MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 3: Arya Boston #4 of the South Carolina Gamecock reacts. … [+]
Over the years, the question has been asked: When will the network boost women’s sport by making it more visible?
But the truth is, as we saw in several announcements this week, the women’s college basketball national championship on ABC in the spring of 2023 and the NWSL championship game on CBS in prime time on October 29. is. Sports have audiences, and whenever there is a new opportunity, there is a track record that makes it easy for networks to put marquee events on the bigger platform. It helps the network stem an audience tide that is shrinking in virtually every other respect.
Let’s start with the decision by ESPN to move the national title game, widely expected to feature Aaliyah Boston and South Carolina, from ESPN to ABC.
NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Commission Chair and Athletic Director Beth Getz said: in the province of Ball. “We are grateful to ABC/ESPN for their partnership in the continued growth of the game and the championship.”
I mean, sure.But last year, the U.S. Championship game on ESPN Attracted 4.46 million viewersIt beat out every other cable TV show that night. And it was on par with what ABC showed that night, including American Idol.
Of course, the reason this is a deception is because broadcast TV can reach the North. 120 million households.ESPN? rapidly declining to 76 millionIt’s hard to imagine next year’s National Title Game ratings not going up dramatically. It’s clear that ABC is benefiting from this move, even if it’s only a small increase.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 29: NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman is interviewed by Pink. … [+]
The numbers are more mixed when it comes to NWSL title games on CBS. There’s no real baseline in the championship—he collected 525,000 eyeballs last season. This is a significant increase from his 2019, but still reflects the noon time slot. For CBS, it’s a chance to see what NWSL’s title game cam brings to audiences with his 60 Minutes lead-in. It’s safe to say that none of us who have covered the league up until a few years ago could have imagined this. , since when I left NWSL Commissioner Jeff Plush used to make deals Just like the league airs on TV in the middle of the season.
However, CBS has another important reason to improve NWSL’s marketing methods and capabilities. My contract with the league is coming to an end. Unlike in the Plush days, there is a growing understanding throughout the television world that women’s live sports are a goldmine of potential ratings.
Jessica Berman Who is not Jeff’s stuffed animalhave Emphasizing the importance of broadcast contact with a new television deal.
Needless to say, CBS heard her.
