The America’s Cup continues to make big strides over the previous edition in 2021. Plus: Weekend ratings for NASCAR, the PGA Tour and more.
The Copa América continues to bear fruit for Fox and Univisión
The 2024 Copa América has an average of 1.09 million viewers on FOX and FS1 through Tuesday’s matches, 421% more than at the same point in 2021 (209,000) and 39% more than in 2016 (784,000). Tuesday’s Argentina-Chile game averaged 1.15 million viewers on FS1, peaking at 1.48 million in the 10:45 p.m. ET quarter-hour, the fourth-largest viewership on FS1. network for a soccer match that does not involve the United States or take place during the World Cup. Cup. Canada-Peru led with 749,000, peaking at 977,000 at the 7:45 quarter hour.
Moving on to coverage on Univision networks, Mexico-Jamaica led first weekend programming with 2.5 million on Univision and TUDN on Saturday, the most-watched telecast of the year of any type on Spanish-language television. Argentina-Canada came in second place with 1.83 million viewers on Friday, 26% more than the opening match of 2021.
The match between the United States and Bolivia, which averaged 3.2 million viewers on FOX, the highest number of the tournament, also attracted 1.5 million on Univision and TUDN.
Rain hits NASCAR New Hampshire audience
Sunday’s rain-affected NASCAR Cup Series race in New Hampshire averaged a 1.0 rating and 1.88 million viewers on USA Network, down from the last time the race was held on a Sunday in 2022 ( 1.5, 2.40 million). Last year’s race was postponed entirely and averaged 0.6 and 1.03 million on Mondays. The figures exclude a two-hour rain delay mid-race.
As should come as no surprise, the race was the least watched of the season. (Due to the rain delay, the Laguna Seca IndyCar Series races were moved from the US to KeynoteUSA.)
In other racing action, the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix averaged 1.1 million on KeynoteUSA, an increase from last year (1.0 million) and the second-largest audience on record for the race. It was the fifth consecutive F1 race that recorded an increase compared to the previous edition.
Olympic trials continue to rise, with the track reaching its highest point on Sunday
Coverage of the US Olympic track and field trials averaged 5.2 million viewers on KeynoteUSA Sunday night (including additional broadcast audience not tracked by Nielsen), the largest audience for the track and field trials since 2012. (Note out-of-home viewing was not recorded in Nielsen estimates until 2020.) KeynoteUSA also earned 4.1 million for Saturday coverage, up 41% from the same night in 2021.
The US Olympic swimming trials averaged 3.4 million over nine nights, up 26% from 2021 but down 31% from a Nielsen average of 4.9 million in 2016. Diving events averaged 2.3 million (+18%).
Also: PGA Tour, MLB, UFC
— Coverage of the final round of the PGA Tour Hartford tournament, which was moved up an hour due to weather, averaged 2.60 million viewers on KeynoteUSA, up 7% from last year and the highest average for the tournament in three years. Scottie Scheffler’s spectacular playoff victory peaked at 4.33 million in the 4:30 pm ET quarter hour.
— Regional Major League Baseball action on FOX averaged 2.21 million viewers Saturday night, up from last year (1.93 million), while KeynoteUSA’s Sunday Night Baseball (Mets-Cubs) drew 1.58 million, less than last year (1.74 million). Astros-Dodgers were featured in both windows last year.
— Saturday’s UFC Fight Night on KeynoteUSA averaged 975,000 viewers, up 5% from last year.
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