WNBA on ION more than doubles viewership from 2023 and delivers 23.37 million viewers during 2024 season
The WNBA on ION, part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), saw a significant increase in viewership during the 2024 season. Average viewership doubled with a 133% increase from 2023, reaching 670,000 viewers per game. The network attracted 23.37 million unique viewers across games and wrap shows, up from 12.3 million last year. Notably, the male audience (ages 25-54) grew by 181%.
ION broadcast a WNBA-high 43 regular-season games and 67 hours of content, including a new studio show. Seven telecasts exceeded an average of 1 million viewers. The network also delivered the largest percentage of female audience among networks airing WNBA games, with 50% of the 18-49 audience and 45% of the total audience being female.
La WNBA su ION, parte della E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), ha registrato un aumento significativo degli spettatori durante la stagione 2024. La media degli spettatori è raddoppiata con un aumento del 133% rispetto al 2023, raggiungendo 670.000 spettatori a partita. La rete ha attratto 23,37 milioni di spettatori unici tra le partite e i programmi di approfondimento, in aumento rispetto ai 12,3 milioni dell'anno scorso. È notevole che il pubblico maschile (età 25-54) sia cresciuto del 181%.
ION ha trasmesso un record di 43 partite di stagione regolare WNBA e 67 ore di contenuti, inclusa una nuova trasmissione in studio. Sette teletrasmissioni hanno superato una media di 1 milione di spettatori. La rete ha anche registrato la percentuale più alta di pubblico femminile tra le reti che trasmettono partite WNBA, con il 50% del pubblico tra i 18 e i 49 anni e il 45% del pubblico totale di sesso femminile.
La WNBA en ION, parte de The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), vio un aumento significativo en la audiencia durante la temporada 2024. La audiencia promedio se duplicó con un aumento del 133% con respecto a 2023, alcanzando 670,000 espectadores por partido. La red atrajo 23.37 millones de espectadores únicos entre partidos y programas de resumen, subiendo desde 12.3 millones el año pasado. Cabe destacar que la audiencia masculina (edades 25-54) creció un 181%.
ION transmitió un récord de 43 partidos de temporada regular de WNBA y 67 horas de contenido, incluido un nuevo programa de estudio. Siete telecasts superaron un promedio de 1 millón de espectadores. La red también ofreció el porcentaje más alto de audiencia femenina entre las redes que transmiten partidos de WNBA, con el 50% del público de 18 a 49 años y el 45% del público total siendo femenino.
ION에서 방영된 WNBA는 E.W. Scripps Company(나스닥: SSP)의 일부로 2024 시즌 동안 시청률이 크게 증가했습니다. 평균 시청자 수가 두 배로 증가했으며 2023년 대비 133% 증가하여 게임당 670,000명의 시청자에 도달했습니다. 이 네트워크는 게임과 요약 프로그램을 통해 2,337만 명의 고유 시청자를 유치했으며, 이는 지난해 1,230만 명에서 증가한 수치입니다. 특히, 남성 시청자(25-54세) 수는 181% 증가했습니다.
ION은 WNBA 정규 시즌 43경기의 최고 기록와 67시간의 콘텐츠를 방송했으며, 새로운 스튜디오 프로그램도 포함되었습니다. 7개의 방송이 평균 100만 명 이상의 시청자를 넘었습니다. 이 네트워크는 WNBA 게임을 방송하는 네트워크 중 여성 시청자 비율이 가장 높았습니다, 18세에서 49세 시청자의 50%와 전체 시청자의 45%가 여성으로 나타났습니다.
La WNBA sur ION, une filiale de The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a connu une augmentation significative des audiences pendant la saison 2024. La moyenne des audiences a doublé avec une augmentation de 133% par rapport à 2023, atteignant 670 000 spectateurs par match. Le réseau a attiré 23,37 millions de téléspectateurs uniques à travers les matchs et les émissions de récapitulation, en hausse par rapport à 12,3 millions l'année dernière. Notamment, le public masculin (âges 25-54) a augmenté de 181%.
ION a diffusé un nombre record de 43 matchs de saison régulière WNBA et 67 heures de contenu, y compris une nouvelle émission en studio. Sept diffusions ont dépassé une moyenne de 1 million de spectateurs. Le réseau a également présenté le plus grand pourcentage de spectateurs féminins parmi les réseaux diffusant des matchs de WNBA, avec 50% du public de 18-49 ans et 45% de l'audience totale étant féminine.
Die WNBA auf ION, Teil der E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), verzeichnete in der Saison 2024 einen signifikanten Anstieg der Zuschauerzahlen. Die durchschnittliche Zuschauerzahl hat sich verdoppelt mit einem 133%-igen Anstieg im Vergleich zu 2023, und erreichte 670.000 Zuschauer pro Spiel. Das Netzwerk zog 23,37 Millionen einzigartige Zuschauer bei Spielen und Wrap-Shows an, ein Anstieg von 12,3 Millionen im Vorjahr. Besonders bemerkenswert ist, dass die männliche Zuschauerzahl (Alter 25-54) um 181% wuchs.
ION übertrug WNBA-Rekordanzahl von 43 regulären Saisonspielen und 67 Stunden Inhalte, einschließlich einer neuen Studioshow. Sieben Übertragungen überschritten eine durchschnittliche Zuschauerzahl von 1 Million Zuschauern. Das Netzwerk lieferte auch den höchsten Anteil an weiblichen Zuschauern unter den Netzwerken, die WNBA-Spiele ausstrahlen, mit 50% des Publikums im Alter von 18-49 Jahren und 45% des Gesamtpublikums, das weiblich ist.
- Average viewership for WNBA games on ION increased by 133% from 2023
- Total unique viewers reached 23.37 million, up from 12.3 million in 2023
- Male audience (ages 25-54) grew by 181%
- Seven telecasts exceeded an average of 1 million viewers
- ION delivered the largest percentage of female audience among networks airing WNBA games
- Scripps added more than 20 new advertisers as ratings surged
- None.
Insights
The 133% increase in WNBA viewership on ION is a significant milestone for women's sports broadcasting. This surge, coupled with the 23.37 million unique viewers, demonstrates a growing appetite for women's basketball content. The 181% growth in male audience (ages 25-54) is particularly noteworthy, suggesting a broadening appeal beyond the traditional fan base.
The expansion to 43 regular-season games and 67 hours of content shows ION's commitment to the WNBA. The addition of studio shows and a purpose-built studio further enhances the viewing experience, potentially contributing to the increased engagement. With 7 telecasts exceeding 1 million viewers, the WNBA is proving its ability to draw substantial audiences, rivaling some men's sports broadcasts.
The 50% female audience in the 18-49 demographic is a strong indicator of the league's core appeal, while also suggesting room for growth among male viewers. The 3.7 million hours of viewing across various platforms highlights the importance of multi-channel distribution in today's media landscape.
The surge in WNBA viewership on ION presents a compelling case for advertisers. With over 20 new advertisers added as ratings increased, there's clear evidence of growing commercial interest. The 23.37 million unique viewers represent a substantial audience for brands to tap into, particularly given the diverse demographic reach.
The 100 million+ social media impressions indicate strong engagement beyond traditional broadcast, offering additional value for integrated marketing campaigns. The high percentage of female viewers (45% of P2+ audience) provides a unique opportunity for brands targeting this demographic.
The expansion of content, including studio shows, suggests a more immersive viewing experience, potentially leading to increased ad exposure and engagement. As the WNBA continues to grow its audience, early adopter brands may benefit from lower ad costs and increasing returns on investment as viewership trends upward.
For The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), the WNBA partnership appears to be a strategic success. The 133% increase in viewership and expansion to 43 games likely translates to higher ad revenue and potentially improved negotiating power for future rights deals. The addition of 20+ new advertisers indicates growing revenue streams and diversification of the company's advertising base.
The multi-platform approach, generating 3.7 million hours of viewing across various services, positions Scripps well in the evolving media landscape. This strategy could lead to additional revenue opportunities through platform-specific advertising and partnerships.
While specific financial figures aren't provided, the substantial growth in viewership and content hours suggests a positive trajectory for this segment of Scripps' business. Investors should monitor how this translates to bottom-line impact in future earnings reports, as well as any expansion of sports partnerships leveraging this success.
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) completed the second year of a multi-year agreement to televise weekly double-headers in primetime on Fridays during the regular season on ION, a national sports and entertainment broadcast network that reaches every
ION broadcast a WNBA-high 43 regular-season games and a league-high 67 hours of WNBA regular-season content, and this year added a studio show that aired before, in-between and sometimes after games. Scripps Sports also unveiled a new studio designed and built, in part, specifically for ION on WNBA studio shows.
Highlights of "WNBA Friday Night Spotlight on ION" Season 2*:
- WNBA games on ION averaged 670,000 P2+ viewers, a
133% increase from 2023. - Of the total reach of 23.37 million – up from 12.3 million last year – 9.46 million viewers P2+ only watched games on ION. (One-minute qualifier Live+SD; excludes repeat broadcasts and ESPND)
- 7 telecasts exceeded an average of 1 million viewers, topped by the Aug. 30 games between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky, a national broadcast, and the Minnesota Lynx and Dallas Wings, a local broadcast, which together drew an average of 1.6 million and peaked at 1.92 million.
- ION delivered the largest percentage of female audience of any network airing WNBA games this season –
50% of the ION P18-49 audience was female and45% of the P2+ audience was female. - ION delivered more than 3.7 million hours of viewing across the season, including via Roku, Samsung TV+, LG, Vizio, Xumo, Plex, Amazon Fire Channels, Pluto, CW and Tablo.
- Scripps added more than 20 new advertisers as ratings surged in the second year of WNBA broadcasts on ION.
- The WNBA on ION social media saw strong year-over-year growth, generating 100 million+ impressions on Instagram, X and Facebook through collaborations with players, teams and the league.
"This season was a big step forward for the WNBA and its players in terms of exposure both in arenas and on television," said Brian Lawlor, Scripps Sports president. "It was so fun to watch the momentum build throughout the season. Scripps is thrilled to have played a part in that."
"We are incredibly pleased with the success of our partnership with Scripps Sports, which has played a pivotal role in amplifying the reach and visibility of the WNBA season," said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. "Through this partnership, we've been able to showcase great basketball with a broader audience, deepening the connection between the league, the players and our growing fanbase while delivering record-breaking viewership numbers."
*Sources for data: Nielsen L+SD national panel one-minute qualifier for reach, average program performance 05/14/2024-09/13/2024; FAST – Roku, Samsung TV+, LG, Vizio, Xumo, Plex, Amazon Fire Channels, Pluto, CW and Tablo.
Media contacts: Scripps – Michael Perry, (513) 259-4718, michael.perry@scripps.com
WNBA contact: – Ron Howard, (201) 293-1068, rhoward@nba.com
Scripps Sports serves professional and college sports leagues, conferences and teams with local market depth and national broadcast reach. Scripps Sports currently has partnerships with the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2024 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the 2023 Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, the new Utah Hockey Club and the NCAA's Big Sky Conference. Scripps Sports is a division of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a Fortune 1000 American media company.
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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company
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