YES Widens Lead As Most-Watched RSN in Q3

Officials at YES Network said the channel widened its lead as the most-watched regional sports network in primetime and total-day during the third quarter.

The RSN, the cable home to the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets, averaged 73,000 households in the New York DMA during the third quarter, according to Nielsen data, a 26% jump from the 58,000 in the second quarter of 2014.  

As such, YES expanded its primetime delivery edge by 33% over the second-ranked RSN, FS Detroit, in the third quarter, versus a 23% advantage over NESN in the second quarter.

That primetime performance also gave YES an 87% lead over the 39,000 average for the next most-watched New York-based RSN, SNY, in the quarter. YES’s 73,000 average household mark nipped the combined 72,000 for SNY’s and MSG in the period.

Relative to total day, YES averaged 28,000 households in the New York market, up 17% from its second-quarter average of 24,000 in the second quarter. Those tallies pushed YES ahead of FS Detroit by 47% in the most recently completed quarter, up from 41% in the second quarter, when NESN placed second with this measure.

In New York, YES’ total-day delivery outpaced SNY and MSG’s 25,000 combined average through the third quarter.

YES’s prime product, New York Yankees game telecasts, averaged 223,000 households in the New York DMA during the 2014 season -- the last campaign for future Hall of Famer, Derek Jeter (pictured) --  a 15% year-over-year increase from the 194,000 for Bronx Bombers’ games in the 2013 campaign.

On the demo watch, 2014 Yankees’ telecasts registered a 28% advance among men 25 to 54; 20% against guys 18+ and adults 25 to 54; and 18% versus persons 2+ and those 18 and older.