Ratings Roundup: ESPN’s Most-Watched NBA Regular Season Weeknight Early Game in Four Years, ESPN First Take Marks Most-Watched Month Since Dec. 2019

Ratings Roundup is a rundown of recent rating news and is derived from press releases and reports around the industry. In this week’s edition, ESPN’s Most-Watched NBA Regular Season Weeknight Early Game in Four Years, ESPN First Take Marks Most-Watched Month Since Dec. 2019 and more.

ESPN’s Most-Watched NBA Regular Season Weeknight Early Game in Four Years

The Milwaukee Bucks victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, October 26, was ESPN’s most-watched NBA regular season weeknight early game in four years – since November 2018 – according to Nielsen. The game generated 2,001,000 viewers across ESPN and ESPN2 combined. Viewership peaked with 2,523,000 at 10 p.m. ET.

Wednesday’s Bucks vs. Nets coverage also included the debut of the NBA in Stephen A’s World, which is the new NBA-focused alternate presentation on ESPN2. It is co-produced by Mr. SAS Productions, Omaha Productions and ESPN. NBA in Stephen A’s World garnered 10 percent of the overall average audience, drawing 202,000 viewers. The alternate presentation next airs on Wednesday, November 2, at 10 p.m. on ESPN2 for the Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers game. NBA in Stephen A’s World is also available to stream via ESPN+.

In addition, Wednesday’s late game – Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Denver Nuggets – averaged 1,816,000 viewers on ESPN.

The doubleheader averaged 1,915,000 viewers, up 37 percent from last season’s NBA on ESPN average.

Game 4 of the World Series on FOX Delivers Lights Out Gains Over 2021 and 2020

ESPN First Take Marks Most-Watched Month Since Dec. 2019 

In October, First Take saw its most-watched month since Dec. 2019. ESPN’s signature morning debate show, featuring Stephen A. Smith and host Molly Qerim, averaged 507,000 P2+ viewers in October, marking an increase of 16 percent year over year.

In the P18-49 demographic specifically, First Take also saw year-over-year audience growth of 25 percent in Oct.

Oct. also saw First Take on the road from HBCU Week at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex coinciding with the HBCU Week College Fair which offered on-the-spot acceptances and scholarships, as well as a special combined show with Get Up following a signature matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.

Phillies Game 3 Power Surge Drives Strong FOX Sports Viewership

FOX Sports Starts Strong with World Series Game 1 Stunner

Broncos vs. Jaguars in London: Most-viewed Event Ever on ESPN+

On Sunday, the first-ever exclusive NFL game on ESPN+ – the Denver Broncos 21-17 comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars from Wembley Stadium in London – became the most-viewed event ever on the industry-leading streaming service.

Foxtober Returns: FOX Scares Up Massive Viewership on Halloween Weekend

Foxtober Returns 🎃

Led by #AmericasGameoftheWeek & #WorldSeries, FOX scores three consecutive #1 telecasts across all networks Fri 10/28 to Sun 10/30

FOX NFL SUNDAY & BIG NOON SATURDAY also rank as the #1 pregame and CFB games of the day

The tale of a most-watched weekend ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/XzWyz7J3xT

— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) November 1, 2022

America’s Game of the Week Reigns as Most-Watched Telecast for Second Straight Week