Better TV windows boost viewership for MLS
By Ian Thomas, Staff Writer
Published November 20, 2017, Page 4
MLS’s television ratings still pale in comparison to its professional league peers, but it can point to another increase in viewership as further proof of the league’s growth.
In total, the 2017 MLS regular season had 26.3 million gross viewers across all U.S. networks,
up 4 percent from 2016 and up 41 percent since the 2014 season, according to the league and network figures. It signed its current media rights deal with ESPN, Fox and Univision, which runs through 2022, after that season. Rising ratings have become more rare in sports of late, and
MLS says it is the only league in North America to show consistent viewership growth since 2014.
“When we think about the way the media landscape is changing, not just in sports but across the board, we’re really proud that we’re showing growth, and are extremely bullish on that growth going forward,” said Seth Bacon, MLS senior vice president of media.
MLS broadcasts on Fox saw a 5 percent increase and Univision networks an 8 percent increase in average viewership for this past season. The average viewership of MLS broadcasts on ESPN networks was down less than 1 percent, although broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN2 individually had year-over-year increases of 1 percent and 9 percent, respectively.
According to MLS, viewership on TSN/CTV and TVA in Canada were both up 8 percent over the previous year, following new five-year deals with both broadcasters in January.
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