Sports TV News

First XFL Game Peaks With 4 Million Viewers

“This year’s debut from the XFL was more successful than 2019’s Alliance of American Football League. The failed AAF had a peak of 2.9 million viewers in its first game, compared to the XFL’s 4 million.”

Published

2 years ago

February 10, 2020

BSM Staff

After more than two years of promoting the inaugural season of the XFL, the league’s reboot got off to a strong start Saturday. In its first game broadcast by ABC, the network announced an average of 3.3 million viewers, peaking at 4 million between 4:45-5:00pm ET.

The @xfl2020 on ESPN/ABC is off to a strong start! pic.twitter.com/ZjAzmTLmz9
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 10, 2020

The game saw the DC Defenders defeat the Seattle Dragons 31-19, with Washington DC serving as the home city.

It’s the second straight year a new football league launched the week after the Super Bowl. This year’s debut from the XFL was more successful than 2019’s Alliance of American Football League. The failed AAF had a peak of 2.9 million viewers in its first game, compared to the XFL’s 4 million.

Still, both leagues fell far short of the XFL’s first attempt at entering the professional football space, debuting Feb. 3, 2001 with a 9.5 rating on NBC. The XFL on NBC quickly declined from 9.5 in Week 1 to 4.6 in Week2, 3.1 in Week 3, bottoming out with a 1.5 by Weeks 9 and 10.

While it’s unrealistic to expect similar ratings nearly two decades later as TV viewing habits have modernized, the XFL still needs to avoid the trend of rapidly deteriorating audience numbers if they want to be more successful this time around.

Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here

BSM Staff

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After Losing Out On Big Ten Rights, ESPN Turns Focus to NCAA Championships

According to Front Office Sports, ESPN’s contract for 29 NCAA Championships ends in 2024.

Published

50 mins ago

August 9, 2022

BSM Staff

After reportedly losing out on the Big Ten’s television rights, ESPN is reportedly turning to securing the NCAA Championship rights from hitting the open market.

According to Front Office Sports, ESPN’s contract for 29 NCAA Championships ends in 2024. Those 29 championships include everything from Women’s basketball to ice hockey, wrestling, softball, and baseball. The network pays a reported $34 million for the rights to broadcast those championship events.

However, according to a study commissioned by the NCAA reveals that the women’s basketball tournament could be worth anywhere from $81 million to $112 million per year by its lonesome. The NCAA is reportedly considering selling the women’s basketball tournament rights as a standalone product in the next negotiation.

Sources told Front Office Sports ESPN remains interested in striking deals with the Pac-12 and Big 12 media rights, as well as renewing a deal for the College Football Playoff.

The news comes after Sports Business Journal’s John Ourand reported ESPN declined a final offer from the Big Ten for a portion of the conference’s media rights. The reported deal was seven years and $380 million per year.

BSM Staff

Sports TV News

ESPN Announces The Return of Stephen A. Smith to First Take

ESPN announced Smith will be returning to First Take on Monday, August 15th.

Published

1 hour ago

August 9, 2022

BSM Staff

First Take has been without it’s anchor since the day after the NBA Draft in June. That’s when the ESPN personality took some time off to undergo shoulder surgery and to rehabilitate. However, it appears the wait for his return is almost over.

ESPN announced with a tweet that Smith will be returning to First Take on Monday, August 15th. They also teased a guest appearance from Michael Irvin.

Monday, @stephenasmith returns to @FirstTake!

Don't miss a special, surprise-filled episode along with a guest appearance by #NFL Hall of Famer @michaelirvin88

10a ET | ESPN pic.twitter.com/8NchgPZ7sl
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 9, 2022

This comes a day after Smith tweeted that the countdown was on for his return and we are one week away from the event.

One week away from returning to @FirstTake…….and counting!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) August 8, 2022

BSM Staff

Sports TV News

Field Yates Re-Ups With ESPN

After the departure of Matthew Berry to NBC, ESPN has locked down fantasy expert Field Yates with a new contract to remain in Bristol.

Published

2 hours ago

August 9, 2022

BSM Staff

After the departure of Matthew Berry to NBC, ESPN has locked down fantasy expert Field Yates with a new contract to remain in Bristol.

Yates, 35, would have been a valuable target for FanDuel or DraftKings, surmises Andrew Marchand of The New York Post — who first reported the news — due to his large following on Twitter.

Yates, who also works as a host of Fantasy Football Now and NFL Insider for the network, across multiple platforms including ESPN Radio, will continue in those roles in addition to an assumed expansion of fantasy football duties after Berry’s exit.

He has worked for ESPN since 2012.

BSM Staff