Fox Sees Record-Setting Viewership with Soccer Coverage, Boosting Entertainment Programming

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ICARO Media Group
News
12/07/2024 21h28

In a summer marked by thrilling soccer tournaments, Fox has experienced unprecedented success with its coverage, leading to a surge in viewership across both sports and entertainment programming. According to the latest data, viewing minutes across Fox's entertainment and sports programs have skyrocketed by 57% compared to last year, reaching a staggering 18.5 billion minutes across platforms.

The majority of this surge in viewership can be attributed to the popularity of soccer, which has seen remarkable growth of 66%, amassing a whopping 12.4 billion minutes. Meanwhile, entertainment content has generated 6.1 billion minutes, representing a significant 42% increase from the previous summer.

Fox has been breaking records with its viewership for both the European Championship and Copa America, captivating audiences throughout the tournaments. Notably, all four semifinal matches garnered impressive viewership for soccer on U.S. English-language television, even in the absence of the US Men's National Team. The tremendous interest in soccer has translated into increased viewership for Fox's overall network, benefiting all of its entertainment programming.

Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade expressed his enthusiasm for the success, stating, "With audiences expecting year-round originals and sports, there's no vacation in television. Getting Fox to the top spot are popular series like our new game shows, The Quiz with Balls and The 1% Club, plus an outstanding lineup from our friends at Fox Sports. It's great to see audiences beating the heat and enjoying our refreshing summer schedule."

The network's impressive performance is evident in the ratings, with Fox ranking as the No. 1 entertainment programming choice for adults aged 18-49 with a 0.38 rating and adults aged 25-54 with a 0.54 rating after seven days of viewing. In primetime, Fox has witnessed a remarkable 43% surge in adults aged 18-49, and a significant 40% increase in total viewers compared to the previous year.

The success story extends to Fox's new game shows, The 1% Club and The Quiz with Balls, which have garnered a strong 0.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic following seven days of viewing. Additionally, other unscripted offerings such as WWE's Smackdown, Masterchef: Generations, and Beat Shazam have contributed to Fox's impressive viewership numbers this summer.

As the thrilling finals of the Copa America and the European Championship approach, there may be a temporary dip in sports programming viewership. However, Fox is expected to maintain a strong audience throughout the summer, especially with the highly anticipated WWE's SummerSlam event nearing in August. Smackdown, a consistent performer for Fox, is expected to draw even more viewership in conjunction with major WWE events.

Looking ahead, the performance of game shows and additional unscripted content will play a crucial role in sustaining Fox's success until the start of the fall broadcast season, which coincides with the highly anticipated football season. With its record-setting viewership and a strong lineup of programming, Fox is poised to ride the wave of summer success well into the upcoming months.

In conclusion, Fox's soccer coverage has not only captivated audiences but also bolstered the network's overall viewership. With a combination of thrilling sports events and engaging entertainment programming, Fox continues to dominate the summer ratings, setting the stage for a promising future.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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