NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 15: Adam Nemec #32 of New York City FC takes the ball in the second half against the New England Revolution during the inaugural game of the New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on March 15, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City.The New York City FC defeated the New England Revolution 2-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 15: Adam Nemec #32 of New York City FC takes the ball in the second half against the New England Revolution during the inaugural game of the New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on March 15, 2015 in the Bronx borough of New York City.The New York City FC defeated the New England Revolution 2-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Manchester United-Crystal Palace Thriller is Most Watched FA Cup Final Ever on FOX Network
FOX broadcast network’s first-ever FA Cup-MLS doubleheader on Saturday, May 21, produced one epic finish, one intra-city blowout and two strong viewership stories.
Jesse Lingard’s remarkable goal in extra time to give Manchester United a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup Final delivered 1.018 million viewers, +26% in total viewers compared to the 2015 final (809,000 viewers) when Arsenal defeated Aston Villa. Saturday’s FA Cup presentation ranks as the most-watched FA Cup Final on the network since FOX began airing the competition in 2013.
Immediately following, eyes turned to MLS Heineken Rivalry Week as the New York Red Bulls hammered crosstown rivals New York City FC, 7-0, at Yankee Stadium. Despite the one-sided nature of the affair, the match delivered 595,000 total viewers, making it MLS’s most-watched regular-season telecast on any network since October 2014.
