays.
- Indiana Fever vs. Las Vegas Aces game attracted 1.6 million viewers.
- The new Sunday slot is financially beneficial for ESPN.
ESPN's recent shift to 'Women's Sports Sundays' has replaced its traditional 'Sunday Night Baseball' slot, and early performance indicates a positive outcome. Through the initial three weeks, WNBA games broadcast in this new slot have garnered an average viewership of 1.04 million.
A significant high point was the Indiana Fever taking on the Las Vegas Aces, which captivated 1.6 million viewers. This particular game saw a 53% increase in viewership compared to ESPN's WNBA regular-season average from the previous year. This surge highlights growing interest in women's professional basketball.
While 'Sunday Night Baseball' on NBC historically averages higher numbers, around 3.1 million viewers including streaming, the financial context is crucial. ESPN pays substantially less for the WNBA's media rights compared to MLB's, making the current viewership figures strategically valuable. ESPN also maintained MLB rights, though games were moved to less prominent weeknight slots.
Future success hinges on events like the upcoming NWSL game between Angel City FC and Racing Louisville FC on July 26. Strong viewership for this match would further validate the 'Women's Sports Sundays' concept and its potential for sustained success.
