Fox has experienced a significant surge in viewership this summer, with a 57% increase in total viewing minutes compared to last year. The majority of this growth can be attributed to its extensive coverage of soccer events such as the European Championship and Copa America, which have seen a 66% increase in viewing minutes to an impressive 12.4 billion. In contrast, entertainment content has also seen a boost, generating 6.1 billion minutes, a 42% rise from the previous summer. This increase in viewership has allowed Fox to set records for both tournaments, showcasing the growing popularity of soccer in the United States.
Fox’s success extends beyond its sports coverage, with its entertainment programming also seeing a positive impact from the increased viewership. The network has managed to secure the top spot in entertainment programming among adults 18-49 and adults 25-54, with a 0.38 and 0.54 rating respectively. In primetime, Fox has seen a 43% increase in adult 18-49 viewership, demonstrating a significant boost in its overall performance. The introduction of new game shows such as The 1% Club and The Quiz with Balls has been particularly successful, with both shows tied at a 0.3 rating in the 18-49 demo after seven days of viewing.
In addition to its game shows, Fox has also been supported by other unscripted programming such as WWE’s Smackdown, Masterchef: Generations, and Beat Shazam. These shows have contributed to the network’s strong numbers this summer, providing a diverse range of content for viewers to enjoy. However, with the finals of the Copa America and Euros approaching, there may be a slight dip in Fox’s sports programming and a subsequent impact on its overall audience. This trend is expected for most networks, as other major events like NBC’s Paris Olympics coverage are set to dominate the sports programming landscape.
Despite the potential challenges ahead, Fox is likely to maintain a strong audience throughout the summer, especially with WWE’s SummerSlam on the horizon in August. Shows like Smackdown have proven to be consistent performers for the network, particularly during big WWE events. Moving forward, the network will need to focus on how its game shows and unscripted content continue to perform in order to sustain its success until the start of the fall broadcast season and football season. Overall, Fox’s summer programming has benefited greatly from the surge in soccer viewership, showcasing the network’s ability to adapt to changing viewer preferences and capitalize on popular sporting events.
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