FOX SPORTS LIVE Posts 73 Percent Audience Growth
FOX SPORTS LIVE, FOX Sports 1’s flagship highlight, news and opinion program, posted an impressive opening to the 2015 calendar year, according to figures released by Nielsen. The show’s first hour posted a +73% increase among all viewers in first quarter 2015 compared to the first three months of 2014 (149,000 vs. 86,000). In addition, the show showed a significant 48% gain in the key Adult 18-49 demographic (62,000 vs. 42,000).
From an audience standpoint, FOX SPORTS LIVE’s increases were highlighted by the delivery of four of the top 10 and nine of the top 30 highest-rated shows since launch, peaking with the Saturday, Feb. 21 edition that drew 2,485,000 viewers for the first hour, the second most-watched show since it premiered in 2013.
“The format of the show has evolved considerably in the past 18 months,” executive producer Michael Hughes said. “I’m proud of our willingness to try things, make adjustments when necessary and work tirelessly to find a formula that resonates with our audience.”
Among the format changes have been a renewed focus on extended blocks of uninterrupted highlights and news guided by unconventional anchors Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole. Those blocks have been supplemented by the integration of features and exclusive interviews from a creative group that recently received seven Sports Emmy nominations.
“Jay and Dan have always been an integral part of the equation at FOX SPORTS LIVE, and now, more than ever, we feel like there is an emphasis on showcasing their unique style and unparalleled chemistry,” Hughes said.
Also driving the larger audience numbers was an increase in time spent watching the show, as the first quarter saw average length of stay grow 27% from the same period in 2014. Additionally, audience retention showed gains, as the first hour of FOX SPORTS LIVE held an average of 35% of the audience from the previous quarter-hour of lead-in programming.
FOX SPORTS LIVE airs every night of the week at 11:00 PM ET on FOX Sports 1.
