ESPN Tallies Top BPL Ratings With ManU-Arsenal

ESPN2's coverage of the Dec. 13 Manchester United-Arsenal match scored with the biggest Premiership audience ever in the U.S.
The Red Devils' 1-0 victory over the Gunners averaged 438,000 homes and 570,000 viewers, according to Nielsen data, the most ever for a BPL match Stateside. ManU-Arsenal, which premiered on Monday afternoon (ET) surpassed the 420,000 homes and 526,000 viewers for Manchester United-Chelsea on Saturday April 3, 2010.
Through the first 21 matches of the season, ESPN2 has averaged a 0.3 household rating, 261,000 households and 324,000 viewers, increases of 50% in ratings (0.2), 24% in households (211,000) and 25% in viewers (260,000) versus the first 20 matches of the 2009-10 BPL season, according to ESPN officials.
Additionally, the Dec. 13 match now ranks as the most-viewed BPL telecast on ESPN Deportes, which is showing BPL games for the first time this season. ManU-Arsenal scored a 2.4 Hispanic coverage rating, translating into 125,000 Hispanic households and 175,000 Latino viewers.
ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes sublicense BPL rights from Fox Soccer Channel.
The following are the five most-viewed Premiership matches on U.S. cable TV, all of which have aired on ESPN2:
DateTime (ET)MatchupRatings / HHImps / P2+
Mon., Dec. 13, 20102:55 p.m.Manchester United vs. Arsenal0.4 / 438,000 / 570,000
Sat., April. 3, 20107:30 p.m.Manchester United vs. Chelsea0.4 / 420,000 / 526,000
Mon., Aug. 24, 20092:55 p.m.Liverpool vs. Aston Villa0.3 / 340,000 / 398,000
Mon., Aug. 23, 20102:55 p.m.Manchester City vs. Liverpool0.3 / 326,000 / 414,000
Sat., Sept. 25, 20107:30 a.m.Manchester City vs. Chelsea0.3 / 324,000 / 428,000