Ion believes that its first year of broadcasting NWSL game was a victory by utilizing its WNBA handbook and capturing a sizable audience of feminine viewers in comparison to other networks.
The community mirrored its WNBA Friday night doubleheader, which saw an average market of 145, 000 viewers watch 50 NWSL games, with the majority of those games being Saturday evening doubleheaders throughout the regular season.
Ion’s top-rated NWSL broadcast took place on July 6 when 234, 000 people watched a war of the then-undefeated Orlando Pride and Kansas City Current. The Pride snapped K. C.’s 17-match unbroken ability, which dated again to 2023. Orlando extended its unique 16-game winning run prior to the Olympic break for the league. ( Its run ended at 23 games last month against Portland. )
This was the first season of the NWSL’s four-year,$ 240 million broadcasting rights arrangement with CBS, ESPN, Scripps Sports (via Ion ) and Amazon’s Prime Video.
NWSL fans showed up to see Ion each week, according to Scripps Sports ‘ president Brian Lawlor in a statement. ” Second year was a fantastic experience. We anticipate expanding the crowd and expanding the fan base for the group in the future.
With a midnight dual and dedicated studio show, Ion’s protection of the soccer league is a rehash of what it did for the WNBA next season. The WNBA Friday Night Spotlight averaged 670, 000 people in its next year with WNBA right in the 2024 season, more than double the viewership figures from 2023.
Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever were involved in all seven of Ion’s million-plus popularity activities, so of course a singer quarterback watch was a huge part in those increased Nielsen figures.
Ion boasted the largest adult audience of any of the NWSL’s internet partners, just like it did with the W. For its NWSL channels, 57 % of the desired time 25-54 advertising revenue demonstration and 55 % of all people, regardless of age, were female. The community added over 20 advertising partners, including having Capital One as the presenting sponsor for the Saturday evening doubleheaders.
For the WNBA, 45 % of total people and 50 % of the period 18-49 ad revenue demonstration were female. ( The WNBA also has broadcast contracts with CBS Sports and ESPN. ) Compared to a year ago, twenty new advertising partners signed on in 2024.