Comments on: MLS TV Ratings Continue Decline

By: ESPN2 Scores Record TV Ratings For Wigan v Man United « My Hot Topics

ESPN2 Scores Record TV Ratings For Wigan v Man United « My Hot Topics — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:21:00 +0000

[...] 374,799 compares to other leagues and tournaments. US National Team telecasts on ESPN and ESPN have averaged a 0.6 rating last year and the Euros averaged a 0.8 on the ESPN/ABC networks. ESPN2’s Thursday night rating [...]

By: 90-Minute Nap (aka Soccer in America) « Rants of the Uninformed

90-Minute Nap (aka Soccer in America) « Rants of the Uninformed — Thu, 14 May 2009 18:29:42 +0000

[...] Major League Soccer to the list as well. A league with a history of financial difficulties and dismal TV ratings (not to mention a litany of failed predecessors) will have a very difficult time surviving the [...]

By: cincyson

cincyson — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:18:55 +0000

I refuse to watch MLS untill they get rid of the playoffs and quit playing matches on pitches with line from the previous football game on the field.
Plus they need to pay the younger players a wage they can live on. The MLS is a 3rd tier league and most teams would be midtable in the fiizy pop league 1, and I dont mean the championship league.

By: eplnfl

eplnfl — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:09:51 +0000

The good news here is that the US soccer fan has so much soccer to watch it’s not just the MLS game on ESPN game or nothing. The surprising ratings for FSC show that there is a bigger market in the US then anyone may have thought. Is the MLS a victim of soccer’s new profile in the US. Possibly so. When ESPN/ABC is showing Euro 2008 it’s very likely many fans will not take the additional time out to watch a Thursday night MLS game. We all know a major international event will outshine our domestic league and most domestic leagues. So, you set your DVR and watch the big match when you get home. Same rules applies to CL matches vs. MLS.

On the other hand my interest in the EPL and world wide football as a whole has made me more interested in the MLS and my home town team the Chicago Fire.

By: Matt Johnston

Matt Johnston — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:16:15 +0000

I think Tom sort of hit the point. The problem that MLS has it a) not hyping the games enough and not getting ESPN to do the same and b) there is a scheduling problem.

I understand that MLS wants to broadcast the games live and that is good. However, the real issue is TV scheduling. If you want to build a good audience, you have to be consistent in your timing and scheduling. Too many times, from week to week, the Thursday game might be at 8:00pm Eastern or 11:00pm Eastern and that doesn’t build an audience. the same thing applies to the Saturday/Sunday games as well.

My suggestion to the league is take a page from teh NFL and schedule games at the same time, every week. If the Thursday night game on ESPN is NY vs. New england that the game should start at 9:00pm Eastern. If the game is LA v. Chivas, the game should start at 9:00pm Eastern.

On the weekends, have games start at 12:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm or 8:00pm Eastern. This allows for TV consistence and scheduling.

To build an audience, make it easy for your audience to find you.

By: FC Vandy

FC Vandy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:08:42 +0000

Meant to say I AGREE that the financial times are difficult. That was a big mistake.

By: FC Vandy

FC Vandy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:07:16 +0000

I disagree that the financial times now are difficult, but how can we be certain where the league really stands, unless you have inside information? TV ratings while necessary are not the sole metric the league can be judged by.

I for one wonder why every MLS TV arguement turns into people assuming that those of us defending MLS as a league are somehow trying to say it is the best league in the world. It is many, many, many years away from ever equally any mid level European league, however, that does not mean I will simply not support the league. I would rather be able to go to a live MLS game, then sit at home or in some pub, and watch a European game. And that statement has nothing to do with league quality.

By: bandeeto

bandeeto — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:45:55 +0000

DerrickSF,
Whose been drinking the cool-aid? Is that a general comment on MLS supporters, or a response to something in my post?

By: Phillip

Phillip — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:04:21 +0000

MLS was also paying tv networks back in the day to air their games. Now the league is being paid for the games.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:46:21 +0000

I think MLS are not doing enough to advertise the game. Half the time especially on ESPN I forget what game is on or what time cause it is never advertised, they do advertise up and coming games of FFC but non soccer fans are not going to see that. ESPN should be advertising on there other networks ABC during prime time to try and entise new fans.MLS need to get posters up in sports shops even in area’s that do not have a team.
As for MLS I think it has certainaly got better since I moved here from Scotland 4 years ago, no where near EPL standared but I think there are some quality players out there and the Beckhams and Blanco’s etc can only help the produce more talent coming through the ranks.