Pros

MLS Final Viewing Figures Up On Last Year
November 24, 2005


Nearly three quarters of a million households tuned in to see the Revolution battle the Los Angeles Galaxy in this year’s MLS Cup Final. Nielsen Media Research reports that MLS Cup 2005, shown on ABC, drew a 1.0 rating, which equals 1 percent of the nation's 77 million overnight TV households.

770,000 households tuned in to see the Galaxy’s 1-0 triumph, which represents a 25 percent increase on the number that watched last year's 3-2 win by D.C. United over Kansas City. However, the ratings are lower than those for the first two MLS Cups, in 1996 and 1997.

The top Nielsen metered market was Boston, the nation's fifth largest market, which drew a 2.8 rating (5 household share). Los Angeles, the nation's second biggest market, drew the fifth highest rating at 1.5 (4 share). Separating Boston and Los Angeles were Cincinnati (1.7/3 share), Austin (1.6/3) and Detroit (1.5/3).

The final competed with Fox's regionalized broadcast of the NFL's Washington-Tampa Bay game, which drew 11.6 million households and was the weekend's (Nov. 12-13) highest rated sports telecast. NASCAR Checker Auto Parts 500, on NBC starting during MLS Cup, drew a 4.0 (3 million homes) rating.

The highest rating among markets with an MLS team besides New England and Los Angeles came in Washington, D.C., seventh at 1.2 (3 share).

To view the statistics in full, click here.