MLS Cup overnights rise 29%
TMC
Despite moving from broadcast to cable, overnight ratings improved for
the MLS Cup.
Sunday night's Real Salt Lake/Galaxy matchup drew a 0.9 overnight
rating on ESPN, up 29% from a 0.7 for last year's afternoon Crew/Red
Bulls tilt on ABC, and tied as the highest overnight for the event
since '05.
To put that in perspective, David Beckham's debut with the Galaxy in
July '07 drew a 1.2 overnight on ESPN.
Overnight ratings for the MLS Cup since '99
Year Date Game Net Rating
2009 Sun., 11/22/09 Real Salt Lake/Galaxy ESPN
0.9
2008 Sun., 11/23/08 Crew/Red Bulls ABC
0.7
2007 Sun., 11/18/07 Dynamo/Revolution ABC
0.9
2006 Sun., 11/12/06 Dynamo/Revolution ABC
0.8
2005 Sun., 11/13/05 Galaxy/Revolution ABC
1.0
2004 Sun., 11/14/04 United/Wizards ABC
0.8
2003 Sun., 11/23/03 Earthquakes/Fire ABC
0.9
2002 Sun., 10/20/02 Galaxy/Revolution ABC
1.0
2001 Sun., 10/21/01 Earthquakes/Galaxy ABC
1.2
2000 Sun., 10/15/00 Wizards/Fire ABC
1.0
1999 Sun., 11/21/99 United/Galaxy ABC
1.0