Week 8 summary and Col at Birm - Summary & Predictions
Well didn't have time to get my predictions posted but in honesty here's how'd hae gone-
Winner/Attendance/TV viewers
Already played:
OS at DR: Dallas/5k/700k - That big run by Jack P was the dagger
DC at LK: DC/10k/925k - Ta'amu getting hurt and LK halftime adjustments paid off
HG at StL: HG/20k/925k - Houston lost too many nail biters, attendance rebounded a bit
Just 1-2 on winners but DC QB situation, and LK on a roll; Perez pick 6 diff in game in StL
Col at BS: CA/6.5k/650k - Col back against wall, Birm didn't look good last week in big win, we may never know TV know
Good weather around the country may hurt TV this week, Memorial w/e may be better than expected with weather outlook (at least as of now) not looking good
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TV Viewership Week 8 (BTW I just about nailed the ABC ratings in total) 3 of 4 games
Orlando Storm vs Dallas Renegades – 605K (FOX) - ProgInsider avg with K/O
DC Defenders vs Louisville Kings – 850K (ABC) - per Mike Repole on Radio/Podcast (i listened) see reddit link below
Houston Gamblers vs St. Louis Battlehawks – 950K (ABC) - per above MR
https://www.reddit.com/r/UnitedFootballLeague/comments/1tk4xdf/per_ufl_coowner_mike_repole_on_the_game_on_with/
ProgInsider link
https://programminginsider.com/sheriff-country-on-cbs-remains-the-most-watched-friday-night-network-series/
Per SBJ, ratings are up marginally from last year at this point at 624k compared to 622k. Last year there was only 1 FS1 game and no ESPN2. This year we've had 4 FS1 games, 2 NFLN, and 2 upcoming ESPN2 games. The fact overall ratings are up at all is a testament to growth. Had we seen a similar network setup as last year the average would be closer to 675k.
LAX - Good catch on latest TV ratings from SBJ. I have adjusted the FOX games down that were estimates thru week 8, as the ABC/ESPN games and NFLN/FS1 games have been posted else where. And my numbers thru week 8 2025 are also 622k so looks like those #'s are legit. Your are correct that there are more low level network games in 2026 vs 2025 likely causing and apples to oranges drop. But I only see 3 FS1 game not 4. Am I missing one?
Some other TV numbers on the season:
2026; 2025
A tale of ups and downs...
Up ABC thru week 8: 948k avg a game (8 games); 2025 full reg season avg 858k (9 games)
Up ESPN thru week 8: 558k avg a game (6 games); 2025 full reg season avg 443k (10 games)
Down* FS1 thru week 8: 252k avg a game (3 games); 2025 full reg season avg 516k (1 games)
Down FOX thru week 8: 617k avg a game (13 games); 2025 full reg season avg 658k (18 games)
Fox is lagging 2025 and the increase in # of FS1 games has hurt, but their one game following nascar waas 478k -2026 and 516k in 2025. very close.
And... The inclusion of 2 low visibility games on NFLN for 175k avg also has dragged ratings.
Like LAX said overall w/b up if not for the 2 outlier FS1 and NFLN games. I m concerned about FOX viewership numbers too.
In Summary:
If you exclude (low visibility/ low availability cable channels) the 2 extra FS1 games and 2 NFLN games from only 2026, the UFL is averaging 694k over 28 games.
In 2025 YTD week 8 with the same tv networks you get 622k. This is a true Apples to Apples comparison, the UFL is actually up 72k per game this year.
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