ESPN Q2 Viewership Drops Sharply, While NBC Sports Network Sees Audience Gains - SportsBusiness Daily | SportsBusiness Journal | SportsBusiness Daily Global
ESPN primetime numbers down big from last year, overall numbers are down for ESPN while NBCSN is just starting to pick up steam. And Fox Sports 1 about to open in a month, that'll hurt ESPN's numbers further.
Could we be seeing the beginning of the end?

24 HOURS IN DAY: On a total day basis, ESPN also saw the sharpest drop among cable sports nets. The net averaged 715,000 viewers on a 24-hour basis in Q2, down 20% and the lowest mark for the net since it averaged 690,000 viewers in ’07. While Golf Channel posted a slight decline in primetime viewership -- when it primarily runs re-airs of events -- the net’s total-day audience was up 8% and marked the best Q2 audience in Golf Channel history. The net was fueled by increased tourney viewership, as well as its most-viewed week during a U.S. Open on the East Coast. NBCSN saw the biggest jump among sports nets and also posted its most-viewed non-Olympic quarter ever.
ESPN primetime numbers down big from last year, overall numbers are down for ESPN while NBCSN is just starting to pick up steam. And Fox Sports 1 about to open in a month, that'll hurt ESPN's numbers further.
Could we be seeing the beginning of the end?