FROM NCAA RELEASE
ESPN’s 30th consecutive NCAA Men’s College World Series was the most-viewed and highest-rated in ESPN and ESPN2 history — including the best-of-three Championship Series won by LSU over Texas — while posting significant audience increases over last year.
- Overall, ESPN averaged 1,450,000 households, 1,928,000 viewers and a 1.5 rating, marking increases of 33% (vs. 1,091,000), 37% (vs. 1,408,000) and 36% (vs. 1.1), respectively, over 2008.
- ESPN’s three Championship Series telecasts averaged 2,059,000 households; 2,762,000 total viewers; and a 2.1 rating, making it the most-viewed and highest-rated Series finals since the tournament expanded to the best-of-three format in 2003. This season’s games marked increases of 24% (vs. 1,664,000), 26% (vs. 2,193,000) and 24% (vs. 1.7), respectively, over last year.
- The Championship Series produced three of ESPN’s top four most-viewed NCAA College World Series telecasts ever, highlighted by the most-viewed and second highest-rated for the decisive Game 3 which averaged 2,303,000 households; 3,160,000 viewers; and a 2.3 rating.
- Game 2 stands as the third most-viewed with 1,964,000 households, 2,620,000 viewers and a 2.0 rating.
- Game 1 delivered 1,905,000 households, 2,500,000 viewers and a 1.9, making it the fourth most-viewed in ESPN history.
- ESPN2 averaged 821,000 households and 1,043,000 viewers for increases of 6% (vs. 771,000) and 6% (vs. 988,000), respectively, over last year. The network averaged a 0.8 rating, the same as last season.
