ABC Delivers Best MLS Cup Audience On Disney Media Networks Since 2014

The ABC broadcast of Sunday’s 2019 MLS Cup Presented by Audi – a Seattle Sounders’ 3-1 victory over Toronto FC – averaged 823,000 viewers (P2+), according to Nielsen fast nationals, making it the most-watched MLS Cup match on the Disney Media Networks since 2014.

Sunday’s audience is a three percent increase over the last MLS Cup on the Disney networks in 2017 (803,000 viewers on ESPN) and the company’s most-viewed Major League Soccer championship match since 2014 (964,000 on ESPN).

The 2019 MLS Cup audience peaked late in the second half (4:45-5 p.m. ET) with 1,092,000 million viewers. Locally, Seattle-Tacoma, the MLS Cup host market, averaged a 13.2 rating, the best MLS Cup rating on record for this market. (Note: Toronto is not a Nielsen market.)

2019 MLS Cup caps a record-setting MLS Playoffs for the Disney Media Networks. Prior to Seattle-Toronto, the five ESPN/ESPN2 matches combined for a 36 percent audience increase, while the LAFC-LA Galaxy Western Conference semifinal on Oct. 24 delivered ESPN’s best MLS Cup Playoffs audience in five years. This year is also the most-watched MLS postseason on ESPN Deportes, which is up an impressive 235 percent.

SOURCE: ESPN