Week 1 Ratings Predictions
Well it's that time again. What will the week 1 tv ratings look like? With the new ratings methodology Nielsen is utilizing, sports ratings have seen on average 5-8% increase from previous year. Here's my week 1 prediction.
Louisville-Birmingham on Fox: The #1 TV market vs the city that's trending first in google trends currently. I'm afraid this game might get out of reach in the second half but should still see a nice improvement over last seasons opening ratings. 750k
DC-St. Louis on ESPN: Biggest rivalry in the league but the early start might hurt some. Kinda wish this matchup was on Fox as opposed to the Texas Showdown. 575k
Houston-Dallas on Fox: This feels like it should be more of a rivalry than it is. Don't really expect much offense here and most likely the worst crowd of the weekend. 700k
Orlando-Columbus on ESPN: Primetime in Orlando with a team that seems to be gaining some steam in their market after a bit of a slow start ticket and marketing wise. My pick for game of the week. 620k.
Overall week 1 average: 661.25
3 replies
Replies (3)
Going to be tough on Friday night going up against NCAA tourney games overlaping. 650k
ESPN Sat DC/Stl I'll go 600k maybe...
Fox Sat Hou Dallas I'll go with you at 700k (but at least its 2 big TV mkts on Broadcast)
ESPN Col/Orlando I' was thinking hopefully just over 600, so I'll go with you 620k
Looks like you were spot on with Friday game. Although, tvseriesfinale.com is actually showing 800k viewers...hmm. 466k in Orlando and absolutely massive 933k for the showdown at the Dome. Still no word on the Texas showdown but even if it comes in at 575k that'll be an increase of ~100k viewers over week 1 last year.
LA - saw you posted a reply to article but reposting here as well. Ratings - this year with no Mike M we are going to have some question marks. Is Friday Fox 649k (PI), 663k (PI using 8pm start using prekick).
Then there is ESPN PR Tweet said their two games avg 718k, if the top one was 938k then the other was 498k, but PI had 466k.
I'm inclined to go with 498k for sunday night espn, it likely includes streaming. The Friday night game should include the 7 min of the pregame as that's UFL time slot.
Did see that 650k someone on reddit posted for Hou V Dallas - but like u say if he has insider info - not verified.
I'm going with my numbers above as ESPN PR is clearly saying 718k avg wk 1. The small diff in the Friday game is clearly a separation of the Pregame vs actual game and that also should be included as its UFL game tim/coverage. With that and the 650k from Friday - my way its 687k with, the other way 676k. Close either way.
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